What do you all do when you don’t have billable work and are killing time at your desk? Do you try to do things you can bill under “non-billable time” such as read legal articles? Or just bill nothing

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I go home

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Write articles. Have coffee with your colleagues outside the firm. Volunteer pro bono. Write out a networking/business development plan. In other words, do things so that your billable work does not slow down in the future because you can originate work, you increase your lateral attractiveness, and you might actually find something you like or find rewarding to round out the edges.

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Go home. I am a transactional mid level at an Amlaw 100, billed over 2600 this year with 400 additional “firm” hours. If I am done for the day I’ll leave. Partners here are not big on face time and know that we’re working round the clock when needed.

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That sounds like hell. Only if we could check out after 2k.

Only been here two months. Figured I’ll at least wait til 5pm...

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Read and WRITE articles on something important/new in your practice area. Bring that to partners. They will be impressed (at your entrepreneurship) and also realize you may need work, so they will give you some. Directly saying you need more work is going to result in them questioning if they need you or them dumping everything on you and you will quickly miss those days of reading and writing articles.

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Please go home. The only acceptable reason to be sitting at your desk and not be billing is when you’re trying to procrastinate.

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We have a partner that loves to watch and bet on horse racing.

I am really slow too. It’s weird how it’s always stressful to be slow....

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Worst part of the billable hour. Pretty much always stressed unless you’re billing exactly 7-9 hours a day.

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Do pro bono work

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Apps for keeping track of billable hours?

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What percentage of associates meet the billable hours requirement at your firm?

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I feel like billable hours discourage attorney efficiency and incentivizes folks to drag work out or take longer to complete assignments (excluding tangible due dates).

Have firms seriously considered other ways to measure productivity outside of the billable hour?

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How were your billable hours the first couple of weeks after you lateraled?

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Need insight into Butler, Weilhmuller, Katz, Craig, Tampa office. I have an interview for an attorney position and wanted to know billable requirements and office environment. What there WFH policy is if they have it. Any insight would be appreciated.

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Question re: salary. I’m thinking about accepting an offer at a small (4-6 attorneys) transactional firm. I would primarily be working on NDAs for clients. The role sounds great (no billable hours, fully remote, flexible hours/ can work from anywhere); however, the salary is $70K. I’m a new attorney, with only one year of experience. Does this salary seem low? If so, any advice on what someone in my position should ask for?

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Some good news after almost 11 months of applying and interviews and lots of rejections finally got an offer! In NYC small firm, ex big law folks, no billable hours, niche practice area, appearance of forwarded thinking firm, remote till who knows when, emphasis on pro bono initiatives and building book of business. The catch salary. Was making around 140k at last firm with 1800 billable. Offer is 85k and revist to bump to around 100k in several months after review (plus discretionary bonus)

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I have a question about mid-size Philadelphia law firms. Does anyone have any insight about what life is like (culture, pay, billable hours, cases, WFH, perks, etc.) as a junior partner/senior associate/of counsel in the litigation department at the following firms: Montgomery McCracken, Schnader Harrison, Stradley Ronon, Dilworth Paxson, Klehr Harrison?

When your firm requires billable hours, how are they calculated? Actual vs realized (I.e. what you put on your billing sheet vs what is billed to the client). Does your firm differentiate? Which number do they go by? My mind is somehow not comprehending how some big law hours are under my small firm requirement?

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What's up everyone? I saw a salary survey posted earlier. What do y'all think I should make at a litigation boutique that handles primarily business litigation on a contingency fee? No billable hours.

Went from a big firm to work for a smaller firm. The people in the smaller firm are protective of their work and are good by their work too. I no longer feel chaos or stress. I am treated with respect and my schedule is more normal. I am even working more billable hours than before, but it feels like a seamless experience. I don’t work then past 5pm or anything out of the ordinary for this time of the year. I am so grateful!

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My firm has a collections budget (80% of your billable rate x 1850 hours) and an hourly budget that must be met in order to be eligible for a bonus. The firm cares very little about originations and will reward someone for making their collections over someone who brings in new work. I missed my collection budget due to some odd timing with a client, but originated more than all my peers so no bonus for me. I’ve been at this same mid level firm for 9 years and it’s all I know. Is this normal??

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Has anyone transitioned from Tax to RM? Could you share your experience and pros/cons of the change? Really want to get out of client facing/billable work, but I like my firm. Thank you!

77 hours from the next super bonus tier. I have about 25 pro bono hours that I could do, and I have about 12 billable hours that I will do. No real Christmas plans. Worth scrounging up those last 40?

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What are your current billable hours and salary? Is anyone actually on a good ratio with this - would love to hear

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Are utilization targets (%) always based on 40 hrs/wk, I.e 90% utilization = avg 36 billable hrs/wk?

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What do we think this industry will look like in ten years? Do we still have biglaw firms with billable hours? Do we have more focus on alternative fee structures?

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Is it appropriate to put utilization rate and annual billable hours worked on my LinkedIn?

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Is a $60K base salary with a $30/billable rate or $100K flat salary better? Assuming 80-90% utilization for both. There are other variables of course, but in terms of salary alone, which would you take?

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I am thinking of switch from plaintiff side work to defense work in employment litigation. Has anyone made this switch? Did you regret? We’re billable hours too much to handle? More in comments.

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Anyone else thankful it’s a Friday?

