Should I do it or politely tell them to pound sand? Small team went way over budget on a thing, i did 90% of the work. Partner is asking me to move some billable time to a non-billable number to “act like a partner” and show I’m willing to share in the hurt. They claim this will help me with partnership later because acting like a partner is one of the most important factors. This would turn an ok june into a bad june for me in terms of hours. I’m up for partnership next year. 👍🏻 or 👎🏻?

likesmarthelpful
Posting as :
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Pound sand. The partner can write off the time if it's that big of a deal. But then that'd look bad for the partner, right? Not your problem. Acting like a partner (a good one, at least) means taking responsibility instead of trying to shift the problem to someone who isn't a partner, or to another partner.

likesmart

Agreed. I’d probably respond with something like “I’m always happy to discuss budget with you or our clients, and more than willing to do what is necessary to meet a client’s needs, but firm policy prevents me from moving my time in this manner. My understanding is that the time has to be written off at a partner level.”

I had a nearly identical issue in the past with the firm’s litigation department managing partner. It was super awkward, but I let attorney development know about it. They immediately had firm leadership step in and he was informed he absolutely could not ask me to do that and he had to write it off. Firms take this stuff VERY seriously for a variety of reasons. Partners only do this because the amount of time they write off impacts their compensation.

like

Not a great situation. Partner wants you to take the hit so she/he doesn't have to. I would do it if you view your relationship with that partner as meaningful.

Relationships over hard metrics every time. To be clear, wouldn't take the same position if something more meaningful than your hours for a month (or even a year) was at stake e.g. health. I just mean pure metrics for "success" at a firm.

Success in a firm is far more dependent on relationships than many seem to recognize. And billable hours are just one way of developing and strengthening relationships.

likehelpful

Before you pick a side from the advice above (none of which is exactly right), check with a mentor or your practice group leader in a respectful and ambiguous way without just saying “so and so asked me to do this, is this wrong?”.

like

Agreed. If this was a young associate it would be easier but this person is up for partner imminently. Getting partner can be a delicate thing and generally don’t want someone lobbying against you.

like

I’d chat with a partner mentor if you have one. If the partner telling you to do this has a lot of sway, then this could be a good thing because he might go to bat for you during the partnership election meeting, but if not, I’d tell him to fuck off.

likehelpful

That depends on what you are evaluated against. Our firm looks at billables first and foremost but it is also almost illegal to tell another fee earner to not charge billable work and partners get in trouble for it.

like

I would tend to agree with the last people commenting but it sounds very strange to me.

How would you “prove” this? Put it in your partnership business plan? Mark the narrative as “moved from billable to make commercial effort” and hope the promotion committee sees this years down the line?

I think the best step would be to talk to a trusted mentor who knows the firm (rules, partners and their standing) very well.

like

Will this jeopardize making your hours for the year? If so, then absolutely not. “Sharing the hurt” cannot extend that far. If you know you’re set to make your hours, it goes back to relationships and whether you even want to be a partner. If you otherwise really like this person and partnership is actually realistic, take the hit.

likesmart

Agree with P1, unless this is a situation where the partner is a junior partner or an NSP, I tend to think you take this on the chin and let them know, "June was already slow for you; and that you're afraid this will make it appear much slower," so would appreciate it if they would pass on anything coming their way in July.

But chat with your mentors / trusted colleagues at the firm to get a sense of whether this would be a solid that helps the team across the board or just placating a toxic partner that you may need to avoid in the future.

like

"I'll act like a Partner when you start paying me like one, until then act like a partner and write it off."

like

Y'all saying OP should take the view that OP
should take the hit only if OP was a partner seem to be missing the fact that partnership is a type of exclusive club. Getting into that club isn't just a promotion, there are various (significant) costs associated with getting admitted, only some of which is hours-based.

like

If you want to make partner I think you should do it.

Garbage advice right here.

likesmart

"Pay me like a partner then"

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