Just another first year associate freaking out about hours Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm a first-year associate at a firm that has an unassigned first-year system. Thus far, I only have about 115 billable hours for the month of January, and hitting pace is ~160/month. I've let our staffing coordinator know that I have the capacity to take on more matters, and I've reached out to everyone I've worked with thus far to see if there is anything else I can help with. I keep getting responses along the lines of "there isn't anything at the moment, but we'll reach out to you once we have something." Thus far, my reviews have been overwhelmingly positive so I don't think I'm getting shut out by any of the groups, but I'm really concerned about being behind and continuing to be slow beyond this month.

[Anonymous User]

I'm a first-year associate at a firm that has an unassigned first-year system. Thus far, I only have about 115 billable hours for the month of January, and hitting pace is ~160/month. I've let our staffing coordinator know that I have the capacity to take on more matters, and I've reached out to everyone I've worked with thus far to see if there is anything else I can help with. I keep getting responses along the lines of "there isn't anything at the moment, but we'll reach out to you once we have something." Thus far, my reviews have been overwhelmingly positive so I don't think I'm getting shut out by any of the groups, but I'm really concerned about being behind and continuing to be slow beyond this month.

I'm also a first-year, and I don't think 115 is bad at all, especially for just starting out. That's about my average for the few months I've been at my firm. I think it's just going to take a while for us to get fully integrated. On top of that, depending on your practice area, there might be ebbs and flows in hours.

[Elston Gunn]

The title of the thread implies you’ve read the others and know what responses you’re going to get, but just want us to comfort you anyway. Which I guess is fair enough, big law is tough on the psyche.

Anyway, here you go: Nothing you’ve described even so much as hints at there being something to worry about. Bookmark this thread to look back on wistfully when all of the partners you’ve been asking for work all staff you on new matters at the same time.

[nahumya]

The title of the thread implies you’ve read the others and know what responses you’re going to get, but just want us to comfort you anyway. Which I guess is fair enough, big law is tough on the psyche.

Anyway, here you go: Nothing you’ve described even so much as hints at there being something to worry about. Bookmark this thread to look back on wistfully when all of the partners you’ve been asking for work all staff you on new matters at the same time.

Yep.

[Anonymous User]

I am having the opposite issue. I have been at the firm for about three months now and I seem to be getting more and more work every week, getting staffed on more new matters and people saying they asked to have me work for them, while the other first year has much less work than I do...afraid of burning out and wondering why there’s such a huge difference in terms of hours among the first years

[2013]

I’m very confused. You’re in pace for 160 hours and you’re freaking out?