Lawyers at firms

[Deleted]

Jan 8, 2013 22:29:51 GMT -5 @iheartcosmos said:

Jan 8, 2013 22:28:32 GMT -5 @misoangry said:

It's so hard for me to get this. Completely different world!

I bring in clients = I make partner.

That's it.

GET THOSE CLIENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D

[thedutchgirl]

Jan 8, 2013 22:29:25 GMT -5 @misoangry said:

Jan 8, 2013 22:27:15 GMT -5 thedutchgirl said:

Wait, are you cutting your own time? Don't do that! That's the partner's job. Especially if, as it seems, you are a second year. Do your work. Pay attention to your realization rate but don't be consumed by it. And bill every second of everything you do.

Yeah, seriously. NEVER CUT YOUR TIME.

Yeesh.

Do we need to do Billing 101 here?

If I'm taking a dump and thinking about a case, I'm billing that shit.

Literally.

Shower time is often really good billing time for me. I write brief sections in my head.

And yes, billing 101 may be necessary.

[mfluder]

Jan 8, 2013 22:29:25 GMT -5 @misoangry said:

Jan 8, 2013 22:27:15 GMT -5 thedutchgirl said:

Wait, are you cutting your own time? Don't do that! That's the partner's job. Especially if, as it seems, you are a second year. Do your work. Pay attention to your realization rate but don't be consumed by it. And bill every second of everything you do.

Yeah, seriously. NEVER CUT YOUR TIME.

Yeesh.

Do we need to do Billing 101 here?

If I'm taking a dump and thinking about a case, I'm billing that shit.

Literally.

Double this!!!!!

What miso and dutchgirl said. Including miso's literally point.

[Deleted]

Sometimes I couldn't fall asleep at night because I was thinking about work.

BILL.

[Deleted]

I'm billing right now and I'm in bed bc of this thread.

My problem is I try not to think of work when I'm not there. Haha.

[hbomdiggity]

Jan 8, 2013 22:29:25 GMT -5 @misoangry said:

Jan 8, 2013 22:27:15 GMT -5 thedutchgirl said:

Wait, are you cutting your own time? Don't do that! That's the partner's job. Especially if, as it seems, you are a second year. Do your work. Pay attention to your realization rate but don't be consumed by it. And bill every second of everything you do.

Yeah, seriously. NEVER CUT YOUR TIME.

Yeesh.

Do we need to do Billing 101 here?

If I'm taking a dump and thinking about a case, I'm billing that shit.

Literally.

I know. I know. I have gotten better with it, but still struggle a bit (though its amazing how much better I got at "capturing time" when my back was up against a wall!)

[thedutchgirl]

Seriously, don't cut your time. And record it DAILY. You lose it otherwise, and it only hurts you. Every day.

[hbomdiggity]

Jan 8, 2013 22:30:13 GMT -5 mfluder said:

So you made your hours this year, but they aren't promoting you because you didn't make them last year?

exactly. I will now be a 3rd year but paid 2nd year salary because I didnt make hours as a 1st year. I'm a bargain!!

Apparently I can only be bumped back up if I make up my deficit from that 1st year - which was 140 hours - because I said f-it and gave up, thinking I would just start fresh with a new year.

Jan 8, 2013 22:30:13 GMT -5 mfluder said:

Frankly, it sounds like there is something up with your firm; are there a lot of slow people? So maybe they are cutting things where they can because the budget is so tight?

I know my office is doing well. There are other offices that seem to struggle more, but we are fairly isolated so I just don't know how many associates and to what extent. I know there are also issues with underperforming partners, esp after state legislation all but eliminated a practice area for some (but this didn't affect my area).

[mfluder]

Jan 8, 2013 22:59:48 GMT -5 hbomdiggity said:

Jan 8, 2013 22:30:13 GMT -5 mfluder said:

So you made your hours this year, but they aren't promoting you because you didn't make them last year?

exactly. I will now be a 3rd year but paid 2nd year salary because I didnt make hours as a 1st year. I'm a bargain!!

