Top Law Schools

First month at my new firm ended. I billed just north of 100 hours. I think my team is busy, and everyone is hovering around 200, so this obviously doesn’t look good. I know ramp up slows down billing and stuff, but after how many months should I be concerned.

I feel like everyone is too busy to even give me work at this point.

Any other people lateral during covid and have a really slow first month?

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 26, 2021 11:49 am

First month at my new firm ended. I billed just north of 100 hours. I think my team is busy, and everyone is hovering around 200, so this obviously doesn’t look good. I know ramp up slows down billing and stuff, but after how many months should I be concerned.

I feel like everyone is too busy to even give me work at this point.

Any other people lateral during covid and have a really slow first month?

I lateraled a few months ago, very similar hours to you the first eight weeks or so. It picked up. The firm/partners know it takes time to ramp up. A partner was considerate enough to mention in an e-mail that laterals take time to ramp up the first year, so don't sweat it. I suspect that's the same industry-wide.

Both times I've lateraled I've not had a slow first month or even second month. People are busy and they see someone new so they make a concerted effort to get you work.

However, because you're new, you're not fully integrated or anyone's "go to" yet, so the work does eventually dry up and just trickles in. Usually when other people say no. It does take at least a year to get fully integrated IMO.

I wouldn't sweat it unless it matters from a bonus perspective.

I lateraled last year. First month ~80, second month ~140. 200+ every month since. It'll come. You probably heard this a bunch as a junior, but enjoy it while you can.

I was slow first month and a bit after when I lateralled. Often depends on how easy it is to get someone into a deal based on the practice area.

Thanks all. This is all reassuring. I’ve been thrown onto a few deals that went pencils down, which also affected my hours, I think.