I left my first firm 1.5 years in and have been at second firm for 8 months. I’m in a satellite office and work has been slow for a few months now (2000 requirement, I’m having trouble getting to 150 a month). Most of my work comes from me contacting partners in other offices, which doesn’t seem sustainable and I don’t have a solid flow of work coming in. I do feel pressure to meet hours despite partners in my satellite telling me work is slow. They basically told me that I need to keep hustling for hours by getting work from the other offices.
This is scary to me and work has never been a problem. First firm I had more work than I wanted, but I’d kill to have that problem again. I’m thinking of searching for another job, but it sucks I’ve only been here for 8 months. With that said, I fear that I’ll either be let go or put on contract basis or something if I don’t hit my hours. Any thoughts on whether I should start looking around?
Leaving new firm 8 months in Forum
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Anonymous User
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Re: Leaving new firm 8 months in
Stick it out until you either get fired or the talk. They acknowledge its slow. I imagine its also slow everywhere else, from what I am hearing. At least now, you have a solid paycheck and if they fire you or let you go, as opposed to leaving on your own, you can collect unemployment as well.
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Moneytrees
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Re: Leaving new firm 8 months in
You could put some feelers out in case your current firm decides to let you go unexpectedly. I'm not sure if I would preemptively lateral unless you are totally sure you are about to be given the talk. Most firms are slow right now so you'd probably have the same problem you have at any firm you lateral to.Anonymous User wrote: ↑Mon Apr 24, 2023 2:46 pmI left my first firm 1.5 years in and have been at second firm for 8 months. I’m in a satellite office and work has been slow for a few months now (2000 requirement, I’m having trouble getting to 150 a month). Most of my work comes from me contacting partners in other offices, which doesn’t seem sustainable and I don’t have a solid flow of work coming in. I do feel pressure to meet hours despite partners in my satellite telling me work is slow. They basically told me that I need to keep hustling for hours by getting work from the other offices.
This is scary to me and work has never been a problem. First firm I had more work than I wanted, but I’d kill to have that problem again. I’m thinking of searching for another job, but it sucks I’ve only been here for 8 months. With that said, I fear that I’ll either be let go or put on contract basis or something if I don’t hit my hours. Any thoughts on whether I should start looking around?
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NoLongerALurker
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Re: Leaving new firm 8 months in
Maybe worth a lateral if you can be sure the new firm will pay out your bonus regardless of hours
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Anonymous User
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Re: Leaving new firm 8 months in
In a similar situation: been at my second firm for 2 years after lateraling as a first year. Work has never been steady. Was busy from Q1 2022 until mid Q3 2022 but have been slow since (less than 100 hours a month slow). No one has really mentioned it but I'm certainly not getting opportunities to develop right now. Those more senior are hoarding what work there is and the juniors that are busier are doing more of a type of corp work that I don't do a lot of. Contemplating lateraling before I get axed as well as to get better work flow.
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Anonymous User
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Re: Leaving new firm 8 months in
OP here. Thanks all. Follow up question: Is it appropriate to tell other firms in interviews that I am leaving this firm due to lack of hours?
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Anonymous User
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Re: Leaving new firm 8 months in
I don't see the issue. I billed less than 20 hours one month this year. Who cares?Anonymous User wrote: ↑Mon Apr 24, 2023 2:46 pmI left my first firm 1.5 years in and have been at second firm for 8 months. I’m in a satellite office and work has been slow for a few months now (2000 requirement, I’m having trouble getting to 150 a month). Most of my work comes from me contacting partners in other offices, which doesn’t seem sustainable and I don’t have a solid flow of work coming in. I do feel pressure to meet hours despite partners in my satellite telling me work is slow. They basically told me that I need to keep hustling for hours by getting work from the other offices.
This is scary to me and work has never been a problem. First firm I had more work than I wanted, but I’d kill to have that problem again. I’m thinking of searching for another job, but it sucks I’ve only been here for 8 months. With that said, I fear that I’ll either be let go or put on contract basis or something if I don’t hit my hours. Any thoughts on whether I should start looking around?
I feel like lawyers oscillate between two stances:
1. "Aargh, it's so much work, I need a break!"
2. "Ugh, there is no work, I need more, otherwise I'll be fired!"
Of course you're going to get a nervous breakdown that way. Just relax. See a therapist. Take it as it is. You cannot change the economy and you are not in charge of business development and pitching. It never hurts to look around, but I wouldn't be worried. A lot of firms are quiet.
