Comments on: Working Overtime Is How Contract Attorneys Make The Big Bucks http://www.myattorneyblog.com/working-overtime-is-how-contract-attorneys-make-the-big-bucks/ The Life of a Contract Attorney in Temp Town, Washington D.C. Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:50:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Chi-K http://www.myattorneyblog.com/working-overtime-is-how-contract-attorneys-make-the-big-bucks/comment-page-1/#comment-110 Chi-K Sat, 17 Nov 2007 16:07:05 +0000 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/working-overtime-is-how-contract-attorneys-make-the-big-bucks/#comment-110 This is my first year of being a contract attorney. I've only had projects for 8 of the 12 months. I find the only way to really make it through the downtimes is to put in the long hours when you have projects, even if they don't pay time and a half. Unfortunately I've only had one project that paid time and a half, and it was only 3 weeks long, but in those three weeks I worked 95+ hours a week and made some really nice coin. The other contract attorneys thought I was nuts, but my thought was, once you get into the bonus, you keep driving to the hole. I've averaged over 60 hours a week for the 8 months I've worked, and I've managed to surpass the coveted 2000 hours mark this year. This is my first year of being a contract attorney. I’ve only had projects for 8 of the 12 months. I find the only way to really make it through the downtimes is to put in the long hours when you have projects, even if they don’t pay time and a half. Unfortunately I’ve only had one project that paid time and a half, and it was only 3 weeks long, but in those three weeks I worked 95+ hours a week and made some really nice coin. The other contract attorneys thought I was nuts, but my thought was, once you get into the bonus, you keep driving to the hole. I’ve averaged over 60 hours a week for the 8 months I’ve worked, and I’ve managed to surpass the coveted 2000 hours mark this year.

]]> By: Joe Miller http://www.myattorneyblog.com/working-overtime-is-how-contract-attorneys-make-the-big-bucks/comment-page-1/#comment-72 Joe Miller Mon, 05 Nov 2007 18:52:25 +0000 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/working-overtime-is-how-contract-attorneys-make-the-big-bucks/#comment-72 Dear Lawyer Girl, I actually run a blog called (jdwired.com) and social network (jdwired.ning.com) that focus on professional development for contract attorneys. On the blog, I discuss different strategies that contract attorneys can use to continue to look for full-time work, and keep their skills sharp, while they are doing contract work. The tabs at the top of the blog contain links to a number of professional development resources. The social network is a gathering place for contract attorneys to start groups and discuss issues. Eventually, I expect that the group will get large enough to start having monthly receptions, etc. I do hope you join. I also program an internet radio station for contract attorneys to listen to at work (last.fm/listen/user/JDWired/playlist). But that is a nod to my former days as a radio nerd. :) I think you will like it, though--if I do say so myself! Stay in touch. Thanks Temp Partner. Best, Joe Dear Lawyer Girl,

I actually run a blog called (jdwired.com) and social network (jdwired.ning.com) that focus on professional development for contract attorneys.

On the blog, I discuss different strategies that contract attorneys can use to continue to look for full-time work, and keep their skills sharp, while they are doing contract work. The tabs at the top of the blog contain links to a number of professional development resources.

The social network is a gathering place for contract attorneys to start groups and discuss issues. Eventually, I expect that the group will get large enough to start having monthly receptions, etc. I do hope you join.

I also program an internet radio station for contract attorneys to listen to at work (last.fm/listen/user/JDWired/playlist). But that is a nod to my former days as a radio nerd. :) I think you will like it, though–if I do say so myself!

Stay in touch.
Thanks Temp Partner.
Best,
Joe

]]> By: Lawyer Girl http://www.myattorneyblog.com/working-overtime-is-how-contract-attorneys-make-the-big-bucks/comment-page-1/#comment-71 Lawyer Girl Mon, 05 Nov 2007 18:40:50 +0000 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/working-overtime-is-how-contract-attorneys-make-the-big-bucks/#comment-71 I was on the same project at the beginning of the year, and that has been by far, the best project I've been on. It was relatively easy to put in over 90+ hours on that project since the working environment was pleasant as you mentioned. The people on the project were great and having $25 to spend of food was a nice incentive (though I gained a healthy 5 pounds from eating too much). I made enough money working on that project for about a month and a half to cover my living expenses for the next 3 months. I agree with you that the money is considered "fast money", but I wouldn't go as far to refer/compare it to "stripper money." To attempt to answer your question M, I think contract work revolves around basic supply and demand issues. The market might be a bit tighter right now, as it normally is during the end of the year with all the holidays approaching. I believe outsourcing work to countries outside the US, changes in litigation (shorter time periods for these projects), and market saturation (more admittees and recent graduates have probably entered the contract world since this summer) are all factors that contribute to the tightened contract market right now. But I don't think it's a permanent thing - contract world has its peak and off-peak seasons. M, I agree with your comment that attorneys should reevaluate the Contract Attorney field again before making harsh judgments. People do contract work for various personal reasons. Some do it because of the lack of stress it involves, some do it for the pay, the flexibility it has to offer, and some do it to supplement their income while pursuing others interests (such operating a business, having a solo practice, traveling, philanthropy, taking care of young children or aging parents, etc.) Joe, I had a question for you. You mentioned that contract attorneys need to do more to get serious about professional development. Do you have any specific suggestions or ideas? I was on the same project at the beginning of the year, and that has been by far, the best project I’ve been on. It was relatively easy to put in over 90+ hours on that project since the working environment was pleasant as you mentioned. The people on the project were great and having $25 to spend of food was a nice incentive (though I gained a healthy 5 pounds from eating too much). I made enough money working on that project for about a month and a half to cover my living expenses for the next 3 months. I agree with you that the money is considered “fast money”, but I wouldn’t go as far to refer/compare it to “stripper money.”

