Random partner asked a litigation-related question to a partner I frequently work with (i’m a transactional associate). My partner cc’d me and said for me to briefly look. Asked the library. They got me a great case. Sent it back. Now the random partner is asking for more cases in another circuit.

I haven’t done caselaw research since 1L and this isn’t even my practice… wtf do I do (I am fully utilized in my normal work and have a few deals closing soon…)

Received offer from BCG for ECT AD role. Read numerous comments about ECT being not attractive compared to Generalists track. Also heard challenges about billability/utilization. Any views/guidance is appreciated.

Background - I am not super keen to become an equity partner and comfortable to stay on ECT track. Main reason to join will be opportunity to work with different clients, smart talented people and good brand. I may consider going back to industry after 3-5 years in ECT.

What were some challenges y’all faced this week?

I’ll start. Trying to get non local resources utilized. National Leadership thinks this is the answer to our problems but local leadership is hesitant.

I don’t understand how people keep posting about the bench and being unassigned. I’m in advisory(not audit) and my entire LoS is trending 90%+ utilization

I’m struggling. I left an agency I liked last year due to growth limitations and since then I’ve worked at 2 different agencies and can’t seem to find my footing. The first one seemed like a good fit at first but then it turned out to not be the best place for me so I left. At my current agency I feel super undervalued. I’m always raising my hand and offering to help where I can and no matter what I do, I don’t feel utilized or valued or part of the team.It’s really taken a toll on my confidence

In the last PDM town hall, they said they were going to lower utilization targets for those that work on projects with capped hours. For those people, have you seen your utilization target lowered? I haven’t seen shit change for me.

What is the target utilization for a Senior 2? Or number of chargeable hours goal? Is this ever hard to meet?

Just checking YTD peer utilization rate and it's less than 50%. Deal market is really slowing down..

Has anyone gone from Utilization Review to being an RN Coder? Are there any advantages to changing? Salary comparison?

How does it feel to earn less than US Consultants while also struggling for utilization

I have a Deloitte PDM offer. I’ve read about the positives/negatives and I’m so torn. When my recruiter says I’ll have “144 hours” of PTO (18 days), will I definitely still run into the utilization trap of not being able to take it? Are all projects 40-42 hr weekly caps? Third question: I’m new in the DC area, are PDMs invited to firm socials? Trying to make friends! Thanks in advance

Hi all, need some advice here, like a lot of others here, Google is definitely a dream company for me to work at. I come from a non-technical background, currently working as a project manager + associate product manager (20% project situation) at a SaaS company. I would really appreciate the input on my chances for a Program manager/ associate product manager role. Also, what are some of the key skills that are utilized extensively in these roles, which google considers a great asset?

I wish admin utilized Tier 1 supports with teachers. Smiles, appreciations and acknowledging ones efforts would do a great deal to boost morale and climate. I just don’t understand what that is so hard to do.

Hi! I’m doing some research on employee benefits (medical insurance, 401k, HSA/FSA, commuter benefits) and was hoping to connect with People specialists or HR professionals in the comp & benefits space. I’m trying to better understand any pain points or challenges you might face with utilization/enrollment. Anyone interested in connecting? Thank you!

About to finish my first year. I’m a specialist. Only going to hit 65% of my hours (took a 4 week vacation cause of wedding/hm).

I never say no to work and i have fantastic reviews, and the head of my practice (with whom I work a lot for) has great things to say about me.

I’ve been fully utilized starting ~June, but first few months were slow. Am i fine?!

My browser history is failing me and hope y’all can help! I recently stumbled upon a website where some ad folks had compiled a bunch of idea/conceptual thinking approaches and if you clicked through there were past spots that had utilized that idea / way of thinking. I wanted to share it with a mentee and can’t track it down. It was a simple layout: grid of images w/headline naming the idea … Sound familiar?

At PwC(S&) are evaluations (career roundtables) driven primarily by utilization? How much do reinvest and snapshots play?

90% utilization, great snapshots BUT no relationships with the partners in my practice + currently on beach. Everyone I've worked with is shocked. Was told there were HC quotas. Not meritocratic.

How does your firm measure utilization? I work for a small boutique that defines it as utilization = number of billable hours/2,080 and full bonus payout occurs at 80% plus.

Can you get monkeypox from hotels or seats on airplane?

Ikon or epic pass for NE skiing?

Can someone please explain to me how carry compensation works? If I was told I was granted $125k of carry into our fund? I heard the words “dollars at work” a few times

Good morning, I’m looking for an Entry Level Scrum Master position. Please send referrals

If you are looking to pivot to another industry but are still working in your old career, do you change your LinkedIn profile to reflect your goal career? I'm in Real Estate Sales and looking to pivot to SaaS Sales or Customer Success.

How’s BFG lookin these days?

A little over a year ago, I posted about my boss making constant comments about my salary. Most comments said I must not have been performing well. I want to update that he was fired, not me.

