Nervous for my annual review. Junior associate at a midsize ID firm. Most of my work is task based and I recently got a few of my own arb level cases (in the last month.) Between COVID and studying for a second bar admission as required by my firm, I did not meet my 2100 requirement for the year. Lots of non billable hours studying and business development, but firm doesn’t count it toward the minimum. Extremely burnt out and anxious. Any suggestions to make this review less awful?

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

Well, I’d say the “extremely burnt out and anxious” part could be one of two things: if you’re like me, you’re probably your own worst critic. You may be beating yourself up unnecessarily because you know you didn’t meet your goal. I totally get that if that’s the case - perhaps you need to work on being kinder to yourself.

On the other hand, it may signal that you’re in a firm with rigid partners who don’t view expectations as a two-way discussion to include consideration for things that benefit the firm long term (like a second license, if they want you to have it). That’s unfortunate if it’s the case, and might be the type of place you wouldn’t want to stay in long term.

With Regard to approaching your review specifically, I think the best thing that you can do is go into it having reasonable expectations. You know that you did not meet your billable hour goal, so it’s unlikely that you’re going to get a massive raise and/or bonus. If you’re good taking this year as a mulligan, given that your Efforts at a second bar license and at business development negatively impacted your ability to generate revenue, just be honest during your review that you recognize that those are issues. hopefully they’ll still see the value in what you did this year. If not, it’s probably time to move on for a lot of reasons. Either way, your review will just give you the information you need to choose which way to go.

like

Well, let’s start here - how far are you off of your 2,100 hour goal?

Did the firm know when the goal was set that you’d be taking a second bar exam?

Thanks for the reply. After December, I will be about 300 hours away from my goal.

The firm has been in the loop about the bar exam- I was hired with the expectation that I would sit for it.

Related Posts

Best takeout/delivery options open tomorrow? Isolating because of COVID in Lincoln Center area and have a friend who can pick up

like

How many billable hours do you aim for per month? Thinking of lateraling to a firm with no official hours target and wondering what I should be aiming for - is 170/mo (2000 per year) acceptable? Don’t want to burn out but also don’t want to get fired lol. I also understand there’s little control over how much I’ll work but just wondering what y’all think is good enough.

like

Ever had an attorney randomly pull food that they somehow squished in their shoe during long court days. One day, it was taking forever in federal court due to the COVID backlog. An attorney was sitting at a table across from where I was sitting. Kept noticing him reaching down like he was scratching his foot then would bring his hand to his mouth. Very strange. Court concluded and I saw him by his car taking off his shoe and pulling a squished baggy with half a sandwich out of it.

funnylike

Are firm offices in LA closed due to COVID? Or are associates able to voluntarily go in?

I joined a very prominent midsized firm back in fall which gave me almost no billable work for the first 2 months. I still am barely getting any billable work and am lucky if I can bill 20- 25 hours a week. Should I be looking for a new job right now? I am afraid they are going to load me up for tax season, look at my overall numbers and just decide that I’m an “under-performer”

likehelpful

It’s been a hot minute. Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Hoisin Sauce (Keto). My pre-covid work clothes are now loose on me. I’ll have to buy a new work wardrobe wherever that may be. I quit my job and am back in school. Goodbye tax, goodbye busy seasons, goodbye billable hours.. 😁

Post Photo
like

Is 180 billable hours per month a high “target” (to use the firm’s vernacular) or expectation?Although it may not be unreasonably high, I believe it is a high number and would at least appreciate someone at my firm acknowledging that. Perhaps I’m wrong and I’m sure you’ll tell me if so.

like

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

About 10 days ago I was exposed to someone who later tested positive for covid. I’m super careful normally. I got a rapid test 7 days after exposure and a PCR test 8 days after exposure and they both came back negative. Since about day 5 after exposure I’ve been SUPER tired though. I’ll drink a ton of coffee, way more than normal, and still feel exhausted. Then off and on I’ve been having stomach issues. Have any of you had this happen? I feel like I have to have it but the tests say no. 🤷🏻‍♂️

like

What is everyone’s plans for surviving the rest of 2020 since coronavirus isn’t leaving this year?

