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Billing hours to client be like...
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My company matches 3%. Is that low or on par?
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I’d honestly go to a therapist. It seems like such an awful life to life.
Busy? Be sad and complain because you’re buried under work. “Ugh, if only I had more free time, then I wouldn’t be so strung out and sad!”
Not busy? Be anxious and complain because you’re not working enough. “Ugh, if only I had more world, then I wouldn’t be so anxious!”
A lot of lawyers are in this boat and see no way out. Currently, I’m billing almost nothing. So I’m visiting some new cities I haven’t been to. If you have free time, enjoy it. If there’s nothing you want to do in life, look around and find a hobby. Because you’ll be kicking yourself when work hits. “If only I had more free time!”
Lovely
Do everything in your power to get more work, and document this. Send weekly emails asking for work to anyone who could give you work. (If relevant to your practice area) when you complete an assignment, suggest some follow-up work that might be helpful, and see if your supervisor takes you up on your offer.
Save all these emails in a folder. That way you’re documenting all you’re doing to stay busy - both for your own sanity and in case it’s ever questioned
I know it sounds awful but I’d also line up some other options in case the worst happens. I assume you’re in corporate. At the senior level I have lots of options which would be available across the US if you’d like to hear them.
Tea?
I think Associate 1 is spot-on. Be as proactive as possible and show your efforts.
If there is writing on the wall, you might also start putting out some feelers at other firms.
Depending on your experience level, practice area, etc., you might also consider building your own book of business or your personal brand. Make yourself irreplaceable (if you want to stay there, but think that there might be layoffs). While it’s sometimes out of your control, an associate with a book and future promise to “rainmake” is less likely to be cut. This is especially true if you’re irreplaceable to certain partners or practice groups.
Instead of worrying about your job, use the extra time to develop your own brand and get your persona out there. Write some articles, go out and do some pro bono work. Attend trade events where you can meet company directors. There is nothing that does more for peace of mind than getting known and developing a client following of your own.
If you’re in biglaw, try that bowl too
Lots of people in this circumstance rn. Be a good firm citizen and a likeable person and try to enjoy the downtime a little—weekend trips, visit the family, do non-work things as much as feasible.
I am in corp law at State Farm and there is not enough time in the day. However, if I were you I would be asking to take on different projects. Or if there is maybe an area that you know needs improve t work on that etc.
Judging by posts in the bowl the last few weeks, don't think it's just you! It's just slow at the moment. All you can do is document your availability, and reach out. New biz is slow coming in and most work has wrapped up by now.
If you have not already done this, go back and do a summary of all the deals you have done to date (normally in big law it’s hard to find time—sometimes there’s barely time to sleep) including what your value add was, challenges you overcame, interesting deal terms, people on the deal etc. This will be your personal permanent record that you can refer to in the future e.g. interviews, networking etc.
Do what you can to find work, and to make sure the people who dole it out are aware you're available and actively looking.
In the meantime, try to take some time for yourself, or work on hobbies, or work on side-projects/other goals, or work on things that will help you professionally (research, CLEs, improve your processes, come up with suggestions to improve the firm's internal processes, etc.), or plan some free time-- travel, see friends, etc.
Good luck.
I am projecting a slow down. I am constantly looking for work, but I’ve also taken on some pro bono projects. Just be vocal about looking for work. It’s really all we can do.