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Has anyone done side work on Fiverr or Task Rabbit? What other avenues have you chosen?

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Hi,
I have an 8 years of experience in Manual testing in mobile and web application and in API testing. Kindly refer me for the relevant positions in your organisation for Gurgaon location or for Remote(WFH) opportunities. My last working day is 31st Aug 2022.
Thanks

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did anyone else get a large market adjustment (13-20%) in their base? was this done for all those who weren't being paid the same as more current hires? I've heard from a couple about this

Consulting value add be like

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Do FAANGs prefer you have tech experience or does having a deal list with a bunch of Fortune 100 companies make you marketable enough? I have the latter but not the former. Happy at my firm, though it doesn’t do a lot of tech work.

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I’m a security officer for a hospital that I’ve worked in for 7 years. Wanting to find out if I am getting Adequately paid for my work, any suggestions?

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Anyone know anything about LRXD?

Any deloitte folks whose perm was filed in August 2020. Please share the status

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When you go out to eat with a friend or 2, do you split the bill or does someone pay for the whole check with the implication that someone else will pay next time?

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In BNP Paribas CIB what all benefits we hav as employee

Currently an RX senior associate at A&M. Ive dealt with a fair amount of distressed pe firms and I'm pretty interested in the space. I think the skillset is much broader and opens me up to learning a lot of new skills. One thing Im curious about is how to make the move over to a invest role.

Ive toyed with the idea of doing a 2-3 year stint in RX IB at Houlian or a similar MM or EB but just am not sure if that's even needed. Anyone have some insight or suggestions they could offer? Im all ears

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Germany, 25yo, 4YOE as Sales engineer and projectmanager in a tiny company. (< 2 Million€ revenue)

Transitioning to a series E unicorn (SaaS). took the whole Interview process within a Week while having covid. knocked every interviestep out of the Park, only great Feedback, i am a referral from their best salesengineer, they really want me in.
initial Joboffer: 70k Base 100k OTE + stockoptions.

How much in stockoptions ist good/should i ask for?
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Hey Guys, Got to know that Accenture has revised its Cooling Period from 6 to 18 months!! Is it true?

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DM me for below refferal

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After you’ve pulled an all-nighter, how do you get through the next day? Caffeine? Exercise? Take a nap? Quit early?

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9months in at new firm that I moved for. Average rent within a 30 minute drive of the office is up over 60% (my current building has doubled). I got a 25% raise but am still likely not going to be able to live reasonably close. I’m the only employee that doesn’t own a home and am unsure how to raise the issue that i need to make more so i can live reasonably close to the office.

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Defendant filed a motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction. I have to now oppose this motion: where do I even begin because tbh defendant has a pretty lock argument

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Hi, everyone! I am extremely passionate about issues such as climate change and gun violence, and how money in politics leads to inaction and disinformation regarding these issues. Does anyone have any insight as to where I should be looking for employment opportunities? Practice areas, the type of organization, traditional vs. non-traditional law jobs? Any help or guidance would be appreciated. I really want to make a change. Thank you!

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How does on lateral into big law? Is it worth it?

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New Associate at small plaintiff’s employment law firm NYC If my goal is to work for a defense firm in the same field, how fast should I be going for the door? Or is it safe to stay and get exp first

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What is a high paying JD advantage job? I have 3 years of experience as an attorney

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First (second?) year here, already hit hours for the year. Finally a slow week with little to no work on my plate. Someone help me fight the urge to let partners I have capacity.

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Would poor law school grades disqualify me from NYU’s tax LLM program (firm will pay for it).

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What would be Jerry West's best cause of action against HBO/Mckay for their negative portrayal of Mr. West in the fictional "Winning Time" series? (He is unlikely to prevail on a defamation claim, right?)

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My firm doesn’t let us invest in any crypto (nyc big law). Is this the case elsewhere or am I unlucky. I feel like I’m missing out

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This is the most basic question, so yep, I’m asking you to take it easy on me when you reply. I have been practicing for about 5 years total. I have been in civil practice for 2 years. These 2 years have been the most demoralizing, unfulfilling 2 years of my life. I have been giving myself pep talks to find the “positive” spin on it but firm life isn’t for me. I know networking is key but do you have some thoughts/suggestions on how to make an exit...crying at therapy is becoming too much.

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Need insight into Butler, Weilhmuller, Katz, Craig, Tampa office. I have an interview for an attorney position and wanted to know billable requirements and office environment. What there WFH policy is if they have it. Any insight would be appreciated.

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Leadership advice for young associates?

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Advice to avoid ethics violations and unauthorized practice of law in the following scenario. I am licensed to practice in PA and live in PA. Recently accepted a 100% remote non-legal role for a national org based in CA but does business in all states. No lawyers in house. Recently, they casually asked me to review and suggest language in govt contracts. Should I tell them I can't or possible opportunity to renegotiate a legal role in house but with CA license?

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Any loopholes to prevent Westlaw from logging out every 5 minutes? That’s not enough time to get all my tears out before going back to my 20 Westlaw tabs

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Anyone have experience going through the interview process at the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office?

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How do you interview for a new position without alerting your current firm that you are looking to leave?

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I hear a lot about people saying they'd like to go into banking. But most of the time it seems like they really mean PE, which seems like a long shot to me

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Associates, if you turned in work that was subpar how would you want the partner to approach you to tell you about it?

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