Lifestyle Choices Vs. The Billable Hour Requirement

Young attorneys sometimes face difficult choices between their responsibilities at work and their loyalties to family and friends.  We have discussed a young attorney's time commitments in most legal positions in prior posts.  While we need to hone our skills at all times, our production is measured by billable hours. 

Sometimes, however, friends or family need us more than our yearly hours count does.  Things happen to our loved ones and they rarely happen at the perfect time.  Now, should you drop everything your doing and abandon your job to be there for a friend no matter what the circumstances are or no matter the cost?  Of course not, there are exceptions to every rule.  When you're in trial, you're taking a big depo, have a critical meeting, etc., sometimes you cannot leave.  But, if your main concern is that you need to bill hours or that you just took a sick day last week and can't be out of the office again, step back and take in some perspective.  Get in a little earlier tomorrow, skip lunch if you have to to make up for it.  Your loved ones need you more.  Remember, you always have to look yourself in the eye and live with your decisions. 

Attorney Craig Salner is a partner with the Miami, Florida, litigation law firm of Clarke Silverglate, P.A. He has been with the firm since graduating from Vanderbilt University Law School in 2003.  He specializes in employment litigation, commercial litigation, product liability and insurance defense.  Mr. Salner produces a daily blog on legal issues and beyond which can be found at http://csalner.wordpress.com/.  

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