Boomer outside counsel who insists on calling me incessantly, basically demanding I call him back

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He's sexist and stupid, and his age does have something to do with it, unfortunately.

Don't pick up. Your time and mental health are your priority. You can respond by email and write in the email that you prefer to communicate via this method.

Please do whatever it takes to not use him again for another project.

Yes, unfortunately age is part of it. He likely grew up at a time when there were no women lawyers at firms. Women were secretaries only. I'm sure he has come a long way, but it does affect one's perception, unintended or not.

That just is impossible for any Boomer lawyer. We have retired female partners from my firm who are in their 70s -- it's not like there weren't women at law firms in the 1980s and 1990s! This is not a new thing. It's also very, very rare for even older lawyers not to understand how email works. I have literally only one opposing counsel that is this way, and it's not due to his age -- it's becasue he's incompetent and also a little shady, so doesn't want things in writing.
Do you review the bills, or is that your inhouse GC? If it's your inhouse GC, let him or her know that this is going on, and that you don't think you should be paying for all these unnecessary and lengthy calls. But generally speaking, I don't see how he can force you to do this. Just don't answer his calls and send an email. Or set a quick 15 minute call for updates bimonthly, and then tell him "I'm sorry -- I need to run to my next meeting." Or just say "Thanks for the update, Bill, This call is running long and I'll need to jump off now, but please email me if there's anything I need to know."

If he's close to 80- which he probably is- then he probably went to law school in the early 70s, and no, there were not many (if any) women partners or really many women lawyers at all. Even when I started practicing in the 2000s, there were still far more many male partners than women partners.

Why 80?

Boomers were born post WW2.

They are 70 and 80 year old senior citizens.

Pelosi, Trump, Schumer, Elizabeth Warren... All boomers.

The previous previous poster said “if he’s close to 80 - which he probably is”

OP said boomer. No age given. She‘s never told us if he is 80 or 64. So, to that poster: why 80?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:op here checking in after a day or two. curious what deputy GC and big law guy would do.

So I called him back yesterday and left a message, saying essentially 'thanks for checking in with me, but we are good, i'll reach out with updates, and fyi i'm in team meetings all day today, and trying to close several other deals before FYE (true) so things are VERY busy, but happy holidays, Bob! Thanks for everything!'

He called back immediately- I was in team meetings all afternoon for real so I didn't pick up and then he called AGAIN this AM. Both times sounding terse, and not providing any detail on why we was calling, just saying 'call me back Larla'.

Huh? I do think some cognitive decline may be at play, which also excuses some of his defensiveness over substantive work and some of his other inappropriate behaviors/comments, but he's also just damned rude IMO. I am not sure why he thinks he can dictate when we speak. He is the relationship partner so there is no one else for me to call, I just have to deal and get through this period. The business knows there is an issue, and we are watching our bills (I review, but the spend comes out of a different department). It is clear that no one wants a blow up though...

You should have checked back earlier and maybe you would have taken the advice not to call him. He called and you called him back. You have let him think he can ask you to call him back because…you do!

Don’t call him back.

SMH

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Boomer is ageism. You both sound somewhat rude.

Eh, boomer is also about not liking technology

Hardly- a bunch of those boomers invented the technology!

Yes boomer invested electricity but still don't know how to use it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Boomer is ageism. You both sound somewhat rude.

Eh, boomer is also about not liking technology

Hardly- a bunch of those boomers invented the technology!

Yes boomer invested electricity but still don't know how to use it

At least we can write coherently.

[Anonymous]

Boomer is someone who was born following WW2, the grandparents of current college kids and 20 somethings. Senior citizens.

Yes, and being a Boomer is associated with specific attitudes about work, the role of work in one's life, and the need to talk through issues rather than just resolve them in an email or message. It is an age as well as a generational set of values and behaviors.

There are still many, many Boomers in the workplace, especially in the legal profession.

I am Gen X and well aware of how Boomer culture has impacted the workplace.

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand why people complain when someone who works for you or your company calls too much.

