Is there typically a grace period to get billable requirements met when starting at a new firm? I started the first week of May. I'm about 90 hours short of a 170 requirement for the month. I have work, but it's big file review type stuff that takes a lot of actual time. Should I be sending out resumes, or killing myself to get these hours in by the 31st? I'm not a new lawyer, but am new to this practice area. They poached me from my last firm.

likehelpful
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

C’mon you’re 100% fine. Our collective work life balance is never going to improve if people keep thinking this way.

like

I was given a ramp up period my first 90 days. 25% month one, 50% month two and 75% month 3. I’ve been over the targets each month, but it does take the stress away.

like

I’ve always heard it’s kind of expected not to hit your target the first month or so at a new firm. As long as you’re producing good work, I don’t think you should sweat it. You can make up for it down the road.

like

Thanks guys!

Related Posts

So I have completely lost interest in my area of practice mainly because I haven’t been exposed to many matters (our team is really slow) and I am the most junior in the team. So billable work is never constant. I feel like this has impacted my interest and stagnated my growth. I am thinking of moving into a different area of practice that I’m interested in. Has anyone ever done this? I’m actually depressed and I really hate being given work now. I have ADHD. Please advise

like

What's a reasonable amount of billable hours for a first year? How do you adjust to not having much free time?

like

How were your billable hours the first couple of weeks after you lateraled?

likefunny

Went from a big firm to work for a smaller firm. The people in the smaller firm are protective of their work and are good by their work too. I no longer feel chaos or stress. I am treated with respect and my schedule is more normal. I am even working more billable hours than before, but it feels like a seamless experience. I don’t work then past 5pm or anything out of the ordinary for this time of the year. I am so grateful!

likeuplifting

My firm has a collections budget (80% of your billable rate x 1850 hours) and an hourly budget that must be met in order to be eligible for a bonus. The firm cares very little about originations and will reward someone for making their collections over someone who brings in new work. I missed my collection budget due to some odd timing with a client, but originated more than all my peers so no bonus for me. I’ve been at this same mid level firm for 9 years and it’s all I know. Is this normal??

like

So, I'm happy at my current job and have been there about 18 months. Our pay is probably 15% below market (AmLaw 100) but so are our billable requirements. An interview for another firm kind of fell into my lap, and I'm debating whether to take it just for the sake of seeing what market really is. Is there something shady about interviewing somewhere you're not totally committed to accepting an offer from?

like

15+ years experience in Forensic Accounting. What would be considered fair pay in the NYC area? Average yearly Billings was 2,500, however recently took over the building out of systems, training younger staff, more marketing in a set region; basically more non billable work.

like

Obligatory financial info post. 1) size of firm, 2) billable requirements, 3) salary, 4) bonus, 5) quality of life, 6) debt, and and 7) family/married/single. Go!

like

Question re: salary. I’m thinking about accepting an offer at a small (4-6 attorneys) transactional firm. I would primarily be working on NDAs for clients. The role sounds great (no billable hours, fully remote, flexible hours/ can work from anywhere); however, the salary is $70K. I’m a new attorney, with only one year of experience. Does this salary seem low? If so, any advice on what someone in my position should ask for?

like

Has anyone made the switch from firm life (specifically, ID) to a government role and regretted it? It’ll be less pay, but better benefits, more fulfillment, and obviously no billable hours which sounds amazing right now.. I’m just really nervous that I’ll miss the paychecks!

like

In your experience, how accurate has the Robert Half Salary Guide been? Small law in LCOL area. Fourth year associate trying to figure out appropriate salary range. I’ve heard the 1/3 of your billable time value as well? Any guidance appreciated.

like

What’s your take on Lydecker? What is the culture? Market salary? Expectation on billable hours? Mentorship? Etc.?

