Exactly. My hourly rate is massive. But I only get paid for the actual hours that I work. So if I only work 4 hrs one week, I only get paid for those hours.
And if I'm in court for ten mins or for the whole day, my rate is the same. And that rate includes preparation etc.
I never get paid for the admin/billing/phone calls/research/etc that I do. That's all off my own bat, so to speak.
For example, it's Saturday afternoon and I've spent three hours reading the latest case law. That's not paid. I do that 3-4 times per week. That's 9-12 hrs of unpaid work each week.
TBH I have absolutely no idea what my "rate" would be if I added in all the unpaid hours. And the schmoozing. Don't forget the schmoozing. I reckon it costs me $200/wk for schmoozing. But you have to spend money to make money in my game... that schmoozing gets me work.
Very true about the schmoozing. Can't schmooze very much in a country town and there is very little support from peers (because you are the only guy doing the job in town!)
... so the isolation was the final straw for my DH. And they wonder why they can't PAY people to move to this region (there is a $7,000 grant for city peoploe who sell their home to move here... they expected hundreds to take up the offer... about 3 are thinking about it!) Sorry off topic now but there is so much more than hourly rates when it comes to a viable career. Interesting thread though.
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