Just put their number on silence. If they call repeatedly and leave messages to call them then you email:

I am aware you have called on these dates and times, however your messages do not state the reason why you are calling. I have nothing to update you on. This is a busy month, so if you have anything to report or have a question please email me one or two lines about why you are calling so I will be prepared if a return call is needed.

[Anonymous]

Ignore his calls until you actually need him to do something! You are the client!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:op here checking in after a day or two. curious what deputy GC and big law guy would do.

So I called him back yesterday and left a message, saying essentially 'thanks for checking in with me, but we are good, i'll reach out with updates, and fyi i'm in team meetings all day today, and trying to close several other deals before FYE (true) so things are VERY busy, but happy holidays, Bob! Thanks for everything!'

He called back immediately- I was in team meetings all afternoon for real so I didn't pick up and then he called AGAIN this AM. Both times sounding terse, and not providing any detail on why we was calling, just saying 'call me back Larla'.

Huh? I do think some cognitive decline may be at play, which also excuses some of his defensiveness over substantive work and some of his other inappropriate behaviors/comments, but he's also just damned rude IMO. I am not sure why he thinks he can dictate when we speak. He is the relationship partner so there is no one else for me to call, I just have to deal and get through this period. The business knows there is an issue, and we are watching our bills (I review, but the spend comes out of a different department). It is clear that no one wants a blow up though...

Well, I'm Biglaw Guy I guess, and honestly I'm at a loss. It's not normal behavior for a relationship manager. How old is he, really? You haven't said. And he's not saying in his follow-up calls what exactly he's calling about? Just "call me back?" That's odd too because nothing sounds open ended.

I'd ignore the calls for now, I guess, and maybe consider reaching out to one of the more junior lawyers on his team at his firm and asking them if he's ok and for their thoughts on next steps? I would try to do this in a "concerned" way, not in an "annoyed" way. Plant the seed with the law firm and see what grows, I guess.

No law firm wants an 80 year old guy on a cognitive decline managing a major client. You're doing the firm a favor. Just don't be a dick about it. Remember: you're a team.

Op here. Thanks for chiming in again. It’s a weird situation. I inherited this relationship- he’s been doing these type of deals with my co for years- and unfortunately there is never a junior associate involved. Which is problematic too. There was one for awhile on my watch - a female POC - but he marginalized her and then made rude comments about her behind her back (as I mentioned earlier, there’s misogyny there). Fwiw I debate whether using just one lawyer is all bad (more efficient and lower fees to work with just one senior partner, rather than a partner plus a junior team in training and their billables) but then there’s no bench and you can end up here.

Anyway, no one else to tell, I have to just try to be as graceful as possible but it’s stupidly taking up more time in my brain than it should. He did finally email yesterday and this time he has something slightly substantive to ask about- he is looking for payment by FYE on his November bills. A fair request but we’ve already discussed it with him, I’ve approved his bills, so has the business and, we’ve reached out to accounts payable to expedite (we are usually net 60). He knows all this and could have just emailed with a status update question. His November bills are relatively tiny fwiw

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:op here checking in after a day or two. curious what deputy GC and big law guy would do.

So I called him back yesterday and left a message, saying essentially 'thanks for checking in with me, but we are good, i'll reach out with updates, and fyi i'm in team meetings all day today, and trying to close several other deals before FYE (true) so things are VERY busy, but happy holidays, Bob! Thanks for everything!'

He called back immediately- I was in team meetings all afternoon for real so I didn't pick up and then he called AGAIN this AM. Both times sounding terse, and not providing any detail on why we was calling, just saying 'call me back Larla'.

Huh? I do think some cognitive decline may be at play, which also excuses some of his defensiveness over substantive work and some of his other inappropriate behaviors/comments, but he's also just damned rude IMO. I am not sure why he thinks he can dictate when we speak. He is the relationship partner so there is no one else for me to call, I just have to deal and get through this period. The business knows there is an issue, and we are watching our bills (I review, but the spend comes out of a different department). It is clear that no one wants a blow up though...

