anyone else apprehensive about biglaw culture and overwork? Forum

[loomy78]

I'm seeing reports of associates DYING from overwork. I'm worried 70+ hours a week will make me miserable and unhealthy.

is there anyone who had this fear going into biglaw and can share their insights after gaining work experience?

[Iceman69]

I'm assuming/hoping you get used to it? Or you're just not cut out for it and leave.

[nsideirish]

I'm worried 70+ hours a week will make me miserable and unhealthy.

You should be because it will.

[ymmv]

I'm seeing reports of associates DYING from overwork. I'm worried 70+ hours a week will make me miserable and unhealthy.

is there anyone who had this fear going into biglaw and can share their insights after gaining work experience?

Haven't biglawed yet, but worked another 70+ hour career for let's say 4-8 years before I decided to take a 3-year "vacation" in the form of LS. It was bad but not usually horrible. The time in the office goes by more quickly than you'd think, though it's being reachable at home that really sucks. That said you get very good at playing the game and sneaking in a functional personal life between the deadlines.

All in all I still had a good social life, made it to the gym somewhat regularly, and maintained my hobbies. And I wasn't making anywhere near biglaw salary, so I imagine that has to soften the sweatshop blow a little bit. I'm sure it varies a lot person-by-person but I expect to be able to survive another 4-6 years in those conditions (assuming I get biglaw and don't get fired) before I settle down to a more comfortable midlife somewhere. Potential ulcers and heart attacks notwithstanding, but c'est la vie.

[smallfirmassociate]

I'm seeing reports of associates DYING from overwork. I'm worried 70+ hours a week will make me miserable and unhealthy.

is there anyone who had this fear going into biglaw and can share their insights after gaining work experience?

The hours aren't good, but they're not the worst part as far as I can tell. I have a lot of friends who work 60+ hour work weeks, including consultants, business executives, salesmen, and biglawyers. Of them, only the lawyers truly hate their jobs/lives, along with one entry-level consultant who has since been promoted and doesn't mind his job anymore.

Deadlines, short notices, and unreasonable / anti-social / unhealthy / borderline-psychopathic bosses combine with the general feeling of being OWNED during every second of your alleged "free" time to create a truly shitty experience. Or so I've been told.

[loomy78]

bump

[DELG]

Deadlines, short notices, and unreasonable / anti-social / unhealthy / borderline-psychopathic bosses combine with the general feeling of being OWNED during every second of your alleged "free" time to create a truly shitty experience. Or so I've been told.

Every time my phone buzzes:
"Oh god, don't be [cast of characters], please please please please"
*look at phone*
"Your Barney's Warehouse order has shipped!"
*sweet relief*

[loomy78]

Deadlines, short notices, and unreasonable / anti-social / unhealthy / borderline-psychopathic bosses combine with the general feeling of being OWNED during every second of your alleged "free" time to create a truly shitty experience. Or so I've been told.

Every time my phone buzzes:
"Oh god, don't be [cast of characters], please please please please"
*look at phone*
"Your Barney's Warehouse order has shipped!"
*sweet relief*

is it possible to maintain a social life and be reasonably healthy/happy working biglaw for a few years? i've heard you can "coast" for about 6 months before getting fired

[DELG]

Deadlines, short notices, and unreasonable / anti-social / unhealthy / borderline-psychopathic bosses combine with the general feeling of being OWNED during every second of your alleged "free" time to create a truly shitty experience. Or so I've been told.

Every time my phone buzzes:
"Oh god, don't be [cast of characters], please please please please"
*look at phone*
"Your Barney's Warehouse order has shipped!"
*sweet relief*

is it possible to maintain a social life and be reasonably healthy/happy working biglaw for a few years? i've heard you can "coast" for about 6 months before getting fired

i guess it depends on the group/who you're working with

at a firm where you have to seek out work i can see how that would work. i literally cannot avoid assignments so i would have to blow off what i've been assigned and i can't imagine you can last very long just literally not doing what you've been given