In terms of safely seeing people, bouncing between home and apartment, living your lives.

like

Opinions? Management now requiring everyone to have 45 billable hrs per week, not including mandatory concepting n pitch work. Most people participating in 2-3 initiatives at same time. Is this normal

like

Is it reasonable to be expected to spend 20-30 non-billable hours a month checking your paralegal’s work? (i.e. summarizing hundreds of records and bills). The partner said he “didn’t use paralegals” at his previous firm and eating the time is an “investment in yourself.” Is this common?

like

Did anyone who got Moderna vaccine get a flare up of seborrheic dermatitis?

I got my first flare up of this autoimmune condition 5 days after my first Moderna dose and it’s only gotten worse since (I have been doing treatment). I was doing some research online how covid patients in hospitals got the condition so I wasn’t sure if it would be related to the 2 doses of Moderna vaccine. Just thought I would ask if it happened to anyone else.

Maybe it was just a coincidence too

likesmart

What are some of the best ways to network during covid for industry roles? What are your thoughts on LinkedIn cold outreach?

like

Forget your company - how is your specific division/team doing in the age of Coronavirus? Any concerns about profitability or job security?

like

Is asking first year associates to hit 215 billable hours normal?!

like

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

Anyone living in Niche905? Share your thoughts please whether you like it and with COVID whether amenities are open.

like

Hello,

I am a 3rd year insurance defense attorney with product and premise liability experience. Due to long-COVID, I am likely to lose my job.

The plan is to find a government position that would involve more substantive litigation and trial work, then leverage that into the private sector a few years down the line.

Any advice would be appreciated regarding networking, where to start, etc. Thank you.

Just received an offer to come in as an exp. manager in the SDV group at Deloitte Can anyone comment on -
- likely travel requirements in a post-COVID world (I live in Chicago)
- typical bonus expectations (low, mid, high)
- prospects to get promoted to an SM within 12-18 months
- pay expectations as an SM
- utilization expectations

funnylikehelpful

More Posts

Quit today! Feels so good. Best Christmas gift ever!!!

like

Any of y’all in the DMV area? I lift 5x a week, sometimes I go alone and sometimes with a couple friends, anyone up to be gym buddies? 😬

like
like

What’s indirect and direct tax? Partnerships and non FTE, respectively?

like

Really need a laugh, what's your favorite science joke?

like

Hey, SaaS product marketing geeks. What is deemed to be an outstanding visitor to opt-out 14 days Trial CR for a mid-ticket product? ($50 AOV)

like

LTI-Larsen and Toubro is HIRING!!
*DM YOUR EMAIL WITH JOBID TO APPLY*
URGENT REQUIREMENTS

Post Photo
like

what is the salary for senior 2 working with assurance team in EY gds?

like

I've joined with 2.10 yrs experience and was given the role of Software Engineer. Heard that some people with same or a little more experience got Senior Software Engineer in tech consulting.

When can I expect next promotion?

Also, I'm drawing a salary of 8 lpa. What is the competitive salary for this experience and designation for others here? Can you please share?

like

Hi All, How is Natwest bank client in IBM..do we have good learning and WLB.. please let me know. Thanks

like

Incoming MBA, I have my tuition paid for and rent covered (I will be an RA). So the only thing I need to pay for is food and entertainment. Do you think 20k is enough to last me through the 2 years? I will make a little money interning in the summer, so that would be a safety valve if I blow through the 20k.

Or… should I take a small loan?

Perkins & Will in Chicago is hiring ui designers and ux strategists, mid to senior level!

like

Please help me understand why this role with mediocre responsibilities that any graduates can do requires “Minimum 7 years” at Deloitte.

Post Photo
like

Looking to open my dms with Potato’s help. Thanks everyone!

