First!

First!

Glad to see you, Kash. The natives have been restless.

Is it true that Tom DeLay was recently found felching with a dwarf behind a New Jersey Red Robin?

Over half of respondents so far are saying they are going to bill less than 2000. I wonder if any of them will be employed a year from now. Good luck to all.

Man these results are scary. Luckily i'm using Chrometa to make sure every second counts when I do my time (and it opens my eyes to how much I really procrastinate).

What 401k programs do your firms use? Are they a good deal (ie reasonable fees). Any thoughts would be appreciated please.

Is there a way to see results without voting? If not, this is going to get messed up by curious law students and other non-billing people who just vote randomly to see results.

Holding steady at 0.

Is there a way to set up surveys so you can click "see results" without voting (i.e. if you aren't in the target group and don't want to just lie)?

Unless you wanna work forty hours a week...

My hours are 9 to 5 except when I leave early.

Kash,

Last week, someone posted a link to a site that featured a picture you attending some function (can't remember which). I just have to say you have the body and face of a broken down 55 year old cancer survivor that's gone through extensive radiation therapy. The guys that troll this site are most likely out-of-shape law students or associates who have no hope of banging a truly attractive woman. I say this not be mean, but merely to provide balance to what seemed like to me to be an unbalanced, biased discussion regarding your looks. So, in a word, I will simply say: Kash, you. look. awful.

6, instead of giving nice wishes, why don't you slide over some of that work you are hoarding? We know what's going on.

Has it dawned on anyone that people billing solid hours aren't taking the time to take ATL surveys?

This survey will be less reliable than my balls.

Law goggles?

14--You're a vile person. Plus, you added 5 years to her age in just two threads. Go away. Kash is Kute, and probably not attracted to abusers like you. The number 14 is dead to me now.

16 - good point.

Fuck 14. Another vote for Kash! Glad to see her back--I was afraid MysTTTal had sat on her or something.

18, do you like older women? I'm older than Kash but way "kuter," if I do say so myself. What do you look like? If I'm going cougar, you have to be worth it.

Retired partner here: My hours for 2009 are about the same as they've been since 1998, which is to say zero billable hours. I do a little flat rate consulting for some former clients from time to time, but not enough to qualify as real work. When I was a hotshot partner, I always billed around 2200 per year. By the by, I heard today from a friend that her newly graduated from law school son had gotten a job with a mid-size firm, doing med mal work. The kid went to a solid third tier law school, but he's starting off at $90K and will get to try cases by himself by the end of the first year.

14 thats rude. I'd bag her, happily.

-38 year old good looking married guy.

First sign of the apocalypse -- when starting out in med mal is considered a positive.

12 is great

Why do people always compliment that icon in 12?

And, why do people wonder if certain schools are accredited?

16, why are your balls so unreliable?

26 - Why did guys in my high school used to do all kinds off wild stuff which was no big deal?

I'm in-house and don't have to bill hours, but I had to click on one of the options just to view the poll. There should be an option for people who don't have to bill.

I doubt that any of the people that still find Kash hot actually saw the picture of her that was posted. I mean, seriously... She's not ugly, but she's far from hot or even cute. It would be horrible to bang Kash and be forced to stare at her haggard, pasty face, while feeling her bony, little boy-like frame against my body. Ugh, thinking about it makes me want to hurl.

And @38... Yeah, I'm sure you do think you're good looking; but the fact that you find Kash attractive just shows you have no taste. Now keep surfing the internet while you wait for your employed, chubby wife to bring home the bacon (I mean that literally, as it is likely that you and your wife are two happily married fat fucks)

Please see this picture. If you think Kash is anything close to "hot", you are a fucking loser. Seriously.

http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/graff-15.jpg

Billable what?

DOJ SECURE

14. I guess that plastic surgery didn't work out too well for you. Don't hate, diet.
--Elie

5 scores for the all to rare use of the word Felch. I knew a guy in high school (and I'm not frat boy) whose last name was Felcher. Poor kid.

Look it up if you must.

On track for 2800. Easily the most brutal and demanding year in my 5 year career. It will be that much worse when bonuses suck even worse than last year. This is what happens when there are no lateral openings.

-IP Lit 5th Yr

31--You must masturbate frequently. I'd absolutel bang her. Is she Miss Venezuela? Of course not. But she's certainly cute and eminently boffable.

