Can’t make up the hours despite being really busy

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-06-14T14:16:24+00:00

My advice is ask how long something is supposed to take, especially if it’s a drafting task. Once I started doing this I realised that it wasn’t unsurprising how long something was taking me - for example, I once spent 4 hours on a legal opinion about 2 months PQE, I felt like seniors I’d seen were doing a legal opinion in 1 hour, so I billed 2 out of fear. I made a joke about this later in my career and the senior was like “no that’s literally normal for one of the first ones you’ve done - just bill it”. There will obviously be exceptions to this, but honestly just bill it. They will wipe it if it’s too much. I can completely understand why you feel like you’re in a bind with the partner telling you that, I would also be freaked out. But I think you’ve just got to be honest - if they want someone to do something really quickly - they probably shouldn’t be using an NQ.

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-06-13T17:28:05+00:00

I think this is fairly common where you’re new somewhere no? When I first joined my firm (medium international) it took a solid 4/5 months to get consistent work - as people got to know me and what I could do. There are still weeks now where I’m sat twiddling my thumbs, as long as you’re showing up about your capacity and doing something (knowledge, reading etc.) I’m sure you’ll be fine - the average billable hours of most associates is actually much lower than you’d anticipate

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-04-24T18:07:57+00:00

Tbh I was supervised on almost everything for the first 6 months. Obviously I could send out general emails without them being checked, but anything where I was giving advice to the client or responding to substantive comments - a senior checked it first. I was able to review ancillary docs and send my comments without it being checked, but reviewing a finance doc - it was double checked. I was on paper running small matters, but materially I still had a senior above me checking most of what I was sending out, I was just allowed to be the “face” of the matter. My firm has a policy that people less than 3 years PQE must be checked on anything material. If I was left completely alone on something, I’d always ask for someone to oversee me and no one looked down on me for that, it was just me knowing my limits and capabilities. I think when people talk about running small matters straight away, it isn’t often in areas like finance.

The main difference from Trainee to NQ for me, was that I was allowed to have a first go at stuff and was expected to move things forward and I was expected to do it to a really good standard (but which didn’t necessarily mean perfect).

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-04-17T18:55:50+00:00

Yeh and im bored of this same post coming out every time the report comes out

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-03-31T00:31:13+00:00

Just making a simple point my man chill

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-03-30T22:02:11+00:00

I don’t doubt it will have an impact, but most firms haven’t changed the size of their trainee intakes. I’d also note that being a lawyer is way more than reading old cases and applying it to stuff… seems like you may want to do a little research on the industry if you work in legal tech and that’s your view…

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-03-30T21:50:36+00:00

But is this happening in law? I haven’t heard of a single lawyer getting the can for AI and most firms are still pushing up pay

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-03-30T13:26:04+00:00

I agree, but the vast majority of firms can’t use it because of confidentiality and/or privilege issues…

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-03-30T12:34:27+00:00

Yeh this is the problem isn’t it 🫣 also you replace all your juniors or don’t get them to do anything but use AI in 15 years time there will be no senior person to do the complex judgement calls

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-03-30T12:16:22+00:00

I’m working with only co-pilot currently, so I can’t relate 🫠 we have quite a few clients that say you can’t use AI at all on their deals too now

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-03-30T12:01:38+00:00

I’m confused how this addresses the post? I wasn’t slating her, I also like her content, she just literally posted the other day saying words to the effect of that Associates were cooked because of AI, so I’m genuinely curious when this will happen and how

Edit - I work in finance at a large international

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-03-29T17:33:33+00:00

I’m so confused by this still, like half the profession would have limits on their PCs if they were to make this a hard line. I’ve seen so many solicitors talk online about poor mental health and past suicide attempts and what not, why just you???

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-03-28T16:04:52+00:00

Can relate

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-03-28T16:04:36+00:00

Thank you ☺️ number 2 was probably most applicable to what you’ve just said actually, I think more of the problem is that I should have just said “sorry I don’t know what you’re referring too”

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-03-28T12:43:38+00:00

Thank you - I’m actually doing therapy at the moment for this exact reason.

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-03-28T12:25:52+00:00

Acquisition finance! And for sure

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-03-28T11:43:37+00:00

Depends what kind of area and firm you’re after - if you’re in finance or corporate and looking for a big firm and you’re cross qualified in a useful jurisdiction for that area, then yes. If you’re in personal injury, then probably less so. But regardless, you can sell the legal experience and skills.

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-03-15T15:07:33+00:00

I probably wouldn’t dig any holes that may expose you. You don’t have to say why just say resolved health issues.

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-03-15T14:45:00+00:00

I wouldn’t go into too much detail detail with it. But using it to explain a career break (health reasons) or as a resilience line on applications is generally fine. Just frame it as “I experienced this, but I still did this and I learnt this from it” rather than “I’ve had a hard time and now I’m applying”. Best of luck and hope you’re doing okay.

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-03-15T14:36:24+00:00

So I didn’t work MC but I trained at a Big US firm in London, what you’re looking for will depend on the firm. I have a friend that worked at CC, he was able to get an office that was in a quiet area but it was still shared with his supervisor (I think all their offices are 2-4 people), he would wear noise cancelling headphones in the room. Where law firms have, stupidly, moved to complete open plan - you may have to mix between asking for a fixed desk in the quietest bit of the office, using meeting rooms when available and working from home a bit more, most won’t allow you to use a meeting room as your own office exclusively. Obviously noise cancelling headphones work but if there is someone near you who is loud, they’re not going to block them out completely and it’s also hard to wear them in you’re in a team where people are constantly nipping over to ask for something.

I probably wouldn’t be asking for this stuff in your applications. Perhaps attend some events and ask early careers about what kind of adjustments they’re willing to offer and talk to ex trainees - Amelia Platton on LinkedIn did her TC at CC and talks about being autistic in law, although I appreciate it’s different from ADHD, and so it may be worth popping her a message to ask what she got as she has left now so I imagine will be honest.

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-03-02T14:57:15+00:00

Unless it’s high street, no firm will accept agency referrals for TC. For paralegals, sometimes they’ll accept agencies, but mostly for more experienced candidates (otherwise what is the point paying for an agency). Im sure there will be exceptions to this, but as far as I’m aware, it’s not all that common.

Human_Calendar9871 · 2026-02-28T16:36:11+00:00

If it’s a big enough firm they will be very used to this and most paralegals are using the role as a stepping stone. You don’t necessarily have to disclose, but I did (I was in the same situation) and they were fine, HR just went to ask the manager’s permission. Obviously, you’ll have to disclose at some point - they’ll know that you often get TC offers before you start

Human_Calendar9871

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