First year who started in January—normal to be slow? Forum

[Anonymous User]

My firm deferred my first year class, so we just started a couple of weeks ago. I’m in transactional and I’m pretty slow despite regularly reaching out for work. I’ve billed 20 hours in two weeks. This is normal, right? I know stub years usually have a “ramp up” period and everyone says that no one cares about stub hours, but I’m not sure that technically applies to those of us who don’t have a true stub year due to being deferred.

I am also a bit concerned because the other first year in my group goes into the office a couple of times a week (it’s optional for us), while I haven’t gone in at all because I’m not comfortable doing so. It seems that only 2 attorneys in my group (out of 20+) are going in, though, so I don’t think it would make a difference if I went into the office?

[Anonymous User]

yeah that's normal. your time will come, don't worry lol.

unless all the people that give you work are also in the office (and stupidly insisting you go as well), it doesn't matter.

[target_corp]

Yes, it's normal. You're fine.

[Anonymous User]

This is sooooooo normal. You literally just got there a few weeks ago. They don't even know what to do with you yet, and frankly, you don't know how to do anything by yourself yet. It'll take a bit of time to ramp up and get you up to speed. In a few months, you'll think fondly on this time where you had nothing to do.

[Anonymous User]

Also started remotely after a deferral. I went from 0 billables one week to 43 the next. It can be like a faucet turning on.

[avenuem]

Also started remotely after a deferral. I went from 0 billables one week to 43 the next. It can be like a faucet turning on.

Many faucets can turn on and let out a very minimal or moderate amount of water, because they can be controlled by you, rather than go from 0 to 43. A more appropriate analogy might be that billable hours can be like the trading value of volatile stock, low one moment and high the next.