like

Some good news after almost 11 months of applying and interviews and lots of rejections finally got an offer! In NYC small firm, ex big law folks, no billable hours, niche practice area, appearance of forwarded thinking firm, remote till who knows when, emphasis on pro bono initiatives and building book of business. The catch salary. Was making around 140k at last firm with 1800 billable. Offer is 85k and revist to bump to around 100k in several months after review (plus discretionary bonus)

like

When your firm requires billable hours, how are they calculated? Actual vs realized (I.e. what you put on your billing sheet vs what is billed to the client). Does your firm differentiate? Which number do they go by? My mind is somehow not comprehending how some big law hours are under my small firm requirement?

like

How is the billable rate for each associate determined at your firm? Does everyone in the same class bill out at the same rate?

like

Do your firms have a billing code you use if you don’t get enough billable hours in the day? Like say you only billed 6 hours one day. What do I do about the other 2 hours?

like

What's up everyone? I saw a salary survey posted earlier. What do y'all think I should make at a litigation boutique that handles primarily business litigation on a contingency fee? No billable hours.

I have a question about mid-size Philadelphia law firms. Does anyone have any insight about what life is like (culture, pay, billable hours, cases, WFH, perks, etc.) as a junior partner/senior associate/of counsel in the litigation department at the following firms: Montgomery McCracken, Schnader Harrison, Stradley Ronon, Dilworth Paxson, Klehr Harrison?

Ok, maybe this has been done before, but I want to get a real life sense of the difference between EPLI and Private L&E (management side) practices. Let's do a poll:

1.) Primary source of business: EPLI or Private Companies?

2.) Number of matters you are currently working on

3.) Average billable rate (your year)

4.) Normal working hours/wk

5.) Percentages: Litigation vs Counseling

6.) Type of firm: ID, Big 4, Boutique, BigLaw, etc.

I'll kick things off in comments.

like

Has anyone transitioned from Tax to RM? Could you share your experience and pros/cons of the change? Really want to get out of client facing/billable work, but I like my firm. Thank you!

More Posts

Moved from US to Europe and find the inefficiency and disorganization at agency very frustrating. Anyone else go through this? Any advice besides increased drinking?

Hi Fishes,
Could you please help me with how is the wlb and job security in DBS? I have got an offer in treasury & market unit as an application developer. Thanks in advance

like

Hey Ladies!

Wanted to drop in and ask if anyone is burnout from work and wants support?
I used to be the VP at Grow Team and I left to start my own company serving women in corporate. Just wanted to let everyone know in case one of you is burnt out & ready to get out of survival mode ⚡️⚡️
Xo

like
like

I hate that the confession bowl has turned into the politics bowl. This used to be a fun bowl. Somebody send me an invite for the super secret confession bowl.

funnylike

I have 7.5 lpa from Amdocs and 6.75lpa from Mindtree. I want to renegotiate with Mindtree based on Amdocs. How much should i ask from Mindtree??

like

Hey ladies, I’m in some serious need for some job search advice. My search has some very challenging circumstances which I’d love some support and feedback on. I can’t share any details here. Would any of of you be willing to connect with me privately in either a chat or (possibly down the road) video chat? I’d love to ideally find a mentor or two.

like

How do you set your career on an upward trajectory in growth start up companies where experience and historical titles are not correlated? How do you gain influence as someone without a fancy title but plenty of contributions (which is thankfully noticed)?

like

Math is, admittedly, not my strong suit. How difficult is the math in a long-term SCM career?

like

I can gift gold status on Delta with my platinum status. Anyone have a similar benefit they want to do a trade?

like

What's the most important news story that no one is talking about right now?

like

This hits home.

Post Photo
likefunnyuplifting

What’s a “village” like Havas Health?

Our Data and Analytics practice is hiring, DM if interested!

likefunny

So "J" in US is like blow in UK. Comprende?👍🏼 gimme five if u get it....(high n low)

like

Surprised not to see more about Eddie Murphy’s star turn/return on SNL. 58 years old, clearly showing his age, he was every bit the explosive comic talent of his youth. Urban legend: age limits.

like

Has anyone on here at EY or another Big 4 ever asked a Partner for a letter of recommendation to MBA or PhD school? If so, what was your experience?

like

What’s the earliest one can get a decent offer in house? Say you’re a first year. Asking for a friend…

like

Just curious: Office laptop CAT, GMAT preparation ki use chesthe emyna issue untunda, like history track chesi note cheskotam type??

like

R u going to office every week for 1 or 2 days?