Well, I'm Biglaw Guy I guess, and honestly I'm at a loss. It's not normal behavior for a relationship manager. How old is he, really? You haven't said. And he's not saying in his follow-up calls what exactly he's calling about? Just "call me back?" That's odd too because nothing sounds open ended.

I'd ignore the calls for now, I guess, and maybe consider reaching out to one of the more junior lawyers on his team at his firm and asking them if he's ok and for their thoughts on next steps? I would try to do this in a "concerned" way, not in an "annoyed" way. Plant the seed with the law firm and see what grows, I guess.

No law firm wants an 80 year old guy on a cognitive decline managing a major client. You're doing the firm a favor. Just don't be a dick about it. Remember: you're a team.

Op here. Thanks for chiming in again. It’s a weird situation. I inherited this relationship- he’s been doing these type of deals with my co for years- and unfortunately there is never a junior associate involved. Which is problematic too. There was one for awhile on my watch - a female POC - but he marginalized her and then made rude comments about her behind her back (as I mentioned earlier, there’s misogyny there). Fwiw I debate whether using just one lawyer is all bad (more efficient and lower fees to work with just one senior partner, rather than a partner plus a junior team in training and their billables) but then there’s no bench and you can end up here.

Anyway, no one else to tell, I have to just try to be as graceful as possible but it’s stupidly taking up more time in my brain than it should. He did finally email yesterday and this time he has something slightly substantive to ask about- he is looking for payment by FYE on his November bills. A fair request but we’ve already discussed it with him, I’ve approved his bills, so has the business and, we’ve reached out to accounts payable to expedite (we are usually net 60). He knows all this and could have just emailed with a status update question. His November bills are relatively tiny fwiw

This makes it seem like he needs the money to settle up with his firm before the end of the year. I would not necessarily use just one lawyer or even just one firm. We use several firms and don't rely on one person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:op here checking in after a day or two. curious what deputy GC and big law guy would do.

So I called him back yesterday and left a message, saying essentially 'thanks for checking in with me, but we are good, i'll reach out with updates, and fyi i'm in team meetings all day today, and trying to close several other deals before FYE (true) so things are VERY busy, but happy holidays, Bob! Thanks for everything!'

He called back immediately- I was in team meetings all afternoon for real so I didn't pick up and then he called AGAIN this AM. Both times sounding terse, and not providing any detail on why we was calling, just saying 'call me back Larla'.

Huh? I do think some cognitive decline may be at play, which also excuses some of his defensiveness over substantive work and some of his other inappropriate behaviors/comments, but he's also just damned rude IMO. I am not sure why he thinks he can dictate when we speak. He is the relationship partner so there is no one else for me to call, I just have to deal and get through this period. The business knows there is an issue, and we are watching our bills (I review, but the spend comes out of a different department). It is clear that no one wants a blow up though...

Well, I'm Biglaw Guy I guess, and honestly I'm at a loss. It's not normal behavior for a relationship manager. How old is he, really? You haven't said. And he's not saying in his follow-up calls what exactly he's calling about? Just "call me back?" That's odd too because nothing sounds open ended.

I'd ignore the calls for now, I guess, and maybe consider reaching out to one of the more junior lawyers on his team at his firm and asking them if he's ok and for their thoughts on next steps? I would try to do this in a "concerned" way, not in an "annoyed" way. Plant the seed with the law firm and see what grows, I guess.

No law firm wants an 80 year old guy on a cognitive decline managing a major client. You're doing the firm a favor. Just don't be a dick about it. Remember: you're a team.

Op here. Thanks for chiming in again. It’s a weird situation. I inherited this relationship- he’s been doing these type of deals with my co for years- and unfortunately there is never a junior associate involved. Which is problematic too. There was one for awhile on my watch - a female POC - but he marginalized her and then made rude comments about her behind her back (as I mentioned earlier, there’s misogyny there). Fwiw I debate whether using just one lawyer is all bad (more efficient and lower fees to work with just one senior partner, rather than a partner plus a junior team in training and their billables) but then there’s no bench and you can end up here.

