Some Lawyers Thrive on Billable Hours

Some lawyers actually like and thrive on billable hours.  Living in six-minute or fifteen-minute increments agrees with their temperaments and provides them with the structure and measurable results they crave.  Indeed, many individuals who choose law school could be classified as type A personalities: they work hard at everything and are hyper-competitive.  The billable hour system provides an arena in which such individuals can compete and compare themselves with others.  It is easy for a lawyer who bills hours to keep a daily and hourly score and to determine whether she is "winning."  Many law firm associates and partners go so far as to discuss their billable hour totals with their fellow associates and partners in an effort to see where they stand in relation to each other.  If a partner is lagging behind in her billable hour totals, there is a simple solution for catching up: bill more hours, stay late, and spend weekends in the office.