Post Photo
like
like

Hi All,
I recently started working as Associate Project Manager in CBRE project management in New York. I am paid $80,000 plus bonus. I think I am paid less, but just wanted to check with the group here on what you all think.
I have 4 years of experience, Masters in civil engineering.

like
like

What agencies are allowing for remote staff producers?

like

I think one of my seniors flirts with the female staff too much. I haven’t gotten any complaints, but I’m not the only one who has noticed in the past. Do I talk to him on the side before it actually becomes an issue?

likefunny

I was called into HR because a coworker overheard a conversation between me and another colleague taking about cable/streaming shows that we watched or recorded. I mentioned that I recorded a few true-crime shows. My colleague jokingly said, "I hope I'm not on your hit-list!". I replied, "Not anymore." HR pulled me in to say a coworker complained about me talking about hit-lists, and they were now scared. HR wouldn't say who complained, so do I have a right to ask about the resolution to this?

Additional Posts in Law

Other than having a gap on your resume, why is it bad to leave a job without another one lined up? Will hiring companies assume you got fired?

likehelpful

Given that people seem to be fleeing NYC, possibly long term, do you all think that this will create a substantial shift in the status quo of the legal profession? If the financial institutions switch to work from home long term or limit the amount of their workers in the city, will NYC still need to be the center of the legal profession or do you see other legal markets growing?

like

Giving 2 week notice to my firm tomorrow but have a feeling they won’t have me stay the two weeks. Anyone have this happen to them?

like

After your conflicts cleared, how long does it take a firm to extend an offer?

like

Does the title “senior associate” mean anything?

like

Other than higher pay (I didn’t become a lawyer to get rich 🤣) what is the benefit of working for BigLaw, or private practice in general? As a government lawyer, I make 6 figures, have excellent benefits, no billable hours requirements, more time off than I know what to do with (including mental health days), a pension, a 401(K), option to chose whether to WFH or not, no weekend work, no working before 8am or after 5pm. It seems like so many lawyers in private practice are unhappy.

likefunnyhelpful

For lawyers who moved to PE/fund management in-house, do you also get carried interest? Is your overall compensation better (cf. 4th year biglaw) or work-life balance better than biglaw?

like

Just switched jobs a few months ago but really interested in joining the incoming administration. If I could manage to get a position would it be a bad career move to switch after just a few months even if it’s for a WH role? Should I stay here a year first then look to join?

likehelpful

What’s the worst/most disappointing event you had to miss/work through because of your workload/deadlines?

likehelpful

What are your favorite legal shows, movies, and books?!

like

Have a full interview scheduled and am confident in my chances. I obtained this interview through a referral but have been working with a great recruiter that has sent me great positions and I have really enjoyed worked with. Am I overstepping if I reach out to the recruiter for some advice and questions? Also, assuming I get the position, I would still like to send the recruiter a thank you gift for her hard work even though it didn’t lead to a position. What amount for the gift?

like

For a male interviewing candidate should I opt for clean shaved every time?

like

Has anyone filed for bar license reciprocity in Texas? If so, how long did it take for your application to be approved?

like

I don’t know if I’ll ever get the courage to go back to a high pressure high paying job again but I do want to. I was so stressed out and miserable before. So I kind of took a break by taking it slow and got a different job. The plan was to recharge and go back. After a few mos, I’m missing the projects and sense of accomplishment, also the environment and people. I have the opportunity to go back to that sort of work again, but I don’t know

like

AM200 in ID. Our support staff (legal assistant I.e., secretaries) are assigned 3 attorneys each to support. I try not to overload her. I do a lot of administrative work myself and get creative capturing the time. However, my assistant pays little to no attention to proofing work. It drives me nuts 🥜! Should I take more responsibility for proofing work or is this something in her scope that I should be exacting about?

like

NYC taxes so high... looking for exits in Houston at this point

like

Hi everyone! I posted about this previously, but need guidance on how to handle. I work at a small firm who hired an office manager about eight months ago (manages two staff members). She does not have a college degree, obviously did not attend law school. When they hired her, one of the partners told me they paid her a salary which was only 10k less than mine, an associate attorney practicing for 4 years. They treat her like gold and act as if she can do no wrong. Cont…

like

When do I need to tell my employer my wife is pregnant? I work in a small office and she is due in May.

like

What is the best way to hand in my resignation while I’m working from home? I do know the supervising attorney is always in the office. Email or go in and hand it in personally?

likehelpful