Anyway, no one else to tell, I have to just try to be as graceful as possible but it’s stupidly taking up more time in my brain than it should. He did finally email yesterday and this time he has something slightly substantive to ask about- he is looking for payment by FYE on his November bills. A fair request but we’ve already discussed it with him, I’ve approved his bills, so has the business and, we’ve reached out to accounts payable to expedite (we are usually net 60). He knows all this and could have just emailed with a status update question. His November bills are relatively tiny fwiw

Still don't call. AP can reach out if needed, via email.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:op here checking in after a day or two. curious what deputy GC and big law guy would do.

So I called him back yesterday and left a message, saying essentially 'thanks for checking in with me, but we are good, i'll reach out with updates, and fyi i'm in team meetings all day today, and trying to close several other deals before FYE (true) so things are VERY busy, but happy holidays, Bob! Thanks for everything!'

He called back immediately- I was in team meetings all afternoon for real so I didn't pick up and then he called AGAIN this AM. Both times sounding terse, and not providing any detail on why we was calling, just saying 'call me back Larla'.

Huh? I do think some cognitive decline may be at play, which also excuses some of his defensiveness over substantive work and some of his other inappropriate behaviors/comments, but he's also just damned rude IMO. I am not sure why he thinks he can dictate when we speak. He is the relationship partner so there is no one else for me to call, I just have to deal and get through this period. The business knows there is an issue, and we are watching our bills (I review, but the spend comes out of a different department). It is clear that no one wants a blow up though...

Well, I'm Biglaw Guy I guess, and honestly I'm at a loss. It's not normal behavior for a relationship manager. How old is he, really? You haven't said. And he's not saying in his follow-up calls what exactly he's calling about? Just "call me back?" That's odd too because nothing sounds open ended.

I'd ignore the calls for now, I guess, and maybe consider reaching out to one of the more junior lawyers on his team at his firm and asking them if he's ok and for their thoughts on next steps? I would try to do this in a "concerned" way, not in an "annoyed" way. Plant the seed with the law firm and see what grows, I guess.

No law firm wants an 80 year old guy on a cognitive decline managing a major client. You're doing the firm a favor. Just don't be a dick about it. Remember: you're a team.

Op here. Thanks for chiming in again. It’s a weird situation. I inherited this relationship- he’s been doing these type of deals with my co for years- and unfortunately there is never a junior associate involved. Which is problematic too. There was one for awhile on my watch - a female POC - but he marginalized her and then made rude comments about her behind her back (as I mentioned earlier, there’s misogyny there). Fwiw I debate whether using just one lawyer is all bad (more efficient and lower fees to work with just one senior partner, rather than a partner plus a junior team in training and their billables) but then there’s no bench and you can end up here.

Anyway, no one else to tell, I have to just try to be as graceful as possible but it’s stupidly taking up more time in my brain than it should. He did finally email yesterday and this time he has something slightly substantive to ask about- he is looking for payment by FYE on his November bills. A fair request but we’ve already discussed it with him, I’ve approved his bills, so has the business and, we’ve reached out to accounts payable to expedite (we are usually net 60). He knows all this and could have just emailed with a status update question. His November bills are relatively tiny fwiw

This makes it seem like he needs the money to settle up with his firm before the end of the year. I would not necessarily use just one lawyer or even just one firm. We use several firms and don't rely on one person.

Not sure what you mean. Of course we use various firms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:op here checking in after a day or two. curious what deputy GC and big law guy would do.

So I called him back yesterday and left a message, saying essentially 'thanks for checking in with me, but we are good, i'll reach out with updates, and fyi i'm in team meetings all day today, and trying to close several other deals before FYE (true) so things are VERY busy, but happy holidays, Bob! Thanks for everything!'

He called back immediately- I was in team meetings all afternoon for real so I didn't pick up and then he called AGAIN this AM. Both times sounding terse, and not providing any detail on why we was calling, just saying 'call me back Larla'.

Huh? I do think some cognitive decline may be at play, which also excuses some of his defensiveness over substantive work and some of his other inappropriate behaviors/comments, but he's also just damned rude IMO. I am not sure why he thinks he can dictate when we speak. He is the relationship partner so there is no one else for me to call, I just have to deal and get through this period. The business knows there is an issue, and we are watching our bills (I review, but the spend comes out of a different department). It is clear that no one wants a blow up though...

