Is it normal to feel guilty when there’s a lull? How do you guys recommend filling the time?

Yes, it’s a consequence of measuring our worth via the billable hour. In my opinion, it’s the worst part about working at a law firm.

It gets easier with time, but I always try to remind myself of how miserable I am when I’m at full capacity...it makes me appreciate the slow times a little more!

You have two questions. First is it normal to feel guilty when there is a lull. The answer is yes that is a normal reaction and quite common until you experience a lull or two and then you will realize that it is a normal occurrence in the practice. I have a high scale IP litigation practice. When I’m on a case I am on and VERY busy. Then the case settles or we win and there is a lull until the next case comes (and the next case ALWAYS comes). As you see this you will begin to know the lulls come and go. It’s ok.

So the next question is how do you fill your time. My answer would depend on what was going on before the “lull”. First priority is you, your health and your family. Rest, reconnect, read non legal related books just for fun, cook, exercise, paint or whatever other interest you may have - enjoy free time, get back on track physically and mentally -health is key. Take a vacation. Next, from a business perspective, network, network, network -internally within your firm and externally. Next after that for me would be things you could do to build your reputation and credibility in the marketplace - speak, write, go to conferences, attend CLE.
Best advice I got as a young lawyer - part of being a professional is knowing that you need to recharge and get away in order to be the best that you can be - as a professional you use your judgement as to WHEN you take that time off, but you also use your Judgement to KNOW that you need to take time off.

Hope this helps.

My hours have been low for a bit and terrible this past week. I sometimes get distracted with other non-billable things which only makes my lack of hours that much worse. Sometimes I beat myself up for not focusing enough when work is slow. But I’ve realized I never have that problem when I’m slammed. I think it was Posner who said something like an attorney with 6 hours of work per day will never get anything done but an attorney with 8 hours of work definitely will. (Forgive the butchering and perhaps mis-attribution.) But I’ve discovered that any day I don’t have a lot going on requires far more concerted effort on my part to get much done. But if I know I have a lot to do, I can be very productive. Not a great thing. But one I’ve seen of plenty of people in addition to myself.

I had a slow week. I took some Free CLE courses and recorded that time so it didn’t look like I was just at home lounging. Once I was done with that, I hung out and relaxed.

No. Nothing you feel in practicing law should ever be described as “normal.”

I use the slow times to write articles, take CLE, and work on marketing.

Lawyers complain when they are too busy and when they aren’t busy enough. As you can guess, that is 90% of their careers. Use a lull to sharpen your skills and market.

Enjoy it; it won't last. My 3-month lull just ended and I'm all of a sudden as busy as I've ever been.

I’m on a trial team that goes to trial a lot, so when we have a lull, everyone takes advantage of it with no guilt.

Enjoy the lull by doing non-legal things that you enjoy! After 15 years, I can tell you lulls do not last so don’t feel guilty. I like to turn it around and focus on the fact I have earned the lull.

I understand the guilty feeling. Chock it up to you having a good work ethic. But man, I do enjoy a good lull.

Communicate your lull with partners to see if you can take on additional projects. This shows that you’re proactive and also communicates that you have capacity, which they may not otherwise know of. Alternatively, take on pro bono work, write articles or engage in other marketing activities, or catch up on CLEs.

I honestly don’t know how you can be a lawyer and feel like you are in a lull. Maybe it’s my personality but the way I’ve always thought about it is that a lawyer is essentially the CEO of their law practice. Making your bosses and their clients happy is part of it, but aren’t there things in the world that you want to accomplish just for you? Taking up a pro bono or civic cause, business development, writing articles, building products for internal use? I guess I just always have my side hustle that never runs out of ideas and when I’ve been slow I’ll get to focus on those things more.

Sleep. Precious sleep.

It’s very normal and scary especially if you’re a sole practitioner .But as a friend of mine says, “ there’s a million dollar case on the next telephone call.

To feel productive, join bar committees and read Garner type books for personal growth

The worst I ever have felt in my whole career is how I have during lulls. Each time feels like work is drying up and I am screwed. Invariably, it ends within a couple weeks (or much less) and I am back to wanting to give anything for a little time and space. It never is as bad as it feels during the lull.

Agreed on a lot of the above. I had that same thought today when I left a few minutes before 6pm and also questioned why I was feeling guilty in the first place. Several partners have told me over the years to take advantage of any “lull” bc it likely will not last for too long (another case/matter always comes along). All the time fillers suggested above are good and what I have done. I was able to coach soccer for 2 seasons (the second being harder bc work had gone back to crazy busy level, but I figured it out and made it work). If your firm is set up by practice group, you can also see if any other group needs some help on a case or particular issue. Also a good time to get involved in community-related projects.

But, definitely do not feel guilty. Or if you do, just try and talk yourself out of that feeling. It too shall pass...

Share the lull!!!

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