I’ve been working as a Paralegal a little over two months…and I don’t like it. This is not to say I don’t like being a paralegal (I love it), but I don’t understand how work at this firm is not distributed properly. How are attorneys giving legal assistants billable work? Also, it’s very frustrating to work in an environment that’s very inconsistent. They say “ask questions”, but what do you do when everyone’s answer is different. I’m just trying to figure out protocol, but it seems nonexistent.

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

This is exactly what my firm is like and I hate it.

like

It’s definitely frustrating.

Maybe try switching the area of law..? I work for a solo practitioner, I’ve never worked in big law. - I find solo is easier. You know all of the files, all of the work and you know where your lawyer lacks (and where you need to pick up). Whereas my friends who work in big law... are doing everything for everyone and it begins to get confusing.

like

Yeah. I could never do that. Working under one lawyer is a game changer. If you have the opportunity in the future to do that.. take it!

like

This seems to unfortunately be a very common theme in law firms. I have seen partners bill for their LA's work as well. On top of that, if we are hired because we are needed, why do we constantly hear that we need to look/ask for work? Is it our fault that work isn't given to us?

like

I feel like I've experienced a similar environment, but I'm the L.A. in the scenario doing billable work without billing. I'll say that in my experience, my firm has attorneys that don't do well in considering the HR and procedural side of things. They just know law, need to get work done and don't care how it's done. I've seen it as an opportunity to address issues and have something to take the lead on.

Absolutely, I’m definitely not upset with any of the LAs because they are doing as instructed. The LAs seem to be overwhelmed because there’s a lot on their plate, but not passing the work over to the paralegals (very frustrating). I also agree with the attorneys not knowing the procedural side of things but I’m not sure if could step in and say something since I’m still the new kid on the block.

like

Fighting for billable happens alot. At my last firm there was always 1 paralegal who hated when anyone but her was asked to assist on new ients and she always found a way to weasel her way in to take the work from others. As for assistants doing billable work, I knew some associates who would have their LAA's do the work and they would bill for it in some fashion, hopefully in some reviewing or finalizing capacity, but some just wouldn't use paralegals. The firm always claimed they tried to spread work evenly among the paralegals, but that wasn't the case.

Related Posts

Does industry have billable hours? At the big 4, we are required to work a certain number of hours each week and if we spend too much time on anything we are questioned on why it took so long. Is that a thing when you go in industry?

like

Explain to me like I’m 5. Why does the monthly billable hours goal on things like Intellistat change month to month. I’m not hitting hours this year. Last month goal was 158. This months goal is 180.

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

What’s big law like in San Francisco? Anyone have any insights to firm cultures or billable targets?

like

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

like

How many billable hours do people in prosecution tend to average each month? I’ve gone through waves of feeling like my billable hours requirement is reasonable to feeling like I’m drowning and can’t possibly do it for that long.

like

I’ve practiced litigation in DC for about 5+ years at a larger plaintiffs’ firm, and am considering a switch to a defense firm. Is there any insight to how many billable hours this would require, and how much time that would actually be? For reference, the firm has a 1900 billable hour requirement and the partner said I would have “no problem” fulfilling that based on the work they have.

like

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.

like

Is there any advice for networking into projects when you don’t know many people at the firm yet? I always to help on BD work when I’m on the bench, but it never turns into any billable work. Every time I have talked to a partner/senior manager I was told I don’t have the skill set they’re looking for, but I don’t know how to build up from there. Feeing very lost but I want to improve my approach.

likehelpful

Billables are low this month. Like I have 65 billable hours in so far. I’ve messaged partners over the last week to try and get more cases but there are tons of new associates who were just onboarded and were at a low point for business. I’m freaking out

like

Does anyone have experience working for a ALSP? How does compensation work (pay and benefits)? Are you an employee or technically an IC? Do you have billable requirements like at a firm? How do you think it prepared you to potentially move in house? I'm currently at a firm but thinking of taking a position with an ALSP but my goal is to go in house.

How is productivity measured for in-house attorneys? Is there any analog of billable hours for in-house lawyers?

like

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

like

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?

Mental health is busy, looking for tips to help manage tasks, currently I supervise 12 therapists in 3 different departments that are all different with unique dynamics in each dept. I still carry a small caseload on top of this. I'm struggling with my patients and worry I am not giving them my best, I wax and wane between focusing on patients and therapists. Looking for advice navigating this type od conversation with my leadership, we have all been asked to work on increase billable time...

like

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?

What are firm’s known billable requirements? Is there a ramp up period?

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?

like

I wonder if we’ll still have minimum billable hours if WWIII breaks out

likefunny

More Posts

Any good gyms in the West Village/Soho area (excluding Equinox)

like

What is the approx income (to be expected) of a 5years experienced Devops engineer in Singapore?

Hi Fishes,

What is the scope for a HR job in Singapore. Preferably wfh and what is the salary range?

like

Explain to me like I’m 5. Why does the monthly billable hours goal on things like Intellistat change month to month. I’m not hitting hours this year. Last month goal was 158. This months goal is 180.

likehelpful

What is the moment that made you realize you wanted a career in entertainment?

like
like

Anyone at AmazonCare willing to connect? I am interested in a Sr. Program Manager role and would love to learn more about the culture and role. Thanks!

On MBA resumes, how should I describe my company? Work for a company that the ad comm probably won’t know. What details should I include?

like

What random skills do you possess that can help during the pandemic? I'll go first-

I can make soap, beer and mead from home. Im gonna be drunk and clean!

likefunny

Any cat owners experience hot spots? My cat has been getting them 2-3 times a year for 2 years now and I'm worried there's an underlying cause

like

What % of your free time do you spend at home compared to outside the house? (exclude time spent at work or sleeping)

like

What’s the most effective way to train 200+ Staff on new technology or system releases? What do big companies do?