- 38 year old good looking married guy

31,
"Hot" - no.
"Damn cute" - boo ya!

LOL @ the Elie troll. Elie telling someone to diet is like Kash giving someone advise on how to look hot.

First year associate on track for 2600. I sure am glad I took as many bankruptcy courses as possible in law school...

btw, she's the one on the (viewer's) far right, correct? If so, then my 36 comment stands, butt pirates.

Okay, I'm still confused about why people ask if law schools are accredited, but I did want to contribute the link that "30" refers to. http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=8884
Maybe "30" thinks we're talking about the host, Juleanna Glover, rather than Kash. Juleanna, while loaded, is not, in my view, Kute. Kash, while probably not loaded, is Kute.

@37 -- Dude, please get out more. Your low standards tells me that you are a blubbery fat fuck or a goofy-looking, socially inept A-Hole that probably joined a frat in college because there was safety in numbers and you didn't have the balls to approach a truly hot girl with your bros behind you. Point being, you have no charm or good looks.

Come on, people -- while the Kash Lover is seriously annoying, different strokes, you know. But the poster who is cruelly bashing Kash needs to get a grip. Kash is just an average girl -- there's no need to rip on her just because she has a weirdo fan boy.

Only 20.7% claim to be on track to bill less than 1600 - I think that is BS - no way 80% of biglaw lawyers are on track for over 1600. I have friends at big firms that would be happy to take 1600!

Wow, some guy that started a lame weasel avatar on a legal blog full of law students and junior associates thinks that Kash is Kute... Kash, you're going places sister.

Only 20.7% claim to be on track to bill less than 1600 - I think that is BS - no way 80% of biglaw lawyers are on track for over 1600. I have friends at big firms that would be happy to take 1600!

I'd do her.

42,

Your lame comments remind me of the story of the old bull and young bull standing on a hill looking down on a field full of heifers. The young bull excitedly exclaims, "Let's run down there and f**k us a heifer." To which the old bull replies, "No son, let's walk down there and f**k 'em all."

High standards are overrated.

37

And anyway, she is damn cute!

37

To the person with biglaw friends hoping for 1600--

Well, I am on track to bill around 2235, which I noted in the poll.

I am not, however, big law. I am at a 20 lawyer firm.

Test

"Now keep surfing the internet while you wait for your employed, chubby wife to bring home the bacon (I mean that literally, as it is likely that you and your wife are two happily married fat fucks)"

Jesus. My wife is a 102 lb, C-cupped hot asian chick who, although early 30s looks like early 20s. You are a bitter bitter pussy-less freak who clearly cannot relate to women other than anonymously attacking their looks. We both know that in real life, you probably wouldn't have the balls to say two words to a woman for fear of rejection, something with which you've no doubt grown accustomed. I doubt Kash would fuck you if you skinned George Clooney and wore him as a skin suit.

-- 38 year old good looking married guy. btw, attacking my wife proves you are a pitiful little nothing of a human, worth lees than my dingleberries, punk. In my younger days I'd rip your fucking little head off for that.

48/37 = lame frat dude that's too pussy to approach a hot chick on his own, gets drunk out of his mind and tells that old ass joke to his bros.

BTW, please explain for me how that's a response to anything 42 said.

Oh, and 43, I'll stop bashing Kash when she stops making racist comments about Polish people.

14 was definitely written by a jealous woman. It's sadly probably one of Kash's friends who is jealous of her newfound ATL fame. Sigh...I wish we women were not like that :(

22 - you're a troll. there's no way that job pays $90k. i'm laid-off and have been looking, and firms like the one you're describing pay in the $30's.

oh, and Kash is damn cute.

55 = hideous troll (literally) that lives under a bridge and thinks that anything of the female sex is hot.

53-- you the same asshole who insulted my wife without provocation/ Man up dickless. You've got a big fucking mouth brother and you should watch who the fuck you piss off.

-- 38 year old good looking married guy

I agree with you, 54. Guys can be total a-holes, but guys aren't THAT nasty when it comes to criticizing a woman's looks. Definitely a jealous woman who hates to see any woman getting male attention.

Geez. I kind of liked the view of the 38yr-old-guy, but more and more he's making me think of John Fitzgerald Page. Did anyone hear of Page getting married to a 102lb c-cup?

57 is NOT good-looking.

