Biglaw, Money

Bingham To Raise Its Billable Hour Requirement?

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Not exactly.
We’ve been receiving a multitude of tips indicating that that was exactly what Bingham intended to do. So we did some asking around, and here is Bingham’s official comment on the situation:

Our hours policy reflects a balance between understanding that billable work is critical to Bingham’s success and that non-billable contributions to pro bono, professional development and firm citizenship are valued and encouraged.

We will be raising the core-hours expectation (which is not a requirement) of our hours policy for next year from 2,000 to 2,100. Core-hours are not solely billable hours. They include non-billable pro bono and creditable hours. The new target includes billable hours, pro bono hours, and up to 50 creditable hours for non-billable firm citizenship responsibilities, such as committee work, etc.

The new core-hours expectation supports Bingham’s continued success while encouraging associates to continue contributing to pro bono and participating in professional development/firm citizenship opportunities. We will be working closely with the firm’s Committee on Associates (which includes elected associate representatives) to flesh out the details of the new core hours policy.

It’s unclear from this whether they already had a “core-hours expectation” in place, or whether previously the 2000 hours was a billable minimum. Either way you slice it, however, there will at least be an “expectation” of more work out of Bingham associates next year, even if some of it is pro bono work (if the previous policy was 2000 “core hours”, then it also included pro bono work, but more will be expected now; if the previous policy was 2000 required billable hours, then 100 more hours are now expected, even if some can now be pro bono work).
So really, despite the nice spin put on it, the answer to the lede question is yes.
Is this going to be a trend at other firms too? Is this the tradeoff that’s going to be required of associates for the salary increases? Let us know if you’ve heard about this sort of thing anywhere else.
Update: Additional explanation, from Bingham partner Tony Carbone, after the jump.


BINGHAM MCCUTCHEN LLP — MEMORANDUM RE: CORE HOURS EXPECTATION
From: Anthony J. Carbone
Date: Oct 8, 2007 12:50 PM
Subject:
Core Hours Policy
First and foremost, we want our associates and counsel to know that we value the hard work and contributions that each of you make to our firm and our clients. There have been rumors in our offices and in the media that the firm’s billable hours requirement is being increased to 2100 hours. It was our intention to provide comprehensive information once the policy was finalized. However, since there has been misinformation disseminated and concern expressed over these rumors, I want to clarify a few points for everyone.
An increase in the firm’s Core Hours expectation was discussed at last week’s Partner Retreat and similar information was subsequently disseminated to our Committee on Associates representatives. The firm will be raising our Core Hours expectation for associates and counsel from 2,000 to 2,100 Core Hours with the commencement of the 2008 billable year. Consistent with our current policy, the new target will continue to include billable hours, pro bono hours, and up to 50 creditable hours for non-billable firm citizenship responsibilities. In addition, it is important to point out that this new hours expectation is, like our current Core Hours target, an expectation, not a requirement. The Practice Area Leaders and the Committee on Associates will be working together to incorporate the new hours expectation into the policy. In the interim, if you have any questions or input, please do not hesitate to contact me, Dan Jackson or any member of the COA leadership and AD team.
Thanks,
Tony

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