Top Law Schools

I am a 1L at a top 5 law school. I know it is very early to be thinking about which market to focus on, but I think it may be helpful when targeting my summer internships. Also, I have a family, so hours and stress are very important for me (yes, I know that the law is a very stressful profession no matter where I end up practicing, and that I shouldn't enter it if i shouldn't handle it). I hope to work in a BigLaw for a few years before doing in-house. I have no ties to any secondary markets, except Boston. So out of Boston and all the other major markets (I assume NYC, LA, DC, Chicago, San Francisco, and maybe TX), which market has less crazy hours, and may be more family friendly? I know it really depends a lot on the firm, but I think the area also has an influence on the hours expected out of the associates (e.g. NYC generally has the worst hours).

I hear that the West Coast generally has a more laid back attitude, would this apply to law firms as well?

Thank you very much for your insight.

This is probably more of a practice area and firm specific question, not so much a market question. But if you're trying to find a market based on this I would think that Texas is probably the most family friendly one.

ETA: Probably not an appropriate forum for this topic. http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 3&t=170599

bdubs wrote:This is probably more of a practice area and firm specific question, not so much a market question. But if you're trying to find a market based on this I would think that Texas is probably the most family friendly one.

ETA: Probably not an appropriate forum for this topic. http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 3&t=170599

Thank you for your response. I have worked as a paralegal in the NYC and Boston markets, and have some friends who are associates in those markets and in Chicago. I definitely notice some kind of pattern. For example, I find that more NYC partners tend to not have families, so they are less understanding of paralegals and associates who do. So I thought that there may be some market influence.

I am sorry about maybe posting in the wrong forum. I read the rules, but was not sure, since I do have a bit of experience working at BigLaw (not as an attorney though). I also thought that it may help some 2Ls and 3Ls deciding on where to bid on.