Which portable standing desk converters do people have and recommend. I live in a tiny NYC apartment so use my dining table as the office during the day but need to put it away at night.

Is it worth it to do pitch competitions, accelerators and cohorts?

How do people feel about VGAC going for the 23 and me merger? Shares are about $10 now and I’m thinking I might buy in and see where it goes. Thoughts?

Hi! I’m starting to look for a junior AD job and could really use some advice on my book. Thanks!

How do I get rid of a reputation?
Unfortunately, I’ve overdone the booze several times, including once with people outside our company. I’m early in my PE career and I know how important reputation is. What can I do to deal with this?

Hello! I’m new here and looking for positions in talent management specifically as a Talent Business Partner or HR Business Partner. Open to relocating but more interested in remote positions or local in Washington DC or Northern Virginia. I have a master’s degree in I/O psychology, SHRM-CP and 7+ years of talent management experience. If anyone is hiring, please let me know!

Have to take short term leave due to current health condition, can I claim short term disability benefits while on H1b visa? Thanks in advance for any info.

Does anybody else get that anxious feeling in their chest when their workload starts to pile up? When my to-do list fills up and the timelines start to get tight I really start to seize up and I think this is how I’m going to have a heart attack in my 20s.

Pretty sure I’m about to be fired. I have an offer in hand anyway and have been on a few interviews that have gone well, and a few more lined up. Am I gonna be ok?

Any input or advice on taking the SQE exam in the UK to become a UK qualified solicitor? How much to study or any recommended prep courses? How similar is it to the NY bar? Considering taking the July exam so any and all advice is very welcome!

Has anyone had experience with a break up while working in big law? Facing some problems, largely on account of my schedule. Just want to ask if anyone has experience going about it while maintaining performance and well being?

Was interviewing with a firm and soon after receiving an offer, learned of bad culture/toxic partners in the practice group from a couple of associates who recently lateraled from the firm. I turned the offer down. A partner that I clicked with while interviewing reached out asking me why I turned down the offer. Should I be honest and relay what I heard?

If you’re a new transactional third year, and you didn’t catch a mistake that the partner did, but the mid-level, partner and opposite side did not catch it as well, is it still ultimately your fault?

Tips for bankruptcy associates who eventually want to move in-house? 3rd year associate in bankruptcy/restructuring group doing mainly bk lit but a few deals too. Need to stay in BL for at least another year for the money, but eventually want to move in-house. The path to in-house seems more straightforward for general commercial lit or more standard transactional practices. Any tips for someone who’s practice is a bit of a hybrid (and who will never likely do discovery or handle a depo)

New to due diligence and not sure the timeline of projects. Tips to stay organized of the project and timeline, and how to update those leading the deal? Just keep track of new info and provide as necessary?

Dude the mental backflips some of you go through to justify the real life consequences your actions have on juniors is mind blowing

Worst luck ever. My group was very slow from Jan through may, so I won’t hit my hours, but am now (and will continue to be) very busy…. About to do 1990 hrs the most painful way possible. Fml.

Has anybody on the more junior side asked a new firm to move out of state (where the firm has another office with the same comp) for tax purposes? Still working with the same team in the same office in state one, and okay to fly back once a week even if the “two days in office” become a thing…

So sad to see my beloved Cooley becomes a laughing stock. I still remember the day that a classmate of my 7-year-old thought I am a food delivery guy. Can't blame him cause I was wearing a jacket with a large COOLEY logo. He just learned the word "Cooler" the day before.

How many matters is typical for one associate to handle (BL lit)? I know it is group-specific, but just trying to get a general idea. I’m a 2nd year and I am the only associate staffed on about 30 cases-meaning I keep track of all deadlines, do all day to day assignments, keep on top of following up with client/OC, and all research/drafting. Partners handle deps/court but that is about it. Is this a normal case load to be responsible for as a jr? I being dramatic by thinking this is too much?

What’s your firm’s billable hours requirement? Name + whether pro bono (or anything else) counts please

What is the average adoption assistance benefit at big law firms?

How to leverage personal connections for personal gain?

I am a 2nd year and my spouse is a higher up in engineering in big tech. He has some (but not a lot of) sway in outside counsel and could make some intros to in house counsel.

My firm will gladly use my connections for their own gain, so I’m making sure that if/when this situation comes, I take full advantage of it.

Looking for tips on short term and long term strategy.

Joining a big firm next week as fully remote lateral and flying out to home office for orientation. The schedule has me in office until 4:15. I’ve already been told I won’t have any actual work. Depending on how many people are there and how it feels, I was planning to stay an hour extra but should I hang around the office until later? First time visiting this city so it’d be great to take in some sights too (although that’s not a priority of course).

Are any bankruptcy lawyers having to do work outside their practice area during these times? I have zero partner supervision and don’t know how to do like diligence for finance deals..

What’s the best way to break into a big law litigation practice as a Junior associate? I’m currently working in non-auto accident insurance defense and don’t know any attorneys in the area