80% schedule at law firm but want to go to 60%

[Anonymous]

I am an associate at a boutique firm and I came on at 80% hours and pay. It is quite flexible and I like it but often I end up working on my day off or on the weekend. I also travel as necessary and present at conferences. DH took on a more demanding job this year and I'm beginning to feel burned out. I've recently been struggling to meet my billable hours requirement. I'll meet it, but just. I'd like to request a 60% schedule for 2018, but I know the reduction in salary will not make up for the reduction in the amount I'd bill.

For various reasons, I do think they would like to keep me on and won't just tell me to take a hike, but I don't want to mess up a good situation. I'm also wondering whether I should look to become of counsel (I have a few clients but the bulk of my work is from partners.) Of counsel would also be billed to clients at a higher rate.

I'm interested in hearing about others' experiences and ideas for how to frame the request so that it is beneficial for the firm. Thanks in advance for any insight or ideas-- especially regarding the of counsel idea; I don't know anyone personally who is of counsel.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do this. How does this affect advancement and promotion potential? It seems to me that this would kill your hopes of becoming counsel.

[Anonymous]

It depends on how your firm does it, but of counsel can be an awesome gig. A lot of them basically end up being like an hourly employee - you generally get 33%-40% of what you bill and collect with no hours pressure.

[Anonymous]

If you are in a boutique is there an option of going in-house with the industry in which you have expertise? You will likely have a much better quality of life overall than you will in a law firm, with the potential of similar comp to being part-time in a firm.

[Anonymous]

I'll work 100% schedule for 80% pay. This is DC and well-credentialed lawyers are a dime a dozen. You may want to think twice because I could see this severely limiting your upward mobility, at least at your current firm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll work 100% schedule for 80% pay. This is DC and well-credentialed lawyers are a dime a dozen. You may want to think twice because I could see this severely limiting your upward mobility, at least at your current firm.

True, but it depends on specialty. I know of a few lawyers who specialize in arcane tax structuring, ERISA and other areas who basically can write their own ticket anywhere. This is because many general practice firm do not want a single billable hour to walk out the door, as allowing this would creating an opening for another firm to steal the client. Additionally, having such a specialist on staff is a way to train a homegrown associate or two in those areas.

Naturally, if you're a former U.S. Supreme Court clerk, you can write your own ticket too....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are in a boutique is there an option of going in-house with the industry in which you have expertise? You will likely have a much better quality of life overall than you will in a law firm, with the potential of similar comp to being part-time in a firm.

I think this is generally true, but I'd be careful of the hours that might be expected of you.

If you have a good relationship with the partners, and you don't care about advancement, etc, I would simply ask if they would ever consider the reduced schedule. It sounds like you have proven yourself and people like you. If they have too much work and not enough other people to pass it off to, then that might be your stumbling block.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I am specialized and while of course not irreplaceable, have an established relationship with the partners and clients. Also, the firm recently hired two new associates so I've seen the types of applicants we've been getting--lots of brand-new graduates. It takes time to hire and get people up to speed.

I was thinking of asking to be of counsel at the same time as asking to go 60%, so the reduction in salary and increase in billable rate would offset the reduction in hours.
Anyone have experience as of counsel? Everything I've read indicates the arrangements are very firm-specific, so I'm interested in hearing about the experiences of others.

As to the suggestion of going in-house, yes, I likely could, but I'd have to move. And unfortunately, I'm not a former Supreme Court clerk!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am specialized and while of course not irreplaceable, have an established relationship with the partners and clients. Also, the firm recently hired two new associates so I've seen the types of applicants we've been getting--lots of brand-new graduates. It takes time to hire and get people up to speed.

I was thinking of asking to be of counsel at the same time as asking to go 60%, so the reduction in salary and increase in billable rate would offset the reduction in hours.
Anyone have experience as of counsel? Everything I've read indicates the arrangements are very firm-specific, so I'm interested in hearing about the experiences of others.

As to the suggestion of going in-house, yes, I likely could, but I'd have to move. And unfortunately, I'm not a former Supreme Court clerk!

There are actually a fair number of in-house jobs in the DC area, but everything depends on your specialty, experience, etc... Before you talk with the partners, have a backup plan if the conversation goes south. Also, make sure that you have a powerful partner (or 2-3 if possible) in your corner. As they say, rainmakers get what they want - and it helps tremendously if they want you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am specialized and while of course not irreplaceable, have an established relationship with the partners and clients. Also, the firm recently hired two new associates so I've seen the types of applicants we've been getting--lots of brand-new graduates. It takes time to hire and get people up to speed.

I was thinking of asking to be of counsel at the same time as asking to go 60%, so the reduction in salary and increase in billable rate would offset the reduction in hours.
Anyone have experience as of counsel? Everything I've read indicates the arrangements are very firm-specific, so I'm interested in hearing about the experiences of others.

As to the suggestion of going in-house, yes, I likely could, but I'd have to move. And unfortunately, I'm not a former Supreme Court clerk!

So you're simultaneously asking for a promotion and a reduced schedule? I would try to land the counsel position first then ask for the reduced schedule later.