No-Motion / Home-Motion

Lawyers, probably more than anybody, suffer from no-motion.  That is when at a law firm provides you, or as an associate you technically get, a promotion but no increase in salary or bonus.  The law firm adds responsibilities, duties or more cases to tge attorney's current roster, but the 'monetary compensation does not keep up with it.  This is something that typically creeps up on lawyers at larger firms anyway.

In short, it is a good thing for the law firm, but I am not always sure it is good thing for the lawyer.

Some law firms like to play this game where you move up in title from associate to senior associate, to junior partner, to senior partner and then to name partner.  Maybe they have other positions as well.  But, the jump to any partner level position should be a little concerning if you are taking on liabilities and responsibilities but not much else in the way of compensation.

In bigger law firms there is always the issue of taking risks but not getting paid for it.

I just finally came to the conclusion that I can no-motion myself.  I call it the home-motion wherein I move my office home, and have no staff.  At first, anyway, this creates more responsibilities.  After all, you now have no one to address your envelopes and place a stamp on them.  That is now your job.  But, at least when the money is good it is my money.

At least with the home-motion you have the added perk of avoiding a commute, and having breakfast on the back patio.

My suggestion really is when continually faced with the no-motion at work, try the home-motion, and do what I do.

Comments

[Julie A. Fleming]

Working from home requires much more organization and self-discipline than working in an office. Not only do you have to do all of the everyday tasks yourself, but you also have to resist the many temptations that home offers. If there's a child at home, you have to multitask and figure out how to both have time to take care of the child's needs while also having uninterrupted work time. Unlike when you work from an office, you are never actually "off work." You don't come home to have your relaxation time, because home is your office. I don't recommend it for everyone.

But there are certainly benefits for those who are organized and self-disciplined enough to handle it. As you said, the money you make is yours, and usually the amount of work you do reflects directly on the amount of money you make. You do have the possibility of more flexibility, though I recommend keeping a mostly firm work schedule. Also, you get to decide your own title.

[PerGynt]

It would proably be more fun if they gave you different colored belts with your no-motions. It would be fun to get promoted to green-belt attorney, or brown belt attorney. Still, the only thing anybody off the street would see is that you are not a black belt.
Think I'll stay home and work on this phone and this computer. If I work hard and steady every day and work my marketing plan like I should I'll eventually get where I'm going.
Oh wait...gotta pass the bar first.
S'cuse me. Gotta get back to work.