tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152715287192963411.post1849903387771196241..comments2023-09-08T07:39:05.856-04:00Comments on Vicki Voisin - The Paralegal Mentor with Paralegal Career Strategies: Ethics Tip: Hey! Those are MY Billable Hours!Paralegal Mentorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08327049706431074826noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152715287192963411.post-81228694390133311142009-11-20T09:26:24.554-05:002009-11-20T09:26:24.554-05:00Whew! I can take my self-preservation hat off and ...Whew! I can take my self-preservation hat off and put my ethics hat back on.Margaret Lucas Agiushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18294552980189101808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152715287192963411.post-61569939125359314032009-11-20T08:18:07.836-05:002009-11-20T08:18:07.836-05:00Margaret...Your point is well taken. I should have...Margaret...Your point is well taken. I should have mentioned that the firm Anonymous works for does not set billable hour goals. Anonymous is primarily concerned with the ethical issues.<br /><br />However, you are certainly correct in that if a paralegal has billable hour goals but can't meet them because someone else is 'taking' them, then it is an issue for paralegals when it's time for their annual review.<br /><br />Another issue is when the attorney is doing work at no cost for a 'friend' and the paralegal, in turn, is not to record time for the 'friend.'Paralegal Mentorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08327049706431074826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152715287192963411.post-41562753507113435362009-11-19T22:49:07.757-05:002009-11-19T22:49:07.757-05:00Dear Anonymous:
Pardon my selfishness, but do yo...Dear Anonymous: <br /><br />Pardon my selfishness, but do you also have a billable hour requirement that affects performance reviews, raises, bonuses, and the like? Are the hours which you are instructed to bill as the attorney's time at the attorney's rate also being taken away from your own billable hour requirement? The client isn't the only one getting cheated.<br /><br />Let's face it: failure to meet billable hour requirements or goals can be used against an employee. It known to be one of the deciding factors in layoffs and downsizing. (May I introduce myself, Exhibit M, and one of my best friends, Exhibit G?)<br /><br />Just a little different perspective from one who has been unemployed for almost a year...Margaret Lucas Agiushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18294552980189101808noreply@blogger.com