Hellobee Boards

Aw. *hugs* Thank goodness HelloBee is here to keep you company!!

Thank you for posting this. Sometimes it's difficult to know if you're bothering people, or if they really want to have company.

I hope that the rest of your bed rest goes by smoothly & quickly!

Ps...@winniebee: only 91 posts to go!!!

@WinnieBee: Yep. Liability (defense) litigation. And several of my bigger cases are really starting to heat up now. I just don't have the concentration I had before, and my stamina is shot. I still spend *hours* at work because I still feel compelled to (at least) meet my hours requirement, but it just takes so long to bill what I used to . . . and because my practice group is short-handed, things can be a little hectic. Coupled with my migraines . . . well, I am struggling. My partners are understanding, but at the same time, (I feel like) it's so early in the pregnancy game that I don't want to wear out any sympathy -lol!- so I try to push through.

Aw, hang in there Winniebee!

Awww.... hope you get some visitors soon! You'll be getting too many of them after the baby gets here.

Aww, sorry! If I was in the area, I would visit you!

@LindsayInNYC: I will start by saying this . . . there are two types of people in the world, those that pee in their wet suits, and those that lie about it. Billing is an art, and in the beginning everyone struggles, whether they admit it or not. It gets easier to bill, but the hours don't change. I'm a 5th year (law is my second career), and I still kick myself when I realize I did not maximize my billing on a matter. It all adds up!

And I totally agree with what WinnieBee wrote - definitely find billing entries to review from more experienced associates . . . it really does help to see how time can be captured when it's organized properly. I had a lot of help from my DH who is also an attorney (although we practice completely different specialties).

And yeah, billing stinks! It is something that others can never fully appreciate unless and until they have experienced it and lived under the 24-7-365 pressure of a billing requirement.

@WinnieBee and @MsLipGloss - thank you both for your reassurances! I graduated 4 years ago but have only been in the billing world just over a year now (plaintiff's work before that). My last firm gave zero guidance and I was constantly frustrated. Now I'm getting guidance but still feel lost because I'm relearning a new firm's approach to it. I asked another associate to see her billing since I can't access it myself and she was hesitant to give it. I printed previous bills for one of my files to look at on my way home tonight. I know it's an art but man, I can't wait until it just clicks! I'm at a super family friendly firm and it's a good fit for me so I really want it to work out (nevermind the bonus attached to the billing!)

@MsLipGloss - I don't think there's a way to get the pre-bills. They go right to the partner. But, the finalized bills are kept in the actual file so I copied some of those for one of my older cases so I could look at other entries. Hopefully that will help...

YES! I totally agree. People wanted to do something (bring us food, etc.) but I kept saying "the best thing you could do for us right now is just visit me!" It got better once I was given the ok to start working from home, but still, it was so isolating. Hang in there!

awwww @winniebee if I had met you already in real life I would totally visit you!! Haha!!

@winniebee: awww well YAY for those supportive friends and BOO for family You can ALWAYS vent to us!! That is what we are here for!! I wish I knew your family so I could drop some hints

@winniebee: awww!! if she wasn't already a mom, you guys could be on bedrest together..!! And how great to have such a supportive mom. Is all that family close by?? If so, you're so lucky!! My parents lived within 30 mins of me until just 3 years ago, and I miss them so much!! I know if I were on bedrest, my mom would be over every day! She's coming to stay with us for 6 months on and off after baby #2 arrives and I can't wait.

@winniebee: awww that's so cool. My bro lives in Jersey so we don't see them often, but his in-laws are here in MA so they do visit from time to time. But they've got 2 kids so they don't get up here as much anymore. My parents are down in PA, but my mom's side of the family is up here in MA as well... Why doesn't everyone just move here?!?!? I'm crossing my fingers that my parents will retire soon and move back. That would be awesome.

Must be sad to leave all your family soon...!! At least they can all be around for when the baby is born and in those fun early days!!

@winniebee: oh gosh that's right-- for some reason 15 months seems less than a year. Haha. But yeah, that's quite far off! How long will you be gone? We have to plan meetups/playdates before your move, and after you get back