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Looking after number one

13 October 2017 / Jonathan Goodliffe
Issue: 7765 / Categories: Features , Profession
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In the first of two articles, Jonathan Goodliffe explains why being incredibly busy is a great way to offload stress

How can you possibly cope nowadays with the pressure of being a top fee earner? You are expected to put in seven or eight chargeable hours a day. On top of that you have to turn up for endless internal meetings. These cover boring things like know-how, Brexit, appraisals, horizon scanning, marketing, directory submissions, financial targets, daily and weekly financial regulation updates, contact and client databases, negligence claims, drinks parties for trainees, unfair dismissal claims from incompetent former staff.

So what’s the solution? You could give up lawyering altogether and retrain as a ‘posh’ plumber or artisan baker. You would then endure the sneers and contempt of or be ostracised by your former colleagues. Or you could have a breakdown, scream and shout at your secretary (if you’re still allowed to have one) or trainee, or get help with (or get on with) your drinking problem.

“ The joy of being incredibly busy is that it allows

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Twenty Essex—Professor Payam Akhavan

Twenty Essex—Professor Payam Akhavan

Chambers deepens international law bench with leading global advocate

Asserson—Adele Merifield, Sangiwe Mbele & Moishe Noe

Asserson—Adele Merifield, Sangiwe Mbele & Moishe Noe

Trio of hires in real estate and dispute resolution teams in Manchester

Lake Legal—Hollie Burnett

Lake Legal—Hollie Burnett

Family law firm appoints partner in Leeds

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