Barely missed bonus threshold...will they take care of me? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Title says it all. I messed up counting my hours in the last couple weeks of December, and just got my "official" hours report for the month. Missed the bonus threshold by like 7 hours (our first threshold that's the difference between $0 and getting a bonus). Any chance the firm will take care of me and still give me some sort of bonus? Junior associate, positive reviews at mid-year if it matters.

[patent_guy]

Title says it all. I messed up counting my hours in the last couple weeks of December, and just got my "official" hours report for the month. Missed the bonus threshold by like 7 hours (our first threshold that's the difference between $0 and getting a bonus). Any chance the firm will take care of me and still give me some sort of bonus? Junior associate, positive reviews at mid-year if it matters.

Sure, there’s a chance... depends on how much they like you, whether the firm has “takes care of” other associates in your position before, etc. Impossible for an Internet forum to provide good advice here.

[Anonymous User]

Title says it all. I messed up counting my hours in the last couple weeks of December, and just got my "official" hours report for the month. Missed the bonus threshold by like 7 hours (our first threshold that's the difference between $0 and getting a bonus). Any chance the firm will take care of me and still give me some sort of bonus? Junior associate, positive reviews at mid-year if it matters.

Sure, there’s a chance... depends on how much they like you, whether the firm has “takes care of” other associates in your position before, etc. Impossible for an Internet forum to provide good advice here.

Fair... I guess the question is moreso "has anyone else in biglaw seen/experienced this previously?"

[The Lsat Airbender]

It's not unheard-of, especially for stub/1st-years. But if you're a 2nd- or 3rd-year and the threshold is 2k and you billed 1993 then I think you're more likely than not missing out.

Firms often go easy on people who do good work and simply weren't busy enough early on but, on the other hand, the system isn't designed to protect people who were trying to barely clear the bar and messed up. So cross your fingers but don't make plans for the money and definitely don't bother partners or HR about this.

[Anonymous User]

It's not unheard-of, especially for stub/1st-years. But if you're a 2nd- or 3rd-year and the threshold is 2k and you billed 1993 then I think you're more likely than not missing out.

Firms often go easy on people who do good work and simply weren't busy enough early on but, on the other hand, the system isn't designed to protect people who were trying to barely clear the bar and messed up. So cross your fingers but don't make plans for the money and definitely don't bother partners or HR about this.

OP here. thanks for the tips. I am a first year. Was very slow in the first half, very busy in the second half of the year, so some cautious optimism but not expecting much... it is biglaw after all.

[Tree]

I have heard a story about someone a few years ago hitting the billable hours target but missing the "contribution" hours by 1 hour, and for that reason not getting a bonus. But I have also heard a story about someone last year getting a bonus despite being a little light on billable hours. (different firms, different stories)

It is case by case. If you're solid, given the strong economy you probably have a good case. Good luck to you.

[Anonymous User]

My firm has a threshold, but it's a little discretionary (something like "you're eligible for a bonus at 2000 hours but the firm can give bonuses at lower hours in its discretion"). I was a few hours shy of hitting the number, although I'm a senior associate. I talked to a couple of partners about my situation and also wrote about my expectations in my review, and I ended up getting the bonus. I think if you're valued and are doing good work, they could come through for you, but it really depends on your firm (and your group) and how they generally approach these items. Some firms have a true cut-off, or only make exceptions for things like having worked on significant non-billables projects.

[nealric]

It's very much individual circumstances. The firm will give you a bonus if they feel like it. Likely up to the department head. I missed hours by a less trivial amount, but got a bonus anyways when I was a first year because I had put in a ton of non-billable hours for a couple of partners who appreciated it. Those calls are probably easier for first years given that the bonus is a less substantial amount of money. They might be a bit harder nosed for a 7th year due for a six figure bonus.

[shock259]

My old firm wouldn't have paid this, but they really should. I heard of them not paying out for 3 hours below the threshold. I would talk to a partner you trust and have them go to bat for you.

[wet.ink.sigs]

To offer another data point, when I was a first year, our staffing coordinator told our class that the firm wouldn't stiff you on your bonus if you were within 10 hours of the threshold. Now, I don't know of anyone who ever actually fell into that 10-hour gap. But generally agree with others in this thread that now is the best odds you'll ever have, given the overall strength of the market and the relatively insignificant amount at stake for a first year bonus.

[Anonymous User]

Title says it all. I messed up counting my hours in the last couple weeks of December, and just got my "official" hours report for the month. Missed the bonus threshold by like 7 hours (our first threshold that's the difference between $0 and getting a bonus). Any chance the firm will take care of me and still give me some sort of bonus? Junior associate, positive reviews at mid-year if it matters.

Sure, there’s a chance... depends on how much they like you, whether the firm has “takes care of” other associates in your position before, etc. Impossible for an Internet forum to provide good advice here.

Fair... I guess the question is moreso "has anyone else in biglaw seen/experienced this previously?"

Depends on the firm, but I think if you are asking the question, your firm is probably the type that will stiff you. I know of someone at Sidley who missed their hours target by 30 hours and did not get a bonus (3rd year, so 50k).

[hdivschool]

At my firm, you would not get the bonus.

[Yugihoe]

OP did the firm make you whole?

[Anonymous User]

OP did the firm make you whole?

OP here: TBD. No bonus discussion at firm yet. Will report back as an additional data point for posterity. I did take the path of not addressing it with any partner though -- I couldn't think of a tactful way of saying "oh btw i fucked up by 8 hrs in december, but can i still have my money?"

[shock259]

Wait, so you didn't bring it up with anyone? That seems like a surefire way to get nothing. It could be awkward but it's also like $20k+? It's not like you risk burning a bridge by asking what you're basically entitled to (+8 hours).

Your call obviously, but that seems a little crazy to me.

[Yugihoe]

Wait, so you didn't bring it up with anyone? That seems like a surefire way to get nothing. It could be awkward but it's also like $20k+? It's not like you risk burning a bridge by asking what you're basically entitled to (+8 hours).

Your call obviously, but that seems a little crazy to me.

Yea that's wild. I would have certainly asked at least a trusted partner. It's not like you're off by 50 or 100 or something. 8 hours is very minimal.

[oldlawstudent56]

OP here: TBD. No bonus discussion at firm yet. Will report back as an additional data point for posterity. I did take the path of not addressing it with any partner though -- I couldn't think of a tactful way of saying "oh btw i fucked up by 8 hrs in december, but can i still have my money?"

Scared money don't make money .

[merde_happens]

OP did the firm make you whole?

OP here: TBD. No bonus discussion at firm yet. Will report back as an additional data point for posterity. I did take the path of not addressing it with any partner though -- I couldn't think of a tactful way of saying "oh btw i fucked up by 8 hrs in december, but can i still have my money?"

This is exactly what associates' committee (or whatever your firm's version of it is) is there for. I would reach out to them ASAP because barring your explanation it just looks to whoever determines bonuses that you missed the hours cutoff.