I like sleeping with women where I know that I am out of their league for 2 reasons. First, I have bad self-esteem probably caused by a lifetime of emotional abuse and self-loathing and thats how I feel better about myself. Second, the women are really appreciative, compliment you non stop and love the fact that you're giving them the time of day. Thats how I roll. Not sure if I would or wouldn't sleep with Kash... its close....

The thing about 14 is that it wasn't in response to anything on this thread. It was purposefully placed there. Just plain mean. Hard to think it was a woman, cuz they're not supposed to be that mean.

Kash, put this argument to rest once and for all. Please post pics of yourself, preferably in a bikini and/or knee high socks.

Regards,

Your readers

52 - "skinned George Clooney and wore him as a skin suit" ding-ding-ding we have a winner folks LOL

EW,

I have no idea who John Fitzgerald Page is. I love my wife and I think you all may be right. Must be some skanky ugly bitch commenting. Either way, I'd smack the shit out of him or her for that comment about my wife. Little cunt.

-- 38 year old ugly married guy

LOL @61. Seriously.

Why are you physically threatening someone on a chat board? How do you intend to find them?

53,
Don't attack the messenger just 'cause you don't like the message. Man up, and deal with the Truth: Kash is damn cute!
48/37 - non-frat boy who rarely drinks and never had a problem with the ladies (both cute and hot)

Don't have an answer to your question, 59, but if the wife of the 38 y.o. good looking married guy is a skinny Asian girl with C cups, they're breast implants. I've never met a skinny Asian who wasn't totally flat chested, not that there's anything wrong with that.

I'm not physically threatening anyone. I'm saying what I WOULD do had someone said that to my face. See the distinction? Perhaps folks should use their filter before commenting about people's wives and bloggers' looks.

-- 38 year old married guy

And who refers to his WIFE as a "102 lb, C-cupped hot asian chick ," anyway? I think this dude has an imaginary wife.

They're real and they're magnificent.

-- 38 year old married guy. P.S. You should meet more asian chicks.

the tide be turning . . .

"Imaginary wife" - not sure what would be the purpose

I've thus concluded that they are, in fact, real and, most likely, magnificent.

Dear 38-year old guy,

I have a few questions for you. I am looking to you for guidance, as I am 27 and unmarried. You seem wise and mature and this may be the only opportunity for me to pick your brain.

1. If/when I marry, would it be wise to comment on the physical attributes of my wife in a post on a legal blog dedicated to billable hours?

2. When I am 38, will I still be engaging in arguments with topics similar to "my wife is hotter than yours" or "my penis is bigger than yours" with people I have never met?

3. When I am 38, will I become drastically over-defensive whenever someone posts an anonymous comment about me or my wife (if I have one)?

Thank you in advance for your time. Be well.

Best,
Single 27-year-old guy

Exactamundo, 75. That's what I'm saying.

-71

Check out the ad featuring Gloria Cannon of Lateral Link on the front page of ATL. Could it really be the 38 year old guy's "hot Asian chick" wife?

Could it?

@27: First time an ATL comment has ever made me lol. Thanks for being you.

Unless more litigation and bk attorneys are reading this blog than ever before, no way 80% of readers are on pace for 1600 or more hours.

Everyone I've talked to who does real transactional work (M&A, tax, etc...) would be ecstatic to bill more than 100 hours in a month.

I'm a doughy frat boy with c-cup moobs. I am disgusted by Kash but think I have a chance with 38 year old guy's hot asian imaginary wife. In fact, I'd be doing her now if only I could type with one hand.

I'm with 79. I will be lucky if I come out at 1500, and so will many at my firm (admittedly a TTT big-law wannabe loaded with d-bags).

Moreover, this survey needed more options, like 1400-1600, 1200-1400 or less than 1200. I know lots of people who will down in those ranges this year.

What this poll and these comments tell me is that about 25% of people here are horrible liars. To all the morons commenting that they are on track to bill[insert amount over 2200] hours, I have some advice. First, stop padding your bills. Second, please go tackle a bus because you are a miserable waste of oxygen. Third, enjoy paying for my healthcare suckers!!!

Have more firms begun requiring specific office hours? E.g., 9:00 to 6:00?