Well, I'm Biglaw Guy I guess, and honestly I'm at a loss. It's not normal behavior for a relationship manager. How old is he, really? You haven't said. And he's not saying in his follow-up calls what exactly he's calling about? Just "call me back?" That's odd too because nothing sounds open ended.

I'd ignore the calls for now, I guess, and maybe consider reaching out to one of the more junior lawyers on his team at his firm and asking them if he's ok and for their thoughts on next steps? I would try to do this in a "concerned" way, not in an "annoyed" way. Plant the seed with the law firm and see what grows, I guess.

No law firm wants an 80 year old guy on a cognitive decline managing a major client. You're doing the firm a favor. Just don't be a dick about it. Remember: you're a team.

Op here. Thanks for chiming in again. It’s a weird situation. I inherited this relationship- he’s been doing these type of deals with my co for years- and unfortunately there is never a junior associate involved. Which is problematic too. There was one for awhile on my watch - a female POC - but he marginalized her and then made rude comments about her behind her back (as I mentioned earlier, there’s misogyny there). Fwiw I debate whether using just one lawyer is all bad (more efficient and lower fees to work with just one senior partner, rather than a partner plus a junior team in training and their billables) but then there’s no bench and you can end up here.

Anyway, no one else to tell, I have to just try to be as graceful as possible but it’s stupidly taking up more time in my brain than it should. He did finally email yesterday and this time he has something slightly substantive to ask about- he is looking for payment by FYE on his November bills. A fair request but we’ve already discussed it with him, I’ve approved his bills, so has the business and, we’ve reached out to accounts payable to expedite (we are usually net 60). He knows all this and could have just emailed with a status update question. His November bills are relatively tiny fwiw

This makes it seem like he needs the money to settle up with his firm before the end of the year. I would not necessarily use just one lawyer or even just one firm. We use several firms and don't rely on one person.

Not sure what you mean. Of course we use various firms.

^ oh I see, you’re responding to a comment I made above. Yea, we use all sorts of outside counsel overall. This just happens to be one big law partner we use for a specialty area, and our need is winding down. Sometimes I prefer it like this and it works well. You get a super specialist, bill rates are high but they’re efficient and you’re not paying for junior associate training … but this has turned into an odd situation. It’s not the end of the world, but it’s irritated me obviously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:op here checking in after a day or two. curious what deputy GC and big law guy would do.

So I called him back yesterday and left a message, saying essentially 'thanks for checking in with me, but we are good, i'll reach out with updates, and fyi i'm in team meetings all day today, and trying to close several other deals before FYE (true) so things are VERY busy, but happy holidays, Bob! Thanks for everything!'

He called back immediately- I was in team meetings all afternoon for real so I didn't pick up and then he called AGAIN this AM. Both times sounding terse, and not providing any detail on why we was calling, just saying 'call me back Larla'.

Huh? I do think some cognitive decline may be at play, which also excuses some of his defensiveness over substantive work and some of his other inappropriate behaviors/comments, but he's also just damned rude IMO. I am not sure why he thinks he can dictate when we speak. He is the relationship partner so there is no one else for me to call, I just have to deal and get through this period. The business knows there is an issue, and we are watching our bills (I review, but the spend comes out of a different department). It is clear that no one wants a blow up though...

Well, I'm Biglaw Guy I guess, and honestly I'm at a loss. It's not normal behavior for a relationship manager. How old is he, really? You haven't said. And he's not saying in his follow-up calls what exactly he's calling about? Just "call me back?" That's odd too because nothing sounds open ended.

I'd ignore the calls for now, I guess, and maybe consider reaching out to one of the more junior lawyers on his team at his firm and asking them if he's ok and for their thoughts on next steps? I would try to do this in a "concerned" way, not in an "annoyed" way. Plant the seed with the law firm and see what grows, I guess.

No law firm wants an 80 year old guy on a cognitive decline managing a major client. You're doing the firm a favor. Just don't be a dick about it. Remember: you're a team.