Additional Posts in Law

Advice requested: When you were a legal intern or a summer, what type of projects did you like best? What was most helpful to you when you received a new assignment? Anything you wish your mentor did/didn’t do? I’m working with my first ever intern and trying to structure projects so they know that the work is important and relevant to the business, and why, and to provide enough background info on the area of law so they don’t spin wheels on the basics. What else should I be doing?

likehelpful

Ever finish a draft so late you wait until the morning to email it to the Partner? (Why am I sweating an arbitrary Friday deadline?)

like

Summer Associate Programs: Should law schools have a summer semester and law firms do the summer program in the fall? Please discuss.

like

Looking to find a recruiter to work with to help with my job search. Any suggestions? In the Nashville area if it matters. Thanks!!

like

I'm a student but I got an offer at a top 3 firm (by revenue). Trying to decide between that and a small firm in my hometown. I'm not sure what I should do at this point.

like

Is there any PR issues incorporating/organizing a law firm in DE? If the principal place of business may be elsewhere? Attroneys are licensed in all states that they will practice in. No attroneys are licensed in DE.

like

I am trying to create a list of matters for the last 3 years for a conflicts check (firm requires listing every single party involved) and it is QUITE the process. Any ideas on how to make it less burdensome?

like

Is there a market for lawyers to add expertise In crisis management or reputation management? My goal is to counsel clients on how to respond to media inquiries without saying or posting something detrimental to a potential litigation while still maintaining communication with their client base. If so, how to break into that industry? Courses? Books? Certifications?

like

I’m the only associate (mid-level) in a niche transactional group. My team is slammed. My paralegal is on leave. My partners keep delegating work to me but then I have no one to delegate anything to. Nearly everything for 2 big deals is on my list. I’m so stressed that I feel like I can’t breathe most days. I need help but there isn’t any available. I’m starting to feel like quitting is my only option. Any recommendations?

likesmart

Has anyone ever left a job simply because a deal got SO bad that you knew if you stayed it would be looming over your head for probably another year? To the point where you had daily nightmares.

like

I have a gov law job with an offer to go to a great firm as a mid-level associate. Worried that if COVID continues, I’ll get laid off (much less likely at my gov job). Should I wait or go?

like

Are the people you know complying with CDC and other guidance about social distancing, especially in the evenings?(Continued in comments)

like

Looking for a job in Omaha. Appreciate any leads!

like

Anyone know how/ where to begin working with recruiters? I’m currently doing in-house work on a contract-basis and want to get my foot in the door with larger firms in New York.

like

My firm has a collections budget (80% of your billable rate x 1850 hours) and an hourly budget that must be met in order to be eligible for a bonus. The firm cares very little about originations and will reward someone for making their collections over someone who brings in new work. I missed my collection budget due to some odd timing with a client, but originated more than all my peers so no bonus for me. I’ve been at this same mid level firm for 9 years and it’s all I know. Is this normal??

like

Why are weddings so expensive?!

like

I feel so far behind all of my non-lawyer friends. Everyone is getting married, having babies, and buying houses, and all I have is esq behind my name... I feel like my career is my marriage and my baby, and my student loans are my house payment... anyone else feel that way? Also, if anyone used to feel that way but dug themselves out of that whole, any advice?

like

Easier to go from litigation to transactional or transactional to litigation? I’m currently in litigation but wondering if I I could make the switch later in my career.

like

The amount of people, even attorneys, who can't separate out the policy merits of abortion from the issue of whether it is a constitutional right is disappointing. I consider myself pro-choice ---I believe states should allow it, that the federal government can pass a statute to guarantee it, and that FDA statutes and regulations will preempt any state trying to ban chemical abortions through FDA approved drugs. Dobbs at its core is a case about the Due Process Clause, not the policy of abortion

likesmart

Any recruiter recommendations for LA / SoCal?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal