Billing Targets

[krh1984]

I've recently been offered a training contract at a regional medium sized firm. It doesn't start until 2007, but I know that the firm does set billing targets.

My interviewers said that the targets weren't so high as to be difficult to meet, but it's still a daunting prospect..

Has anyone had experience of working to billing targets as a trainee or qualified solicitor? If so, were they always conscious of them?

Thanks

[swanseadave]

I was at a national firm on a summer placement in the summer. The trainees there said their targets were quite realistic.

From other firms that i have seen and people I have spoken to, it seems to be that as long as you work at least a 9 - 5ish day you should have no problem meeting it. As far as I can tell it is just the easiest way of making sure that everyone is pulling their weight, I doubt that you will get any trouble if you are working hard and properly and miss it. On the plus side, a high number of hours may mean a bonus.

[amiles]

The above reply is good advice.

I can add the following:

It can depend on what seat you are working in -some areas of work are easier to bill than others

For example, PI has predictable costs. So, even if you time record, you may not be able to bill it.

Other work has lots of travel, demands lots of time in attendance on clients, (ie mental health) therefore, it is easier to time record and to therefore, reach billing targets!


A few tips:

Cant bill = dont do or at least try your best to spend less time/do once you are nearing your daily target;

(Prioritize)

Get stuck... set yourself a time limit and then ask for help;

Preparation time is the best way to get your time recording up - this reading, researching and preparing (ie drafting documents).

Hope this helps,

A newbie

[krh1984]

Thanks so much for the replies. I feel quite relieved now!

[Kitty]

I've been working as a conveyancing legal exec for the past three years and have billing targets to meet. These are not unrealistic and in fact work as an incetive to get on an do the job- more completions means more billed clients which means a bigger bonus in my pay packet at the end of themonth. I've been told in the last year I increased the firms profits in res con by 25% on my predecessor.

[emi38]

Following on from my earlier posts, I just wanted to say how glad I am that decided to move my job and work for a charity legal dept and not a solicitors firm!

The whole issue of bililng targets makes me feel as though the profession is turning us all into insurance salesmen!!!

My old boss (partner in a small firm) was so obsessed with billing targets I could rarely give the clients good service - i was repeatedly told not to phone people on their behalf because we weren't getting paid for it!!

being a part time waitress as well, i found that such attitudes towards customer service were appalling!!!!