Had to Stay Late: Getting Nervous Forum

[Anonymous User]

So I just started working at biglaw a few weeks ago. Last night at like 5pm a partner gave me some work and told me to have it ready by the next morning. I ended up having to stay past 8pm to finish it. Freaking out a bit. Is this a normal occurrence in biglaw?

P.S. I really don't mind coming in early I just hate staying late. Plus a lack of control over mu schedule gets me nervous.

[mephistopheles]

[Anonymous User]

OP here.

What is the joke? During my SA this firm was all about "having a life outside of work" and "humane hours". In fact that's why I picked them.

[utahraptor]

This is very creative and funny.

[Anonymous User]

This is very creative and funny.

Explain please.

-OP

[Lincoln]

This is very creative and funny.

Explain please.

-OP

Just in case this isn't flame, I've billed 37 hrs in the last two days and haven't left at 8 since my first week at work. Maybe that's extreme, but it's a lot more normal than what you seem to be expecting.

[middlebear]

OP here.

What is the joke? During my SA this firm was all about "having a life outside of work" and "humane hours". In fact that's why I picked them.

Every firm spews out some propaganda about work-life balance or whatever. They pay that lip service, but it is still the Big Law beast, and its nature is unchanged. You will work ridiculous hours. You will not be the one deciding those hours.

[Anonymous User]

OP here.

What is the joke? During my SA this firm was all about "having a life outside of work" and "humane hours". In fact that's why I picked them.

In case this isn't a flame...

Let's say your firm requires you to bill 2200 hours per year.

If you work 50 weeks a year (two weeks vacation), that's 44 billable hours a week.

Then add in the general rule: you work three hours for every two billable hours (firm events, meetings, luncheons, non-billable work, etc.).

Now you're looking at a 66 hour work-week. Then add the fact you will be billing more hours when there's a pressing event (finishing up a merger, litigation deadline, etc.). As you've already found out, partners don't really care that you came in early if they need something by the next morning.

So on average, you're looking at six 11 hour days per week, or five 13 hour days a week.

And lastly, these are rough averages. You should read this thread, which shows how and why your hours will depend on client demands: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=208176

[911 crisis actor]

Lol @ people who are treating this thread as if it isn't flame

[BVest]

OP here.

What is the joke? During my SA this firm was all about "having a life outside of work" and "humane hours". In fact that's why I picked them.

I assume this is a flame. All the same, That was recruiting. Now you're an associate.

[Anonymous User]

I get the 2200 billable hours thing. My firm does not have an official billable requirement.

Edit: Not flame. I actually believe what people tell me. Especially actual associates at my firm. What incentive do they have to lie?

-OP

[FSK]

OP, there's no way you've been on TLS for more than 3 minutes and don't' realize you sound completely asinine. Mods, can we just out/ban this now?

[ilikebaseball]

Jesus fucking Christ. Its ridiculous that people can't post here without this type of reaction. Just answer or if you don't have anything relevant to say besides "this is phony you're an asshole" then don't respond and move the fuck on with your life.

-not OP

[glitter178]

Jesus fucking Christ. Its ridiculous that people can't post here without this type of reaction. Just answer or if you don't have anything relevant to say besides "this is phony you're an asshole" then don't respond and move the fuck on with your life.

-not OP

I think this sentiment is sometimes warranted, but not this time. I have no idea how anyone could think, for even one second, that a 160k salary given to a know nothing 1st year associate wouldn't come with long and unpredictable hours. OR that anyone would believe that a no formal billable hour requirement meant that you'd work standard office hours.

[A. Nony Mouse]

But really, though, someone who's spent any amount of time on TLS being surprised that they have to stay late and have no control over their schedule in biglaw is sort of baffling.

[Anonymous User]

Jesus fucking Christ. Its ridiculous that people can't post here without this type of reaction. Just answer or if you don't have anything relevant to say besides "this is phony you're an asshole" then don't respond and move the fuck on with your life.

-not OP

Thanks for this. I guess I wont post anymore regarding this issue. I feel dumb that I didn't realize there was some general knowledge I am apparently lacking.

-OP

[rinkrat19]

Hey OP,

Also, there is no Santa Claus. And when you forward that chain email, Bill Gates is not going to send you a million dollars.

[FSK]

You did a summer associate stint. Did you actually talk to any associates, like at all?

[Anonymous User]

You did a summer associate stint. Did you actually talk to any associates, like at all?

Hung out with a bunch of them at the events. They were all about work/life balance, and were obviously able to make it to most of the events. Some seemed a bit more intense but that seemed rare.

[fats provolone]

maybe if you spent less time on TLS you could get your work done by 6.

-OP's boss

[Anonymous User]

maybe if you spent less time on TLS you could get your work done by 6.

-OP's boss

Lol. Good point.

-OP

[Ron Don Volante]

Jesus fucking Christ. Its ridiculous that people can't post here without this type of reaction. Just answer or if you don't have anything relevant to say besides "this is phony you're an asshole" then don't respond and move the fuck on with your life.

-not OP

derp

also you can't post in this forum

[BVest]

You did a summer associate stint. Did you actually talk to any associates, like at all?

Hung out with a bunch of them at the events. They were all about work/life balance, and were obviously able to make it to most of the events. Some seemed a bit more intense but that seemed rare.

"Work/life balance" is an unquantified statement of reality versus subjective expectations. TCR would be finding out how many hours they were billing or "accidentally" leaving something at the office so that you could come back around 7:30 or 8 pm to retrieve it and see how many associates were still chained to their desks.

[rickgrimes69]

My fucking sides

[dixiecupdrinking]

What you've described is what happens at a firm with good work life balance.

At a firm with bad work life balance, they give you the assignment at 8 and you work until midnight.