I’m wondering whether and how other firms credit time spent by associates on business development for purposes of meeting the annual billable hours target. Is such time fully credited?

I heard so much about minimum billable hours here by staff. I never saw that email. Is it inly for certain groups?

Is it just me or the average billable work in infrastructure transactions has blown off steam in the last couple of weeks?

To the post below- it is quiet, so I’ll bite!
Does anyone know about associate compensation at the regional Atlantic Canada firms? The the big ones have all been posting job ads for associates in the 3-5 year range. Any insight on salary and billable targets?

Looking to leave a govt job for a junior attorney role in a small workers comp defense firm. I have no experience in workers comp. How easy is it to learn the work and make 1850 billable hours? What future opportunities does this experience give?

Getting over heartbreak and having a full time job is torture lol. My boyfriend and I just broke up after almost a year of being together. It was such a beautiful relationship but ultimately he just didn’t love me. I love him so much. My mind knows that I deserve reciprocal love and I’m worthy, but I feel physically ill. My body hurts, my stomach is in knots, my head hurts. How is it that I have to mend a broken heart but also meet my billable hours lmao

It’s hard to trust the partners/leadership when they want us to return to office as being better when we increase offshoring? Also, the pressure on billable hours when all that really matters is how much our fixed labor costs vs. how much we can bill (which is usually fixed fee or at least a range) and the fixed labor costs of offshoring is significantly cheaper so the hours don’t matter. Am I mistaken by this viewpoint?

Does anyone run a business in addition to their firm? I’m a solo and I’m doing pretty well with about 60-70 billable hours a month. Though that leaves a lot of downtime. Curious if anyone has any second businesses that require about 20 hours a week. Not looking for passive income or franchise ideas though.

I'm a long time prosecutor getting into the ID game and billable hours. Are there any resources out there that can help me get more effective/efficient without spending months/years learning the hard way? Some days I'm at the office 10 hours, took virtually no breaks and yet only bill 7. 🤬

Recently lateraled as a public defender in HCOL area to ID in LCOL area for $$$. I’ve been at the job a little over a month. My concerns are that I’m getting very little guidance or mentorship, and I’m worried about not hitting billable hours (2000 requirement but I am just over 80 for the first month). I am only in charge of a ~5 cases atm and struggle with figuring out the next steps, etc. I’ve met all my deadlines that have come up. Thoughts or advice?

How do firms give bonuses to associate attorneys? Quarterly, monthly, annually? What is a bonus based on? Money recieved, billable hours, etc?

I'm looking to set up a bonus structure for a new associate.

How many billable hours per week is considered at capacity? I’m getting pushback on boundaries I’m setting about additional matters and marketing work from my firm when I’ve been billing 60-75 hours per week for the last 6 weeks, and I’m still behind on my work. I feel like it’s reasonable to not kill myself further to fit in more/turn things around faster at this point, but am I being unreasonable? I expect my workload to remain at this level through the end of the year at least.

Have any of you taken "low bono" clients while working at a firm? I want to take on a low bono client or two but not sure who would get the money. This is a contract opportunity through a non profit so I'm assuming a 1099 will be issued. The per hour rate is significantly less than my billable rate. I would (obviously) like the money but my real objective is just getting experience/networking since I recently moved to a new state and don't have clients of my own.

Did the billable hours bonus not get paid out today? Or is it to be paid in the next check?

I’ve been a freelance print production designer for many years, and usually on-site in the before times. Now I work remote, and am finding it uneasy dealing with billing. Before I always billed hourly, which made sense, but it’s becoming an issue now. Some companies don’t have a full days’ work, so it seems wrong to bill full days, and it allows me to juggle projects for different companies, but my billable hours are down. I know I should bill a daily rate, but not sure that will fly. Thoughts?

Any insight into Jackson Lewis NYC office? Compensation, billable hours, WLB? I would be a 2-3 year

So who else here is experiencing plummeting billable hours and exponential weight gain since this whole WFH thing started? Bought snacks for 30 days, finished in 48 hours.

What does bench life look like for you?
For me a typical day looks like this
9 am- sign in and check emails
930-11 : look for a new job
11-2 lunch and nap
2-3 : sometimes meetings, mostly begging people for billable work
3-4:30 - proposal work if I have it or more job hunting
5-9pm family time and dinner
10-3am - netflix, videogames, cry myself to sleep

Curious to know what other firm's bonus structures are, particularly those with billable requirements of 1900 and below. Trying to understand what the norm is and figure out if associates at my firm are getting screwed. thanks

I’m a 9th year in a mostly litigation-based practice group at a one-tier partnership firm. My group’s billable hours have been low the last few years, so making partner will be nearly impossible, and a counsel position is not viable long-term in my group. What’s the best option here if partnership is the ultimate goal? Try to get a NEP/counsel position at another firm, which is likely difficult in my market, or offer to take a class cut by a few years?

Hi fellow fishes,
Are there any current openings in Logistics and Supply Chain field (preferably Consultancies, FMCGs) for someone with 2+ years experience in the same field at Maruti Suzuki India Limited.
I have done my bachelor's from MNNIT-Allahabad.
Would be grateful for any good leads!!
Thanks in advance.

Do we have Cab facility for NatWest Bangalore??

HI Fishes,

Sent documents after I got a select mail from HR on last Thursday. When can I expect offer letter?. Verbally HR confirmed that joining date will be in last week of Dec . Is it fingers crossed for me? or will I get the offer for sure? Much needed for me now at this point of time. Any insights from previous experience would help me stay sharp

WEEKLY DEAL THREAD: POST LINKS TO SHOPPING DEALS HERE - March 23

Having 8 yrs of experience in manual Testing
What to desperately change my skill and switch to automation
How difficult would that be ?
Oppertunity wise ?

