A&O adds 500 hours to associate targets

Magic circle firm Allen & Overy (A&O) has hiked its annual recordable hours targets for associate solicitors by more than 500 hours, raising the minimum level to 2,200 'office hours' a year.

The initiative requires associates to record the additional hours on activities of high value to the business, including know-how, which according to an internal memo can be done on your journey to/from work or at home.

Hannah Wiskin, Law Society council member for young solicitors and vice-chair of the Young Solicitors Group, said that a long-hours culture and poor management structures are forcing associate solicitors out of the profession in droves.