| Topic Name: |
How is Biglaw really? |
| Message Name: |
Happy, but... |
| Date Posted: |
07/19/2001 |
| In Reply To: |
Considering all the horror-stories about biglaw, is there anybody out there that is actually happy in Biglaw?
I do want to have a fast-paced, interesting, and competitive job in which I can have an above-average salary. In high school, college, and (now) law school, I have always been willing to work more than others, and that will not change once I start work. But that does not mean that I wany to sacrifice my entire life, health, and happiness to my job and the money I get paid!
Considering that so many intelligent people go into Biglaw, I simply cannot imagine that all of them are just greedy people that sacrifice everything to work.
Only serious comments please. |
| Message: |
I'm quite satisfied with a 300+ firm in DC, but I don't (2000) have a herculean requirements of NYC firms (2200+) and like the partners I work for in an interesting field, which is limited in entry to technical backgrounds (IP). Its about 60-65 hours of productive time. 37-45 of which is billable. I thought I had a good work ethic til I got here, and I don't have it so bad.
I think and dream about work away from work and it takes me 24 hours to clear my mind from it when I get a couple of days away.
Nevertheless, I have health problems related to stress and my spouse constantly complains. I work (at least)one day a weekend and review work at home. I went from 20 books a year to 2. I met my wife before BIGLAW so I didn't have to worry about a real social life, and I came in the backdoor (merger with boutique). I spend 10-12 hours a day generating documents for corporations to either protect from or bludgeon other corporations.
My purpose 12 hours a day is to make money for: (1)the partner I work for, (2)the firm, and (3) maybe the client, if they're fortunate. It is not just the work hours, it is the productivity of the hours that's cruicial. If am not productive, I might as well go home and take a nap, so that I can be when I come back in at 7pm. A partner cannot bill 10 hours for a 5 hours project. It's like constantly being under exam (take home variety) pressure. I am used to it most of the time, sometimes, I need to save easy work, form filings or background research, for a breather.
I cannot have a dog now, becuase I would never be home to walk it, neither would my wife. This is ok, for now.
My job is a great intellectual challenge with new types of work every week and I love the business development aspect, and the pay allows me to get ahead and support a lifestyle. I I get respect and contructive criticism from partners, who will tell me when I screw up and to go home when I am sick (most of the time).
I was given full information on the work requirements before I started, so I don't (can't) complain. I like and respect most of my colleagues, but wouldn't consider them friends, and don't hang out with them much.
If I didn't really like what I did and the people I made money for (the purpose of being an assoicate is to make money for your partner), it would be a living hell, and I don't have it as bad here compared to many other associates who work on the K street strip. The object is that in 4-5 years it will be worth it. My boss throws my a small client to handle now and then, and I had better do it right, if I want to make partner.
My friends in the government have interesting careers too, but no health problems.
This posting only served as a small vacation. It does not go into the productive time category, but was a good break between massive projects. Good luck.
|
|
