Anonymous User wrote: ↑Wed May 27, 2020 11:01 pm
Sackboy wrote: ↑Wed May 27, 2020 10:27 pm
lawlo wrote: ↑Wed May 27, 2020 9:18 pm
Further, why do you all do BK? Was it just that it was the job available? Seems unlikely considering those at top shops likely had other options at some point, or atleast the chance to transfer practice areas.
This is the question I always wanted to know the answer to. I work in a practice that is notorious for having bad hours compared to almost every other practice area, but they pale in comparison to what the folks on our BK team do. BK always intrigued me, but I just can't imagine that many hours. Are you all just S tier masochists?
Non-OP, anon bk associate.
Hours are always "bad", but a lot of this is just crisis related. Pre-COVID, I had a few months north of 300, but most busy months were more 200-250. And plenty of months, if not most, well below that. Overall, hours probably are generally in the upper end of bad, but not really that different than M&A. I put up with those hours because I like the practice, honestly don't think I'd be interested in doing anything else.
We are just in a situation where several sectors of the economy completely crashed with little notice. Bankruptcy associates don't just spring out of the air. So it makes sense many of them are completely crushed right now.
I’m the anon BK mid level. It’s not always like this. I’m generally over 200 hours each month, but pre-COVID, there was a fair amount of travel involved, and we technically bill all travel time (half when it goes to client). I didn’t mind it, and it was a nice way to catch up on Netflix or just read/sleep. Occasionally I’d have to work on the plane.
Most days pre-COVID, I’m done by 530-6 and wouldn’t have to work at home, mostly because I wasn’t on four debtor matters and two creditor matters. Like someone earlier said, the whole economy tanked at once, at a time when retail and oil & gas were already going down.
As for why I do this, I enjoy the variety. I do a ton of deal making, I’ve appeared in court, I’ve worked on several sale transactions, two spin offs, been involved in a few real trials (tho lead by real litigators), read a ton of debt docs, deal with tax, employment, and IP issues, and get a ton of client contact. You can really spin that experience into an in-house role—I’ve had a few interviews and had one offer (was too much of a financial hit).
Not sure how much longer I’ll do this. I’ve been told I’m on the “right path,” for whatever that’s worth.