According to management at my firm, attorneys were averaging 85% of pace as of June 30 -- so on track to bill 1700 hours this year. From what I understand, the average includes all attorneys. My guess is that the average for partners and of counsel is higher than the average for associates. I know several senior associates who have been staffed on doc reviews. Management didn't give any information regarding trends.

I'm at 1500 hours right now.

600 hours so far this year. Am I in trouble? I mean, really? My whole firm shit the bag. Maybe we shouldn't have done so much "structured finance" back in 2005 - 2007. And we merged with a bunch of toolbags from Hartford or Boston or some place up north.

- MN now BM secure?

Bill-label? Huh?

COUCH SECURE

Is there merit to predicting future job cuts based on avg. hours billed? If a firm's attorneys are on track to bill 85% of their annual minimum, would it follow that the firm is likely to lay off approx. 5-10% of its attorneys?

The firm's remaining attorneys would more profitable to the firm under that scenario so salary cuts could be minimized, if not avoided altogether.

KASH - whatever happened to that poll guy? You are missing a lot of factors: big law v. small v. in-house v. govt.... region.... lit v. transactional.

Anyone desperate for hours want to do some doc review instead of me? Better yet, I can pay someone (ahem... "Roxana") to do doc review for me and then bill the hours as if I had done the work myself! First person to bring me a memo on the ethics and legality of such an arrangement gets the gig. I pay $25/hr... $35 if you babysit and do dishes too.

-Yes, please make survey viewable to non-voters or results will be screwed up.

-At my Biglaw, hours are calculated up to the end of Sept. Am struggling to make 1600 hours and b/c August is so damn slow I might be 10-20 hours below 1600.

-A friend partner there says "Everyone is slow. You'll be fine at 1600 this year." Made it unscathed through performance review.

Those of you who bill 2400 are either losers or liars. Everybody knows it already. I just wanted you to know.

I don't think 2400 is unreasonable this year.

The first four months of the year were TERRIBLE for me. I had like 500 hours. I've been over 200 every month since May though, and it shows no signs of stopping.

I expect to end August with 1400+ hours, and although I don't think I'll hit 2400, 2300 is definitely possible. Someone who had a "better" April than I did could definitely be looking at 2400.

88 - Unless a firm expects revenues to improve very soon, they'll probably continue to eliminate associates even if they have the resources to maintain their present workforce. (Actually, the firms could reduce compensation also.)

89 - I've requested that ATL take a survey many times, some other guests picked up on it, and a few people even responded without thoughtful replies. Let's see whether ATL finally agrees & runs with our suggestion ...

The factors I've suggested are :

HOURS :

(1) Total Hours --- I like the suggestion to include numbers below 1,400. Heck, start at 1,000!

(2) Hours Billable to Client --- This is where 1,200 may appear challenging in some firms / practice areas according to some of the comments many have shared.

(3) % of the Hours Billable to Client spent on "Doc Review"

(4) Hours Billed to Client (if known) (Many of you have correctly observed that large cuts are a sign that someone higher up the chain is cutting the associates' hours and padding their hours).

TYPE OF PRACTICE :

(5) Details more specific than "Lit / Transactional" would probably be informative. Suggested categories

(A) Litigation

(B) Real Estate

(C) Banking / Lending

(D) Capital Markets / Project Finance / ABS / SPV /

(E) Securities (IPO's, Regulatory, Funds, etc.)

****

(F) Other

[If litigation should be broken down into sub-categories, feel free to suggest it. Any other transactional caterogies that I'm forgetting?

YEARS OF PRACTICE

(6) Number of years that the attorney responding has practiced law

STANDARD RATE :

(7) Your hourly billing rate. (Would be interesting ....)

SIZE OF FIRM

(8) Use AmLaw categories such as AmLaw 10, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200 and firms between the AmLaw200 threshold in a couple of increments to less than 25.

Focusing on the size of the firm rather than it's popularity / preftige is probably more useful.

You could inquire about the type of practice but the issues we're concerned about don't seem to "affect" the in-house and government positions nor would the response rates be likely to be sufficient.

REGION

(9) Suggested categories :

NYC

DC

East Coast (above DC)

SouthEast

Midwest

Southwest

Calif

Pacific Northwest

Rocky Mountain States

Lat --- please ask your IT people whether you could do this without much difficulty. The responses I expect you to receive should provide you with the material for a couple of informative, original articles and be of service to your readers.

92: I'll never get used to the fact that most of the time it looks like you're doing nothing.