First-year associate with 2000-hour requirement

2000-hour billable requirement, and trying to figure out what that actually looks like day to day.

Litigation in my office tends to slow down a lot in November and December, and I’ve heard from other first years that they’ve had to make up most of their hours in the second half of the year. I’d really like to avoid that if possible.

So I’m curious, for people in litigation:

• How do you stay on pace early in the year?
• How do you keep work flowing when things are slow, is it normal to reach out to other offices for assignments, or does that come off as desperate?
• What does “2000 hours” really look like week to week?

Just trying to set myself up right instead of panicking in Q4. Any advice from people who’ve been there would be super appreciated.

Author: One_Plantain5768