Dec. 2023 Billable Hour Check-In

December 2023.

My last month as an associate; my last month to watch my (trigger warning) #billablehour requirement in the way associates do.**

In the last half of this year, I've allowed myself to rely on my billable-equivalent hours to hit my base target (1900).

I've racked up hours for recruiting, mentoring and being mentored, participating in DEI initiatives, pro bono work, being on the executive wellness committee, and working on the firm's associate leadership committee (NextGen).

This means I'm on track to hit 1900 by 12/20 (the day I leave for vacation until the New Year) and despite being OOO the entire week of 12/11 for new partner orientation and my parents coming to town.

All in, I have just 9.5 working days left in this year.

To hit 1900, I need to bill a remaining 53.6 hours--so about 6 hours on full working days and about 3 hours on half days.

In reality, there's so much going on these last days of the year that I'll likely exceed my goal.

But, it is helpful for me to know where I stand and how much I do (or do not) need to turn it on to hit 1900 by my last working day of 2023.

It feels good--yes, it is possible to feel okay, even good about the billable hour.

**I will still have a billable-hour target as a partner, so you'll likely still see this content come 2024.

#emilylitigates #mindfullyemily #professionalwomen #biglaw