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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP, I'm sorry that you didn't fully understand the position before you took it.  I spent 6 years at a firm, the last with a child.  I actually enjoyed it, but not at all once I had a child.  I am now happily in government.

1.  Keep applying to USA Jobs.  Even though I was happy most of the time, there were many 2am nights over the years in which I sent out resumes.  It took about 100 before I actually focused, expanded my search greatly, was serious about it and got my current job, which I never would have considered years earlier.  6 months is nothing.

2.  Keep your eyes open for any possibility.  This will not be your long-term job, so try to learn as much as you can about other options while you are there.

3.  Keep non-billables to a minimum, but then again, you can't avoid them completely.  Just don't go volunteering for extra.  No pro bono unless asked directly - you will have time in your future to volunteer, this isn't it.

4.  If you aren't getting enough work, figure out why.

5.  If you are turning down any work, stop.  That is not permitted.  You must do all work asked of you.  Your schedule is irrelevant.  If you need to go home for an hour to put your kids to bed, do it, but then get back on your computer and pull an all nighter if necessary (and I can't believe that it isn't necessary ever).

6.  Be responsive at all times.

7.  Understand that you are expected to work 7 days a week.  Mirror the hours of those around you.  For me, that meant that I worked 9:30-8 three n ights a week.  2 nights a week until at least 11, often more like 3am.  And, anywhere from 10-24 hours on the weekend.  Never a day off.  I did a lot of non-billables during the day though.  I know someone who worked from 6am to 5pm consistently, and it worked for her.  She did go in every day at 6, and she also did some work at home occasionally after.  That wouldn't have worked in my group, but she lasted a while and landed well, so it was good for her.

8.  Reevaluate your child care.  Stagger schedules.  Get an au pair and a nanny.  You make a lot of money, but child care is expensive, especially in the quantity that you need it.  Don't kid yourself into thinking that you will be saving much now.

9.  Understand part time isn't made for you.  You can ask.  They might say yes.  But you are asking to be fired.  And, you will be.  Part time is for people like me - I was a consistent 2300+ hour biller for years with a very strong backing from powerful partners.  I went part time, although still billing about 1800 and working a much more flexible schedule than you seem willing to do.  But they knew they could count on me to never let anything drop, it would look bad if they didn't, and there was a chance that I would jump back in with even more force.  You don't have any of that.

10.  Staying at least two years will give you much more flexibility in the future.   This too will pass.  Hang on for the ride.  And, whatever you do, don't get golden handcuffs!!!  (ex.  do not let your spouse downgrade positions right now)

[quote=Anonymous]

Jesus, what firm did you work at?  And what law school did you go to?  I'm so sorry you suffered so, but I wouldn't assume that everyone else must do the same.

OP, you need to talk to people at your firm.  There are firms where part-time is truly acceptable, and the happiest (and most successful) attorneys I know DO in fact say no to work because they know how to set boundaries.  Pro-bono hours often count partially towards billables and are encouraged for junior associates when they help you build appropriate skills (sorry if you mentioned this OP I didn't scroll back to check).  Take all the information you read here and go get coffee with a senior associate AT YOUR FIRM.

[/quote]

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