My thoughts are to build a community where Staff can talk and answer each other’s questions through MS Teams, but can that really be done effectively?

like

Anyone work for one of the Federal Reserve Banks?

like

on the way to an interview this morning eating a sandwich. I walked past a homeless man who had a stray cat perched on his lap. He asked for a bite of sandwich to feed them both as they hadn’t eaten in days. I gave the whole sandwich over and headed off to the interview. As I got to the interview room there was a large executive chair facing away from me. The chair turned and on top was a mirror. When looking in the mirror I could see the cat. I am the cat. Truly inspirational when you work hard

likefunny

Hi Fishes,

I got offer Letter from infosys 2.5 months back, now when I am trying to decline the offer by sending a mail to HR, it was not getting delivered as HR left the organisation 1 month back, I forwarded mail to feedback team of infosys but still got the mail from onboarding team with joining details and WebEx link, kindly suggest how to proceed in this case.

funny

What would you say it's the average salary for a consultant with 4 YOE in London?

like

Hello All,

Looking for a refferal in
Genpact .

Please let me know if anyone can help. I have the job ID.

Should all the on-site interviews have a feedback of "hire/ strong hire" in order to proceed to HC?
What if one of rounds was not up to the mark?

like

Just started in-house and my days are full of meetings with little time in between to analyze or process anything. Is this typical? I keep taking lots of notes but haven’t had a chance to really review and reflect on my notes, to follow up and investigate or do any strategic or legal analysis. Lots of on the fly work for now. Maybe it’s like this just the first few days where I’m getting the lay of the land? But I suspect it’ll be like this for a while… Any tips appreciated.

like

Additional Posts in Paralegals

Any paralegals here working at Nesenoff & Miltenberg LLP in Manhattan? How’s the culture, pay, and work and life balance?

like

I have my first case review I am kind of nervous about it, wish me luck. I am not scared, I am just nervous about it.

like

Anyone work for Morgan Lewis Bockius? Specifically in Boston ?

like

My boss (atty) is so disorganized! I’ve been with him 6 months and he’s having a hard time delegating, sharing info and managing deadlines. I’ve organized the caseload to manage the deadlines. He says he wants me to help with discovery but when I offer to start on one, he says he needs to do it. (Since he might have to present as evidence) When I give him deadlines and ask for the docs he says he’ll get to it. It’s a small 1 man firm, and I’m the first assistant besides his wife. Any advice?

like

When you walk in Friday morning to a dumpster fire of a file (that you’ve never worked on before) sitting on your desk, with no note or email to go with it. It’s as if I’m supposed to magically divine what to do with it. 🤦🏼‍♀️

like

I hate due diligence requests. Every time my email notification pings I want to cry. I’m already going as fast as I can.

like

Where do you find the time to get everything done in the day when you have multiple partners, associates and equity partners that interrupt you and want things turned around immediately while simultaneously working on deadlines? I feel like I’m the only one that can’t manage a 70+ case load without letting someone down. I constantly have to say “Can I do this tomorrow?” Etc. I don’t even have time to bill on the clock. I work until 7p at least every night. Top 10 family law firm.

like

What were some effective tips or resources that helped you to learn the systems of your first firm? We feel like our firm admin/paralegal is not getting acclimated and not assisting the firm as we hoped. So we want to make sure we’re effectively training her and providing the best resources/tools for success.

like

I’ve been a paralegal for about 30 years in private law firmS. As I get older, I feel like it’s time for a semi-career change. Either an office manager position or perhaps a corporate position where I can travel a little since my kids are grown and I’m an empty-nester. Has anyone made this type of transition? Advise welcome. TIA

like

So I have my bachelors in criminal justice and I just finished my paralegal certificate course today. My attorney should be making partner this year. With that being said I told her that I would complete my certificate by the summer around the time she would make partner. Should I mention to her Monday that I completed my paralegal certificate in hopes that the raise will be bigger or should I wait until June when she makes partner.thoughts?

like

I’m getting messages from recruiters for Sr. Corporate Paralegal roles but all of my experience is in litigation. I have 6 years experience as a paralegal. Should I move forward with this? Not sure if I’m qualified.

like

How much do you make and how many years experience? I’m a senior para at a mid sized firm in Central FL. 10 years experience. I’m making $64k—fair salary?

like
like

I am preparing for my first trial! Very nervous but excited. All tips and suggestions welcomed please!

like

Hi all! I recently made a change from HR to legal. I am now a paralegal II - Immigration specialist making 65-70k hourly base for a fortune 100 company. My office is situated in Missouri. Was this a good offer?

like

Paralegals: My firm is looking for a paralegal, and I see the job posting advertising the salary as $65-$75k, with benefits. Is this a good salary for a paralegal (Greater LA area)? I’m not the decision maker, but it’s been a few weeks with very few applicants. I’m curious if there’s something hurting the firm in its search.

What is the average paralegal salary in NC for a commercial real estate law office? I’ve been with a great firm for the last 9 years but am starting to wonder if I’m being compensated fairly. The company is about 30 employees (mostly attorneys) but I work primary for 4 of the attorneys.

like

I’m currently a bankruptcy paralegal. Not sure I want to stay in bankruptcy forever. I’ve heard it can be really hard to change practice types and break into a new area of law. Anyone have experience or tips/advice on doing so?

like

anyone have feed back on Bridge and
Maria Baldini-Potermin & Associates, PC? I got an interview at both.

like

I’m interviewing with another firm next week. Has anyone made a switch like that before? How did you do it? I work in a small criminal firm now. Interview is with a same size/practice area firm.

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

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

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