To attempt to answer your question M, I think contract work revolves around basic supply and demand issues. The market might be a bit tighter right now, as it normally is during the end of the year with all the holidays approaching. I believe outsourcing work to countries outside the US, changes in litigation (shorter time periods for these projects), and market saturation (more admittees and recent graduates have probably entered the contract world since this summer) are all factors that contribute to the tightened contract market right now. But I don’t think it’s a permanent thing – contract world has its peak and off-peak seasons.

M, I agree with your comment that attorneys should reevaluate the Contract Attorney field again before making harsh judgments. People do contract work for various personal reasons. Some do it because of the lack of stress it involves, some do it for the pay, the flexibility it has to offer, and some do it to supplement their income while pursuing others interests (such operating a business, having a solo practice, traveling, philanthropy, taking care of young children or aging parents, etc.)

Joe, I had a question for you. You mentioned that contract attorneys need to do more to get serious about professional development. Do you have any specific suggestions or ideas?

]]> By: Joe Miller http://www.myattorneyblog.com/working-overtime-is-how-contract-attorneys-make-the-big-bucks/comment-page-1/#comment-66 Joe Miller Sun, 04 Nov 2007 05:55:52 +0000 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/working-overtime-is-how-contract-attorneys-make-the-big-bucks/#comment-66 I think that most of the changes in the job market can be linked to the credit crunch and housing bust. Stanley O'Neal is out of a job at Merrill for billions of dollars worth of write downs. I think that most corporations are waiting for events to unfold, as far as the credit market is concerned, before they pursue mergers and acquisitions, which make up the lion's share of work that is to be done at llarge aw firms. But, of course, market saturation of lawyers and offshoring are huge factors as well. I see firms turning more and more towards contract attorneys to do more and more substantive work. At the same time, I see contract attorneys being in a position to demand more in terms of on-the-job training, health insurance, work-life balance, and a host of other things. There will undoubtedly be the typical cadre of thunderstruck lawyers out there who speak incessantly about pedigree, etc. But traditional notions of pedigree, etc. will take a back seat to skills, which is why staffing agencies need to do more and contract attorneys need to do more to get serious about professional development. I think that most of the changes in the job market can be linked to the credit crunch and housing bust. Stanley O’Neal is out of a job at Merrill for billions of dollars worth of write downs. I think that most corporations are waiting for events to unfold, as far as the credit market is concerned, before they pursue mergers and acquisitions, which make up the lion’s share of work that is to be done at llarge aw firms.

But, of course, market saturation of lawyers and offshoring are huge factors as well. I see firms turning more and more towards contract attorneys to do more and more substantive work. At the same time, I see contract attorneys being in a position to demand more in terms of on-the-job training, health insurance, work-life balance, and a host of other things. There will undoubtedly be the typical cadre of thunderstruck lawyers out there who speak incessantly about pedigree, etc. But traditional notions of pedigree, etc. will take a back seat to skills, which is why staffing agencies need to do more and contract attorneys need to do more to get serious about professional development.

]]> By: m http://www.myattorneyblog.com/working-overtime-is-how-contract-attorneys-make-the-big-bucks/comment-page-1/#comment-65 m Sat, 03 Nov 2007 06:44:01 +0000 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/working-overtime-is-how-contract-attorneys-make-the-big-bucks/#comment-65 As an Associate, I have to spend 70+ hrs in the office weekly to make my billables. Further, I don't get free benefits, Free CLEs, Free Meals, or Free Transportation. I am making less as an Associate than as a Temp/Contract Attorney. "At Will" employment doesn't give me any job security. I honestly think that we, attorneys, need to evaluate the Contract Attorney field again before making harsh judgments. I would like to hear your take on the job market instability right now. Is it due to market saturation, jobs going overseas, or changes in litigation? As an Associate, I have to spend 70+ hrs in the office weekly to make my billables. Further, I don’t get free benefits, Free CLEs, Free Meals, or Free Transportation. I am making less as an Associate than as a Temp/Contract Attorney. “At Will” employment doesn’t give me any job security. I honestly think that we, attorneys, need to evaluate the Contract Attorney field again before making harsh judgments.

I would like to hear your take on the job market instability right now. Is it due to market saturation, jobs going overseas, or changes in litigation?

]]>