Decoding "Not Enough Work"

 Associates in large law firms billed on average 1,550 hours in 2023. That's 8% less than they billed in 2021. Yet, their annual salaries are record. A first year right out of law school starts at $225K and a 4th year pulls down $310k.

NOT ENOUGH WORK, HIGH PAY = TARGET ON YOUR BACK

That is not a good position for an associate to be in, argues Kate Reder Sheikh in Bloomberg Law. She is a partner at Major Lindsey & Africa, a legal executive search firm. Her point is obvious, at least to any employee in any sector who had received high compensation when the workload was declining. 

Come on, you are not stupid. There tends to be a target on your back, even in the best of economic times. You could be "forced out." You could be demoted. At the very least you are not operating from a position of strength. And, usually that shows. Self-confidence takes a hit.

If you are smart - and most associates are that - you pull out all stops hunting internally for work assignments. That's actually what current associates in Big Law are doing. Sure, the world of Big Law is highly political. However, if you produce as a work product enough hours to meet a quota you do have a shot at keeping the job. 

EXTREME STRESS

Professional anonymous networks such as Fishbowl Big Law and Reddit Big Law chronicle the current situation of not-enough-work-to-go-around. The advice - keep letting partners know you welcome doing assignments for them - has become a meaningless platitude. The reality is that in some law firms or in some groups within those law firms there is not enough work to go around, at least not currently. And that's that.

Overall, the situation triggers not a feeling of how-lucky-I-am to receive so much money and have so little work. No, it's extreme stress. At any time, for low hours, you could be put on PIP (Proposal to Improve Performance), laid off or terminated for performance reasons. 

TMJ, BECOMING UNHINGED

Twice I experienced being without much work, although paid well.

The first time was in a full-time middle-management position at a major food corporation. I was so stressed out that I had developed TMJ. When the layoff came, it was a relief.

The next time was on retainer for communications at law firm Paul, Weiss. To simulate a work product, I frantically posted material on one of my blogs about developments at the firm. 

I "reported" to CMO Luke Ferrandino. There were no substantive assignments made. No contract specifying my responsibilities. No metrics were provided about how my performance would be measured. And no NDA indicating what I could say and do and not say or do.

I was unhinged. Members of the church I had attended - Metamorphosis - were praying for me. Rev. Al gave me some wise counsel. Sizing up that the stress wasn't worth the money, I pulled the plug after two months. But unlike many associates, I could do that because I had no debt. The price I probably did pay was damaging my relationship with chair Brad Karp, who was not in the direct loop on that one. 

NOT ENJOYING THE RIDE

Rare is it that any professional can adopt the flip attitude of just taking the money and enjoying the ride. This is capitalism. In addition, the system has gotten lots harsher during this era of extreme cost-efficiency. We know that we are being held accountable for productivity. And if we are not being productive, how we suffer. (Or, are made to suffer.)

DANGER ZONE

As an intuitive coach I tutor clients that the actual work is simply the price of entry. It takes a lot more than that to hold the job as well as move on up. However, when the work assignments aren’t there or dry up, for whatever reason, they should assess that development as danger. 

In most cases you have only one shot in communications. Jane Genova is a communications coach and content-creator. Complimentary consultation (please text 203-468-8579 or email janegenova374@gmail.com)