Slow Times Forum

[spyke123]

I think like most things, truth lies somewhere in between "relax and enjoy the slow times, you will get swamped soon" and "youre are gonna get axed tomorrow unless you find more work". Context matters a lot here - whether the firm tends to keep low billers around or quickly let them go, whether you had a slow year or a busy year overall, whether others in your class/group are slow or busy and your class year.

[jarofsoup]

Maybe I just have an anxiety issue but I have put in 120 hours or so this month which is slow. I don’t know if others or slower or busier.

Could be the case that they have matters that became more active during the holidays I don’t know. No big new matter has come through the doors. But, I do know that being in a satellite office makes it harder for me to get work.


I have this constant fear of being fired. I am a mid level lateral.

[Person1111]

Maybe I just have an anxiety issue but I have put in 120 hours or so this month which is slow. I don’t know if others or slower or busier.

Could be the case that they have matters that became more active during the holidays I don’t know. No big new matter has come through the doors. But, I do know that being in a satellite office makes it harder for me to get work.


I have this constant fear of being fired. I am a mid level lateral.

I think 120ish hours in December is fine and typical, particularly for litigators.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

I keep hoping I’ll get fired but unfortunately it hasn’t happened.

[hatelawandgoinghome]

I keep hoping I’ll get fired but unfortunately it hasn’t happened.

Same. New year res: get fired so I can get on with my life instead of worrying about shit no one else cares about.

[TigerIsBack]

Not to derail, but what do you all consider a bad month in terms of hours? 200? 225? 250?

I've had 200+ hour months in the past that didn't feel nearly as rough as the ~185-190 that I'll do this December (which included working on xmas). I assume it's just feeling rougher than normal because of the holidays and my mindset of (incorrectly) assuming I'd get some R&R over the holidays.

[Anonymous User]

Not to derail, but what do you all consider a bad month in terms of hours? 200? 225? 250?

I've had 200+ hour months in the past that didn't feel nearly as rough as the ~185-190 that I'll do this December (which included working on xmas). I assume it's just feeling rougher than normal because of the holidays and my mindset of (incorrectly) assuming I'd get some R&R over the holidays.

When I get around 230 to 250 it’s a harder month. It kind of gets hard for me to keep track of time above 250.

I could consistently do 200 and be fine. That would be ideal.

Especially because I am not junior so it’s not like I am doing doc review. Those are substantive hours.

[QContinuum]

Not to derail, but what do you all consider a bad month in terms of hours? 200? 225? 250?

I've had 200+ hour months in the past that didn't feel nearly as rough as the ~185-190 that I'll do this December (which included working on xmas). I assume it's just feeling rougher than normal because of the holidays and my mindset of (incorrectly) assuming I'd get some R&R over the holidays.

If you're consistently slow during the day, then getting stuff at 9 PM that needs to be turned around that night (as happened to me frequently this month), that's extraordinarily draining, even if it isn't reflected in your billables. Likewise being forced to work flat-out on Xmas Eve/Day and New Year's when everyone who isn't swamped has larked off on vacation.