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

[Anonymous]

Call him back at like 10pm each time. Less likely to reach him, and if you do he's likely to not want to talk then. Good chance of being able to leave a voicemail that you're returning his call to say there's no update yet, will let him know when there is.

[Anonymous]

Schedule a bi monthly 30 minute check in and when he wants to talk tell him to hold for that meeting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As you say, you are the client. He serves you and he should fear you.

By letting him run up the bill, you are wasting your company's money and you are also wasting your own time.

He shouldn’t “fear” her FFS. That doesn’t a productive relationship make.

What she needs to do, besides insulting him as a “boomer“, is see if he is in fact, billing her for these calls. And if he is, she needs to simply grow a pair and tell him that he needs to limit the calls because they’re running the bill up. Every client does this all the time. It’s nothing. If she can’t handle this, she’s in the wrong job.

This. There is nothing to fear if he is deep into a matter and it isn't productive. Hard to tell if he's running up bills - which is what it sounds like. I'd definitely be cutting the bills if it's appropriate. I'd also be putting boundaries on the conversation so that you are only being billed for work related content. But, if you are letting him be a talker, this is on you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As you say, you are the client. He serves you and he should fear you.

By letting him run up the bill, you are wasting your company's money and you are also wasting your own time.

He shouldn’t “fear” her FFS. That doesn’t a productive relationship make.

What she needs to do, besides insulting him as a “boomer“, is see if he is in fact, billing her for these calls. And if he is, she needs to simply grow a pair and tell him that he needs to limit the calls because they’re running the bill up. Every client does this all the time. It’s nothing. If she can’t handle this, she’s in the wrong job.

OP here. OF COURSE he is charging for these calls. And I have said to him over and over 'we are watching our outside counsel spend, I'll call you when we need something, right now we are at a standstill on X project..."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Schedule a bi monthly 30 minute check in and when he wants to talk tell him to hold for that meeting.

no way, that's just wasting $

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Running up bill. Don't let him.
Don't call back. Email. Let him know he isn't needed to work on those extraneous things at this time.

You are the client and he is trying to get his hours quota. Don’t take the bait!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't answer. Immediately email back that you have no updates.

I agree, but I’d also say in the email that each time we speak it becomes a long (and thereby) expensive call and you are not interested in incurring such expense when it is unnecessary.

He may or may not change behavior, but it helps put him on notice.

cc his boss the second time it happens.

? not how this works....

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yea I’ve seen this before from you and think you’re the a$$hole. Calling him a boomer like that actually has anything to do with anything is no different than me referring to you as some young chick. It’s pejorative and unnecessary. He’s just clueless regardless of his age or gender. Most outside counsel know better than to act like him. So my advice is to stop being such a judgmental twit yourself. Start with that. Then ask your boss how to proceed.

ask my boss? now who is being the judgmental twit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yea I’ve seen this before from you and think you’re the a$$hole. Calling him a boomer like that actually has anything to do with anything is no different than me referring to you as some young chick. It’s pejorative and unnecessary. He’s just clueless regardless of his age or gender. Most outside counsel know better than to act like him. So my advice is to stop being such a judgmental twit yourself. Start with that. Then ask your boss how to proceed.

No one can compete with you in the judgmental twit sweepstakes, OP.

ask my boss? now who is being the judgmental twit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't answer. Immediately email back that you have no updates.

I agree, but I’d also say in the email that each time we speak it becomes a long (and thereby) expensive call and you are not interested in incurring such expense when it is unnecessary.

He may or may not change behavior, but it helps put him on notice.

cc his boss the second time it happens.

You’re an idiot. If she does that and the boss reads the email he’ll just bill for it too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As you say, you are the client. He serves you and he should fear you.

By letting him run up the bill, you are wasting your company's money and you are also wasting your own time.

He shouldn’t “fear” her FFS. That doesn’t a productive relationship make.

What she needs to do, besides insulting him as a “boomer“, is see if he is in fact, billing her for these calls. And if he is, she needs to simply grow a pair and tell him that he needs to limit the calls because they’re running the bill up. Every client does this all the time. It’s nothing. If she can’t handle this, she’s in the wrong job.

OP here. OF COURSE he is charging for these calls. And I have said to him over and over 'we are watching our outside counsel spend, I'll call you when we need something, right now we are at a standstill on X project..."

Then just tell him you’re happy to take the calls but he can’t bill for them. How long have you been managing outside counsel? You sound like you’re 12.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Eh, boomer is also about not liking technology

Boomers invented the technology.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As you say, you are the client. He serves you and he should fear you.

By letting him run up the bill, you are wasting your company's money and you are also wasting your own time.

He shouldn’t “fear” her FFS. That doesn’t a productive relationship make.

What she needs to do, besides insulting him as a “boomer“, is see if he is in fact, billing her for these calls. And if he is, she needs to simply grow a pair and tell him that he needs to limit the calls because they’re running the bill up. Every client does this all the time. It’s nothing. If she can’t handle this, she’s in the wrong job.

OP here. OF COURSE he is charging for these calls. And I have said to him over and over 'we are watching our outside counsel spend, I'll call you when we need something, right now we are at a standstill on X project..."

Then just tell him you’re happy to take the calls but he can’t bill for them. How long have you been managing outside counsel? You sound like you’re 12.

are you the one suggesting copying 'his boss'? hmmm.... lolz

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yea I’ve seen this before from you and think you’re the a$$hole. Calling him a boomer like that actually has anything to do with anything is no different than me referring to you as some young chick. It’s pejorative and unnecessary. He’s just clueless regardless of his age or gender. Most outside counsel know better than to act like him. So my advice is to stop being such a judgmental twit yourself. Start with that. Then ask your boss how to proceed.

ask my boss? now who is being the judgmental twit?

You said you had a “business lead.” Thats who I was referring to.

This is all on you. You’re a bad manager.