Apparently I can only be bumped back up if I make up my deficit from that 1st year - which was 140 hours - because I said f-it and gave up, thinking I would just start fresh with a new year.

Jan 8, 2013 22:30:13 GMT -5 mfluder said:

Frankly, it sounds like there is something up with your firm; are there a lot of slow people? So maybe they are cutting things where they can because the budget is so tight?

I know my office is doing well. There are other offices that seem to struggle more, but we are fairly isolated so I just don't know how many associates and to what extent. I know there are also issues with underperforming partners, esp after state legislation all but eliminated a practice area for some (but this didn't affect my area).

That's frustrating. Lateral is a good idea if possible, you're good year to start looking in to that.

I would be surprised that your billable hour rate didn't go up, yet, you get no pay increase. Ugh.

[hbomdiggity]

Jan 8, 2013 23:21:30 GMT -5 BirdGirl said:

OP - you'd be better off making a lateral move. This is a good time to do it before you get too senior and they want to give you less credit when you move.

And the f-it mentality is exactly why the firm had this policy. Although they should have made it known.

Point taken. I really was trying to catch up and by "f-it" I only meant that I billed acceptable, but not make up quantity hours, in November when it became apparent I wouldn't make hours (billable year ends with calendar year.)

[Deleted]

I agree with BirdGirl.

Get out.

I hate to say it, but you're basically on probation.

[mfluder]

Sorry, I think I have to agree. At least at my firm not being promoted on one of the tracks is a shot across the bow. Why law firms just don't come out and say shit I don't know.

Eta: though at my firm you can ride that train at least a year if not two lol. Not saying its ideal.

[thedutchgirl]

My firm too, unfortunately. Anything other than the automatic bump with class year, and accompanying raise, is a sign things aren't going well.

Law firms are notoriously bad about making this clear to people. They hint around the edges but make it sound like the person can save it. He or she generally can't.

[hbomdiggity]

Jan 8, 2013 23:44:43 GMT -5 @misoangry said:

I agree with BirdGirl.

Get out.

I hate to say it, but you're basically on probation.

I totally felt like this past year was probation. That's what so frustrating because I figured I'd be off probation with everything back to normal after making hours.

Ugh. I hate this. I do work with partners that love me. After my first year I was told not to worry about my job security and that "if you go, I go." I guess I need to have a talk with them.

[mfluder]

Jan 8, 2013 23:52:50 GMT -5 thedutchgirl said:

My firm too, unfortunately. Anything other than the automatic bump with class year, and accompanying raise, is a sign things aren't going well.

Law firms are notoriously bad about making this clear to people. They hint around the edges but make it sound like the person can save it. He or she generally can't.

somehow it's good to hear its not just my firm; though stupid.

[mfluder]

Jan 8, 2013 23:55:35 GMT -5 hbomdiggity said:

Jan 8, 2013 23:44:43 GMT -5 @misoangry said:

I agree with BirdGirl.

Get out.

I hate to say it, but you're basically on probation.

I totally felt like this past year was probation. That's what so frustrating because I figured I'd be off probation with everything back to normal after making hours.

Ugh. I hate this. I do work with partners that love me. After my first year I was told not to worry about my job security and that "if you go, I go." I guess I need to have a talk with them.

firms fucking suck. :drink: it can be a management issue - where who has the power is in different hands. I'm in a satellite office which sometimes means the people who make decisions about me don't know me.( It can also mean I fly under the radar sometimes on the flip side.)

[Deleted]

Jan 8, 2013 23:55:35 GMT -5 hbomdiggity said:

Jan 8, 2013 23:44:43 GMT -5 @misoangry said:

I agree with BirdGirl.

Get out.

I hate to say it, but you're basically on probation.

I totally felt like this past year was probation. That's what so frustrating because I figured I'd be off probation with everything back to normal after making hours.

Ugh. I hate this. I do work with partners that love me. After my first year I was told not to worry about my job security and that "if you go, I go." I guess I need to have a talk with them.

If your partners really loved you, you never would've gotten to this point.

Cut the ties ASAP. The people there are doing you no favors.