If being a lawyer is such a miserable profession then why is enrollment/interest in law school higher than ever before? Why do people become lawyers and work at high paying law firms if the firms do rob them of having any life?
Mr. Roe's multiple replies contain excellent advice and are entirely accurate. His point about asking an attorney is well taken. With that said, keep in mind that not every attorney will be a good fit for a large firm. I began my career at a large firm and enjoyed it. After several years, I left that firm with a practice group to form a 20-attorney boutique. At my new firm, I work many less hours, few weekends, and the occasional late night. I also make almost as much money as I would have if I had remained at my old firm.Surprisingly, among the hundreds of attorneys with whom I have worked over the years, the top 5 most successful are plaintiffs' attorneys at small firms (or solo practitioners). Their income blows away all but the highest-paid partners at the large firms. Smaller firms also allow more latitude for entrepreneurialism. When I graduated from law school, I would have been devastated had I not been offered a position with a large firm. If I had only known then what I know now....
Quote from: John Galt on September 26, 2007, 03:10:59 PMFInd out what the billing requirements are at the firms you are interested in, that will tell you how many hours you have to work. A 2000 hour billing requirment is going to run you roughly 60-70 hours a week at work, depending on how much nonbilling stuff you do (like eat, development, firm meeting). 1500 is going to run you about a 40 hours a week, both assuming you take 2 weeks vacation and holidays. This is exactly why you shouldn't rely on this board to answer your question...ask a real lawyer, somebody in a big firm who actually bills 2000 hours/year.nTo say that in order to bill 2000 hours you have to work 60-70 a week is utterly retarded. Let's say you work 48 weeks out of the year...2000/48 = 41.6 hours/week...so assuming that you bill 80% of your time at work (which is a standard at many firms), you would have to work 52 hours per week. Some weeks may require 60 or more, but average at my firm is ALWAYS under 60, and sometimes under 50...and its still possible to bill 2000.Don't forget, pro bono work can often be included toward billable requirements (sometimes in upwards of 250+ hours). Think about that.
FInd out what the billing requirements are at the firms you are interested in, that will tell you how many hours you have to work. A 2000 hour billing requirment is going to run you roughly 60-70 hours a week at work, depending on how much nonbilling stuff you do (like eat, development, firm meeting). 1500 is going to run you about a 40 hours a week, both assuming you take 2 weeks vacation and holidays.
Is there a good resource to find out a firm's true minimum billables (especially for those that don't list a minimum billable requirement on NALP). I just don't believe some NY firms when they say 1850 is their minimum on NALP and would like some concrete numbers. Also, what firms require different levels of billables for different levels of bonuses? Infirmation doesn't seem to have updated info.
Just make sure you know the real deal on how the rest of the world works as well. There are very few jobs where you can come in, work 40 hours a week, and then completely mentally and physically check out at the end of the day and still get paid extremely well.
Quote from: Connelly on July 18, 2008, 02:09:55 PMJust make sure you know the real deal on how the rest of the world works as well. There are very few jobs where you can come in, work 40 hours a week, and then completely mentally and physically check out at the end of the day and still get paid extremely well.This is a great point. I worked in advertising sales for a decade before becoming a lawyer, and my work week now is really no different than it was before. Most jobs worth having are NOT 40-hour per week gigs, no matter what industry you're in.
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