Op here. Thanks for chiming in again. It’s a weird situation. I inherited this relationship- he’s been doing these type of deals with my co for years- and unfortunately there is never a junior associate involved. Which is problematic too. There was one for awhile on my watch - a female POC - but he marginalized her and then made rude comments about her behind her back (as I mentioned earlier, there’s misogyny there). Fwiw I debate whether using just one lawyer is all bad (more efficient and lower fees to work with just one senior partner, rather than a partner plus a junior team in training and their billables) but then there’s no bench and you can end up here.

Anyway, no one else to tell, I have to just try to be as graceful as possible but it’s stupidly taking up more time in my brain than it should. He did finally email yesterday and this time he has something slightly substantive to ask about- he is looking for payment by FYE on his November bills. A fair request but we’ve already discussed it with him, I’ve approved his bills, so has the business and, we’ve reached out to accounts payable to expedite (we are usually net 60). He knows all this and could have just emailed with a status update question. His November bills are relatively tiny fwiw

This makes it seem like he needs the money to settle up with his firm before the end of the year. I would not necessarily use just one lawyer or even just one firm. We use several firms and don't rely on one person.

Biglaw Guy again. No it doesn't -- not at all. Big Law lawyers are under tremendous pressure by firm management at virtually all firms to collect on all of their outstanding bills by the end of the fiscal year and regardless of their size so the firm can hit their budget. It's a race to the finish line in every firm. This is not unusual in the slightest. OP, you did the guy a solid by expediting payment and I hope he appreciates it. And now that he knows it's coming he might actually stop bothering you for a while!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:op here checking in after a day or two. curious what deputy GC and big law guy would do.

So I called him back yesterday and left a message, saying essentially 'thanks for checking in with me, but we are good, i'll reach out with updates, and fyi i'm in team meetings all day today, and trying to close several other deals before FYE (true) so things are VERY busy, but happy holidays, Bob! Thanks for everything!'

He called back immediately- I was in team meetings all afternoon for real so I didn't pick up and then he called AGAIN this AM. Both times sounding terse, and not providing any detail on why we was calling, just saying 'call me back Larla'.

Huh? I do think some cognitive decline may be at play, which also excuses some of his defensiveness over substantive work and some of his other inappropriate behaviors/comments, but he's also just damned rude IMO. I am not sure why he thinks he can dictate when we speak. He is the relationship partner so there is no one else for me to call, I just have to deal and get through this period. The business knows there is an issue, and we are watching our bills (I review, but the spend comes out of a different department). It is clear that no one wants a blow up though...

Well, I'm Biglaw Guy I guess, and honestly I'm at a loss. It's not normal behavior for a relationship manager. How old is he, really? You haven't said. And he's not saying in his follow-up calls what exactly he's calling about? Just "call me back?" That's odd too because nothing sounds open ended.

I'd ignore the calls for now, I guess, and maybe consider reaching out to one of the more junior lawyers on his team at his firm and asking them if he's ok and for their thoughts on next steps? I would try to do this in a "concerned" way, not in an "annoyed" way. Plant the seed with the law firm and see what grows, I guess.

No law firm wants an 80 year old guy on a cognitive decline managing a major client. You're doing the firm a favor. Just don't be a dick about it. Remember: you're a team.

Op here. Thanks for chiming in again. It’s a weird situation. I inherited this relationship- he’s been doing these type of deals with my co for years- and unfortunately there is never a junior associate involved. Which is problematic too. There was one for awhile on my watch - a female POC - but he marginalized her and then made rude comments about her behind her back (as I mentioned earlier, there’s misogyny there). Fwiw I debate whether using just one lawyer is all bad (more efficient and lower fees to work with just one senior partner, rather than a partner plus a junior team in training and their billables) but then there’s no bench and you can end up here.

