Is there an average number of billable hours for first year associates? I’m about 2 months into clerking and get barred in about 2 weeks and the firm I’m at has me set at a fairly high billable minimum. I haven’t hit it yet and I’m getting nervous because I’m starting month 3 and gonna try to hit it so I don’t start facing possible adverse affects (losing vacation days, getting bumped from salaries to hourly, etc.). It’s a very small firm...

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What’s the billable requirement? Is it monthly or yearly? It seems stupid to punish a first year like that for not hitting hours since it’s entirely up to the partners to bring in work.

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yeah this is actually a higher floor than most biglaw firms are willing to say outloud (not all, but most) and the idea that your hours count when you’ve just started practice is really crazy. you don’t even know what you’re doing yet! maybe worth confirming the hours requirement doesn’t kick in at jan 1? that’s a bit more standard

Usually firms realize that there is a ramp up period during which a new person gets their feet under them. Is there someone that you can talk to about this? The head of my department took me aside and told me not to worry for the first year.

Note that many firms slow down around the holidays so you may have even less work. If you are planning to leave anyway, I wouldn’t panic too much about it. Just keep your head down, do your work, and collect your paycheck.

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What area of law?

It’s predominantly personal injury but officially “general civil litigation”

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