Biglaw

Biglaw Firm Breaks The Secrecy Over Partnership Decisions Revealing Just How Many Billable Hours It Takes

Sure, it's a lot of hours but at least the firm is upfront about it.

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Time is money billable hoursLet’s call this one a victory for transparency.

According to an internal memo circulated in May, the Biglaw firm of Hogan Lovells has come clean about exactly how many hours it takes if you want the brass ring of partnership. Drumroll, please. It’s 2,400.

Yes, that’s a lot of hours, but it’s not as bad as it seems at first blush. A partner at the firm told Law.com that’s an “all in” number, which comprises a whole lot more than just billable hours. But another partner did share the firm’s billable target as well:

“When it comes to chargeable hours, about 1,700 is what we like our people to work towards. The rest of the contribution is things like lots of training, knowledge management, pastoral care, pro bono and DEI work as well as other contributions to the firm’s culture.”

And the illuminating memo from HoLove CEO Miguel Zaldivar is meant to demystify the process. As insiders at the were quick to point out:

“We’re really trying to have that clarity as an organization,” they continued. “Times have changed and we want to be in keeping with that. Even just 10 years ago if someone said to you what it takes to be a partner, it would have been a gentle tap on the shoulder from a more senior mentor to ‘join the club.’”

Points to the Biglaw firm for its honesty.

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Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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