1st years - after 6 months, how much longer do you want to stay in biglaw? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Current M&A first year at one the NYC firms with a seemingly limitless amount of SPAC work. I don't mind the work itself, but the volume, inability to disconnect ever, insane lack of work life separation and lower expenses of WFH/ working too much to have a personal life have me considering leaving soon after my year end bonus hits if I can find anything. I came in hoping to make it 3-5 years, but that seems naïve in hindsight.

Sam situation. Are you worried about not having enough experience to find a good in house job?

[Anonymous User]

The response to the poll is surprising. I wonder if there will be a large amount of early first year exits this year.

[Anonymous User]

Need some advice here from mid-levels and above.

I’m a first year that started in January. My hours for March, April, and May were 172, 195, 217, including a 60 hour week last week with no days off Memorial Day weekend or the weekend that just ended.

Project ended this morning, and I have had a slow day today since most of my other outstanding assignments are all longer term.

I feel so insanely guilty for only billing like 5 hours or so today. Am I being neurotic? Is it okay to just have slow days like this every once in a while as a breather? Can someone tell me to chill out or if I’m freaking out over nothing?

[Anonymous User]

Need some advice here from mid-levels and above.

I’m a first year that started in January. My hours for March, April, and May were 172, 195, 217, including a 60 hour week last week with no days off Memorial Day weekend or the weekend that just ended.

Project ended this morning, and I have had a slow day today since most of my other outstanding assignments are all longer term.

I feel so insanely guilty for only billing like 5 hours or so today. Am I being neurotic? Is it okay to just have slow days like this every once in a while as a breather? Can someone tell me to chill out or if I’m freaking out over nothing?

JFC. Chill out. I’ve been slow af for a week since a crazy deal ended. Calm down.

[whats an updog]

Need some advice here from mid-levels and above.

I’m a first year that started in January. My hours for March, April, and May were 172, 195, 217, including a 60 hour week last week with no days off Memorial Day weekend or the weekend that just ended.

Project ended this morning, and I have had a slow day today since most of my other outstanding assignments are all longer term.

I feel so insanely guilty for only billing like 5 hours or so today. Am I being neurotic? Is it okay to just have slow days like this every once in a while as a breather? Can someone tell me to chill out or if I’m freaking out over nothing?

JFC. Chill out. I’ve been slow af for a week since a crazy deal ended. Calm down.

Chill out +1

[Anonymous User]

Need some advice here from mid-levels and above.

I’m a first year that started in January. My hours for March, April, and May were 172, 195, 217, including a 60 hour week last week with no days off Memorial Day weekend or the weekend that just ended.

Project ended this morning, and I have had a slow day today since most of my other outstanding assignments are all longer term.

I feel so insanely guilty for only billing like 5 hours or so today. Am I being neurotic? Is it okay to just have slow days like this every once in a while as a breather? Can someone tell me to chill out or if I’m freaking out over nothing?

eat some nice takeout for dinner and try to unplug. it's okay.

[M458]

Need some advice here from mid-levels and above.

I’m a first year that started in January. My hours for March, April, and May were 172, 195, 217, including a 60 hour week last week with no days off Memorial Day weekend or the weekend that just ended.

Project ended this morning, and I have had a slow day today since most of my other outstanding assignments are all longer term.

I feel so insanely guilty for only billing like 5 hours or so today. Am I being neurotic? Is it okay to just have slow days like this every once in a while as a breather? Can someone tell me to chill out or if I’m freaking out over nothing?

5 billable hours isn't even that slow a day. Relax. If you billed like 0 hours for 2 consecutive weeks, then worth trying to get re-staffed.

[Anonymous User]

Need some advice here from mid-levels and above.

I’m a first year that started in January. My hours for March, April, and May were 172, 195, 217, including a 60 hour week last week with no days off Memorial Day weekend or the weekend that just ended.

Project ended this morning, and I have had a slow day today since most of my other outstanding assignments are all longer term.

I feel so insanely guilty for only billing like 5 hours or so today. Am I being neurotic? Is it okay to just have slow days like this every once in a while as a breather? Can someone tell me to chill out or if I’m freaking out over nothing?

My hours have been nowhere near that high despite me begging for work all the time. When I asked for work on Friday, I was told not to worry about it. I billed one entire hour today and 1.7 on Friday. I'm hoping someone gives me SOMETHING to do tomorrow, because I still haven't managed to bill enough to catch up my deficit from the first two months.

There is no way in hell I'm hitting the hours goal. I want that "don't worry about it" in writing.

Point is, it's not just you, if that's any comfort at all.

[Anonymous User]

Need some advice here from mid-levels and above.

I’m a first year that started in January. My hours for March, April, and May were 172, 195, 217, including a 60 hour week last week with no days off Memorial Day weekend or the weekend that just ended.

Project ended this morning, and I have had a slow day today since most of my other outstanding assignments are all longer term.

I feel so insanely guilty for only billing like 5 hours or so today. Am I being neurotic? Is it okay to just have slow days like this every once in a while as a breather? Can someone tell me to chill out or if I’m freaking out over nothing?

Chill - it's a marathon, not a race. You need slow periods to recharge or you're going to burn out. Some of the smartest/hardest working people I know are gone because they couldn't learn to relax in their down times.