Is there a role for a CPA that wants to get into data analytics? Senior audit associate now that wants to exit to get experience with SQL, Python etc. but don’t want to start all over. What roles can I look at where I could leverage my CPA experience but still learn about analytics?

Hello Fishes,

I recently got offer from Infosys Limited for Senior Associate Consultant role.
YOE : 4.8
CTC offered : 10.17 Fixed + 1.13 Variable

Am I being underpaid? Should I look for opportunities?

What’s your state doing to advance equity in edu? In CA we talk a lot about equity at the student/class levels, but aren’t addressing issues around financial equity and cultural equity in schools.

How do I compare two sheets to make sure they are identical?

How do I set the formula to calculate “If x falls between 1-10, return 1-10, if it falls between 11-20, return 11-20, and so on”

Has anyone had an issue with index match and lookups returning NA when trying to manipulate data from a password protected workbook?

Is it possible to round a number (say rounding $98 to $100) without losing precision in following calcs? So I only want to round visually and I want the calcs from that cell to remain off the $98 not $100

Hi fishes,

1.What level/ band does the principal consultant role at infosys map to? Is it equivalent to Director or Sr Mgr level?
2. How are the projects and opportunities with lifesciences practice? Are there any on-site opportunities?

Thanks in advance

Hi all, had a situation I need some help with. PE fund owned interest in a bank that was a CFC that has 965 PTEP. Recently sold off part of it's interest and the bank is no longer considered a CFC. Under the new PFIC regs, I believe it qualifies as a PFIC. How would distributions be treated seeing as it would still qualify as a specified foreign corp?

I have an interview for an in house position (only attorney) at a small non-profit focused on conservation easements. I am a transactional associate at a mid sized law firm. The prospect of freedom from the billable hour and contributing to meaningful work are the draws. The cons are that while the salary at the non-profit would only be slightly less than what I am making now, pay increases and opportunities for advancement will be much less than where I am now. Thoughts on making the shift?

Giving a CLE on practical tips for young lawyers, which focuses on practical tips such as looking for leadership opportunities and client development. We want to give a hand out of resources we’d recommend, like books, podcast, etc. Any recommendations for resources we should include?

Bankruptcy folks: I read that Alex Jones was able to put himself into bankruptcy by claiming he owed a giant debt to a company he controls. Is it really that easy? I would have thought bankruptcy laws would be smarter than that.

Dumb question: If a firm wants to run a conflicts, do you just type up a list or do you request from current firm?

Took a role out of desperation and it was a big mistake. The firm was toxic and crazy revolving door. After only a few months I was fired "for cause" even though no cause was actually given. Is this the end of my career?

How does one transition from litigation to transactional? Am in labor and employment lot. 4th year.

For exhibits to motions/responses in federal court, do law clerks prefer (1) citations to doc numbers or (2) attach exhibits to motion, even if the docs have already been filed with the court.

Recommendations on an exceptional career coach who can help my husband? He works with his brother at a startup his brother founded (my husband is in-house counsel) but often finds himself belittled by his brother, cut out of conference calls and emails and generally feeling like he has no skills. He's an ivy league graduate and went to a great law school but for many reasons cannot leave this job right now. Looking for someone to help w/his confidence level and ways to approach his brother. TIA!

Niche practice area, and thinking about moving firms. Without moving cities, there are really only 2 options. I think both would make me an offer and create a position. How should I approach this?

Any thoughts on Latham’s IP Litigation practice in the Bay Area?

Should I transfer my UBE to a few other jurisdictions just so that I can be licensed in other states? Any cons aside from CLEs/costs?

Has anyone taken  ACAMS Certified Global Sanctions Specialist (CGSS)? Any comments/ reviews? How has it enhanced your employability? Why did you take the CGSS?

I'm a long time prosecutor getting into the ID game and billable hours. Are there any resources out there that can help me get more effective/efficient without spending months/years learning the hard way? Some days I'm at the office 10 hours, took virtually no breaks and yet only bill 7. 🤬

Oil and gas attorneys what do you do?

I’m a second year BigLaw associate that pays market. I was offered the position at a modified salary and hourly expectation due to their expected work flow needs. I’m wondering what is the best way to approach the topic of getting on the full salary/hours. Do I wait until the bonuses are given at the end of my first year? Or bring it up at mid-year review? I won’t have any problem meeting my hourly so I’m starting to think I’m being underpaid. I’ve been reading on here that not meeting

How many billable hours per week is considered at capacity? I’m getting pushback on boundaries I’m setting about additional matters and marketing work from my firm when I’ve been billing 60-75 hours per week for the last 6 weeks, and I’m still behind on my work. I feel like it’s reasonable to not kill myself further to fit in more/turn things around faster at this point, but am I being unreasonable? I expect my workload to remain at this level through the end of the year at least.

Calendar question re excel:

Does anyone know if there's a way to exclude holidays when calculating a date in excel? Or to exclude a range of dates where I could insert a chart for holidays to exclude? I tried the WORKDAYS function, which works great, except it excludes werkends and holidays. I'm looking for a way to exclude holidays only.

Tips on giving notice over the phone? I’m required to be in the office 5 days a week but the two partners I work for never come on Fridays or Monday mornings

Info on Segal McCambridge? Culture, pay, hrs etc.. bonus if any insight for NYO