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I've heard vague indications that the Brit firms offer an incrementally more relaxed work environment, or slightly better QOL. Can anyone confirm, deny, clarify? I'm interested in transactional work and weighing a Linklaters summer offer for NY. Thanks.

the OPPOSITE is actually true. these firms are the V5 of the UK and the work-life in NYC reflects this, IMO.

The one person I know at the NY office of a Magic Circle firm works harder than anyone else I know in biglaw. 80 hour weeks basically since starting last fall, denied vacations they requested etc. I'm sure thats not true for everyone, but these offices are smaller, with fewer support staff and more to prove than the big US firms in NY.

Editing this to add that there are good things about the MC too, such as international brand awareness, opportunities to work abroad etc. But expecting it to be any less work/more chill in NY is prob setting yourself up for disappointment.

Worked overseas for a Magic Circle firm. Since the practice area is almost always capital market, the QOL is comparable to that of NY biglaws.

However, Magic Circle firms do make you take a lot of vacations (5 weeks at my firm) a year and people REALLY DO USE THEM. So yes, they work you like animal just as NY firms, but you get a couple more weeks of vacations each year.

The additional plus is that there is usually a COLA package (40k to 90k USD extra salary depending on your experience) if you work overseas as a US lawyer.

I know a person at Linklaters NYC who works like a dog, certainly on par with American firms in NYC.

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Probably not any better or worse than other NYC big law.