Anyway, no one else to tell, I have to just try to be as graceful as possible but it’s stupidly taking up more time in my brain than it should. He did finally email yesterday and this time he has something slightly substantive to ask about- he is looking for payment by FYE on his November bills. A fair request but we’ve already discussed it with him, I’ve approved his bills, so has the business and, we’ve reached out to accounts payable to expedite (we are usually net 60). He knows all this and could have just emailed with a status update question. His November bills are relatively tiny fwiw

Still don't call. AP can reach out if needed, via email.

Yeah, agreed. He reached out to the business person again which I don’t love. Don’t want him bothering business people either. But there’s really nothing we can do. And I don’t see the big deal. This is where I worry about cognitive issues, although lawyers are notoriously clueless about accounting. Firm can accrue the revenue, and have an a/r. It’s a small amount so it shouldn’t affect his comp or bonus structure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:op here checking in after a day or two. curious what deputy GC and big law guy would do.

So I called him back yesterday and left a message, saying essentially 'thanks for checking in with me, but we are good, i'll reach out with updates, and fyi i'm in team meetings all day today, and trying to close several other deals before FYE (true) so things are VERY busy, but happy holidays, Bob! Thanks for everything!'

He called back immediately- I was in team meetings all afternoon for real so I didn't pick up and then he called AGAIN this AM. Both times sounding terse, and not providing any detail on why we was calling, just saying 'call me back Larla'.

Huh? I do think some cognitive decline may be at play, which also excuses some of his defensiveness over substantive work and some of his other inappropriate behaviors/comments, but he's also just damned rude IMO. I am not sure why he thinks he can dictate when we speak. He is the relationship partner so there is no one else for me to call, I just have to deal and get through this period. The business knows there is an issue, and we are watching our bills (I review, but the spend comes out of a different department). It is clear that no one wants a blow up though...

Well, I'm Biglaw Guy I guess, and honestly I'm at a loss. It's not normal behavior for a relationship manager. How old is he, really? You haven't said. And he's not saying in his follow-up calls what exactly he's calling about? Just "call me back?" That's odd too because nothing sounds open ended.

I'd ignore the calls for now, I guess, and maybe consider reaching out to one of the more junior lawyers on his team at his firm and asking them if he's ok and for their thoughts on next steps? I would try to do this in a "concerned" way, not in an "annoyed" way. Plant the seed with the law firm and see what grows, I guess.

No law firm wants an 80 year old guy on a cognitive decline managing a major client. You're doing the firm a favor. Just don't be a dick about it. Remember: you're a team.

Op here. Thanks for chiming in again. It’s a weird situation. I inherited this relationship- he’s been doing these type of deals with my co for years- and unfortunately there is never a junior associate involved. Which is problematic too. There was one for awhile on my watch - a female POC - but he marginalized her and then made rude comments about her behind her back (as I mentioned earlier, there’s misogyny there). Fwiw I debate whether using just one lawyer is all bad (more efficient and lower fees to work with just one senior partner, rather than a partner plus a junior team in training and their billables) but then there’s no bench and you can end up here.

Anyway, no one else to tell, I have to just try to be as graceful as possible but it’s stupidly taking up more time in my brain than it should. He did finally email yesterday and this time he has something slightly substantive to ask about- he is looking for payment by FYE on his November bills. A fair request but we’ve already discussed it with him, I’ve approved his bills, so has the business and, we’ve reached out to accounts payable to expedite (we are usually net 60). He knows all this and could have just emailed with a status update question. His November bills are relatively tiny fwiw

This makes it seem like he needs the money to settle up with his firm before the end of the year. I would not necessarily use just one lawyer or even just one firm. We use several firms and don't rely on one person.

Biglaw Guy again. No it doesn't -- not at all. Big Law lawyers are under tremendous pressure by firm management at virtually all firms to collect on all of their outstanding bills by the end of the fiscal year and regardless of their size so the firm can hit their budget. It's a race to the finish line in every firm. This is not unusual in the slightest. OP, you did the guy a solid by expediting payment and I hope he appreciates it. And now that he knows it's coming he might actually stop bothering you for a while!

I'm in-house and I wouldn't want to be getting calls about this from outside counsel. Email is so much more efficient and then I can forward it to our business/accounting side if there is any issue. It can be resolved so much faster than over the phone.