Biglaw Firm Plans To Let Associates Bill For Being On Vacation

Picture it: You're relaxed, sitting on the beach. Nothing more pressing going through your mind than which flavor daiquiri to try next. And all those hours are billable -- and count towards your hours requirement.
That dream can be your reality at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner. The firm announced a new "time-off bonus" program, as reported by Legal Cheek, and if attorneys hit certain bonus targets, they'll be able to take a vacation and bill it to the firm. The initiative is designed to encourage associates to actually take a vacation and improve the well-being of the firm's attorneys.
Co-chairs of the firm Lisa Mayhew and Steve Baumer said they "are very proud of our new global investment hours policy, which is focused on recognising and rewarding the wide range of valuable contributions made by our lawyers to BCLP's culture and community."
They added that the scheme had been "carefully designed to support the mental and physical health of those working at the firm, which sits directly in line with our firm values."
Plus, for those who hit the "highest bonus eligibility target," the firm will give them "cash vacation bonuses."
Lloyd Stephenson, global director of inclusion and diversity and recruitment, had this to say about the program: "At BCLP we are looking to encourage a more holistic view of success and are pleased to be getting this broad policy in place firmwide. We see this as a great opportunity to ensure that our lawyers are taking the necessary breaks in order to protect their mental health while also contributing to the culture and long-term success of the firm behaviour."
Additionally, up to 5% of an associate's billing requirement can be devoted to non-client matters such as learning, diversity, well-being, knowledge, and innovation.
When it comes to associate well-being, it's great to see a firm putting their billable hours where their mouth is.


Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @Kathryn1@mastodon.social.