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Hi all. I was just wondering if anyone else is or has been in the same boat and knows how much of a big deal this is. I lateraled into a commercial lit group at a V30 in April and my hours have just sucked. All of the partners I work with tell me to hold tight and that things will work out, but I don’t think I’m on the path to meet my hours this year. I would have a ton of catching up to do. Call me a pessimist but I don’t see it happening. What’s the prognosis here? Is this something that I can recover from after this year, or am I making a bad impression right off the bat? I just feel so uneasy.

I lateraled as a junior to a new firm and didn't bill more than 130 for over 4 full months. I started to get worried towards the end but I just don't think they were making the right effort to staff me/the holidays. After my review, they told me just to reach out for work more but that they were happy with my hire. I've been billing on average about 170 since then. Try to relax although I know it's hard...

Has anyone or know anyone actually been pushed out for low hours within a year of lateralling? I know a majority of responses are "just relax and enjoy the slow time, it takes some time to integrate laterals and work will pick up" but that can't be the case for everyone. I'm also worried about low hours as a lateral.

I lateraled in 2021 as a 2nd year and was told by seniors in our group that by my third month I should be at 180+. Turns out that happened in the second month, but I would have been nervous probably at the 4-month mark.

Mind you, that was during a roaring economy without a threat of recession. It wouldn't surprise me if corporate groups are suddenly having to recalibrate staffing and it takes additional time to integrate laterals. As always, I think you need to take the temperature of your group and other associates at your approximate class level.

Maybe I’m too sanguine about this stuff but new first years and laterals are the people who I really wouldn’t be worried about cutting.

There are definitely other groups being talked about right now but cutting first years and laterals is not your first or second order of operations.

Why would a firm hire a lateral only to cut them when they don't have enough work? I know firms can be cruel, but that sounds ridiculous to me.

Unless you think the reason your hours are low is due to poor performance (partners would tell you that, not to hang tight), then I can't image you have much to worry about. My understanding is that firms typically expect a ramp-up period, and from what I've seen that can take several months. That can be even longer in a lit practice, where matters operate on longer timeframes and where it can be hard to find the right balance of cases. They may have hired you to staff some cases that haven't yet officially come in, but are on the horizon.

Anyway, if you're worried about appearances (though nobody will remember your ramp up period if you do good work when things do get busy), then take on a substantial pro bono matter. It shows initiative and that you don't want to sit idly. Also, if you do well, the partner may find some billable work for you.