4.1.26 Billable Hours

Coming in a little late (and hot) with my monthly billable hours check in.

My firm expects partners to track 2400 hours all-in, annually.

This includes, of course, billable client work.

It also includes, investment (or nonbillable) time, such as:

→ admin time
→ CLEs, conferences, professional development
→ business development
→ DEI work and mentoring
→ community involvement, bar associations, boards

I'm almost back on track after a slow start to the year.

This month, my goal? 210.4 hours.

I have lots of trackable travel this month, a couple matters heating up, and also some hopeful half-days for taking care of myself in the Florida heat and sunshine.

So, looking ahead, I see:

21 full working days + 6 half working days.

210 / 24 working days = 8.8 hours on full days and 4.4 hours on half days, with weekends to catch up as needed.

This is really a healthy goal for most big law attorneys (and less than a lot bill each day, if we're being honest).

When I miss the goal, I'll spread that time over the next day, week, or rest of the month.

When I exceed the goal, I'll take time off the next day, week, or rest of the month--or I'll hold, so that I continue to catch up after a slow Q1 and even build a buffer, for time off or slow times down the road.

And look, I know: the billable hour is dreaded by most in our profession.

But, like most things: you can change your mindset about it and make it a simple work requirement that you succeed at mastering so you can focus on the work that matters.

I believe the billable hour model, as a lense of productivity and profitability, will drastically change in my lifetime.

And yet, it is here, right now, and something I must track.

So I do, diligently and daily so that I can take time off and plan for vacations mostly guilt free.

♥️✌🏻🔥