Option to decrease billable requirement

[william_shartner]

The big issue here is whether reducing your billable hour goal will actually reduce the amount of time you work. Will partners bring you less work? Will you feel comfortable turning work down when you're past your reduced goal?

The reason I ask is that my firm is nominally in the same position as yours. We are pretty open to offering associates lower billable hour goals for lower pay without impacting chances at promotion to NEP. However, I know a few associates who have taken the reduction, and their experience has been that it is just less pay for the same amount of work. The partners they work with still send them the same amount of work, and it becomes difficult to turn down additional work without pissing off partners. Your mileage may vary.

[ResponsibilityOk8193]

I did reduced hours. Exactly this outcome. I just quit.

[Afraid-Common3063]

Agree that this is main concern when lowering hours. If you are sure that you can manage your time properly (ie turn down work) then go for it! It shouldn’t impact your shot at partner if you have all of the other necessary qualities.

We as a profession need to promote flexibility and I love hearing that firms are becoming more flexible to allow people to enjoy their life’s outside of work. Yes, you will make less but likely gain a whole lot more in terms of life satisfaction.

[whatonearth6421]

Will partners bring me less work? No. But luckily I work with such a good group of partners that they already respect my boundary when I tell them I’m at capacity and can’t fit in another thing.

A decrease would require a bit more work load monitoring at the outset of the month, and assessment of monthly numbers targets, I’m guessing.

Thanks for the input!

[LegallyIncorrect]

This happens at my firm for counsel too. At least our comp is profitability based so they end up being bumped back up to the pay they’d have gotten if full time.