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I've heard a couple partners mention things similar to the above. They talk about working hard, working all the time, etc. etc. then at some point pepper in this whole holier-than-thou "oh I don't do this for the money."

Maybe I'm just cynical but I can't imagine anyone working that hard, talking about their kids they never see and sacrifice for, and truly making a lot of money, and yet being driven by some unknown X factor. I mean is this just lawyer-speak for, "I'm just cranky right now I didn't go into finance."

NightHooded wrote:I've heard a couple partners mention things similar to the above. They talk about working hard, working all the time, etc. etc. then at some point pepper in this whole holier-than-thou "oh I don't do this for the money."

Maybe I'm just cynical but I can't imagine anyone working that hard, talking about their kids they never see and sacrifice for, and truly making a lot of money, and yet being driven by some unknown X factor. I mean is this just lawyer-speak for, "I'm just cranky right now I didn't go into finance."

Because the grass is always greener.

I mean, I'm sure they do lots of interesting cases/deals and that aspect can partly drive them. That said, change their salary to 50k with no bonuses and, everything else held constant, I doubt many of them would be where they are.

Also, this:

downing wrote:Because the grass is always greener.

NightHooded wrote:I've heard a couple partners mention things similar to the above. They talk about working hard, working all the time, etc. etc. then at some point pepper in this whole holier-than-thou "oh I don't do this for the money."

Maybe I'm just cynical but I can't imagine anyone working that hard, talking about their kids they never see and sacrifice for, and truly making a lot of money, and yet being driven by some unknown X factor. I mean is this just lawyer-speak for, "I'm just cranky right now I didn't go into finance."

Some people actually enjoy their jobs. Some people even enjoy jobs that you think are unenjoyable.

If I was at a major firm, I could easily see myself staying just from the trip of constantly working on deals/cases that are making the papers. And personally, the less time I spent home with the wife and kids (don't worry; I currently have neither), the better.

I personally know both ends of the spectrum. Those that hate their job and in it just for the $ and those who genuinely like their jobs and wouldn't do something else even if it paid more.

There are some people that really like what they do and those are the happy lawyers in my experience.

I know a partner who works about 70 hours a week. Hes always at the firm. I can tell he really likes what he does even though hes constantly stressed. Some people actually like being that busy, it makes them feel good about themselves. Theres nothing wrong with that.

First, I think if you reduce most salaries 90% the people doing those jobs would not do them anymore. Pay typically corresponds to the level of time/stress/skill/risk/responsibility of a job and a 90% reduction would irritate anyone.

Second, i think there are things far worse than choosing a job because you're good at it (which I'll presume most partners are) and it pays well.

Finally, I think the intellectual challenge, rigor and competition might be equally if not more attractive parts of the job.

One partner at a V30 told me:
There are 3 important things about a job; (1) doing something you enjoy, (2) the pay, (3) the lifestyle. You get to choose 2.

Extension_Cord wrote:I know a partner who works about 70 hours a week. Hes always at the firm. I can tell he really likes what he does even though hes constantly stressed. Some people actually like being that busy, it makes them feel good about themselves. Theres nothing wrong with that.

Well put.

downing wrote:

Extension_Cord wrote:I know a partner who works about 70 hours a week. Hes always at the firm. I can tell he really likes what he does even though hes constantly stressed. Some people actually like being that busy, it makes them feel good about themselves. Theres nothing wrong with that.

Well put.

More rewarding than memorizing the restatement of contracts, dontcha think?

kahechsof wrote:One partner at a V30 told me:
There are 3 important things about a job; (1) doing something you enjoy, (2) the pay, (3) the lifestyle. You get to choose 2.

2 + 3 FTW.

With enough pay, 3 will invariably engulf whatever hold ups you might have had about 1. ( or lack of #1)

kahechsof wrote:

downing wrote:

Extension_Cord wrote:I know a partner who works about 70 hours a week. Hes always at the firm. I can tell he really likes what he does even though hes constantly stressed. Some people actually like being that busy, it makes them feel good about themselves. Theres nothing wrong with that.

Well put.

More rewarding than memorizing the restatement of contracts, dontcha think?

180.

downing wrote:

Extension_Cord wrote:I know a partner who works about 70 hours a week. Hes always at the firm. I can tell he really likes what he does even though hes constantly stressed. Some people actually like being that busy, it makes them feel good about themselves. Theres nothing wrong with that.

Well put.

Workaholics die younger.

Remember, money is nice but, you can't take it with you.

introversional wrote:

kahechsof wrote:One partner at a V30 told me:
There are 3 important things about a job; (1) doing something you enjoy, (2) the pay, (3) the lifestyle. You get to choose 2.

2 + 3 FTW.

With enough pay, 3 will invariably engulf whatever hold ups you might have had about 1. ( or lack of #1)

Maybe, but I don't think what they pay associates puts you there.

NightHooded wrote:I've heard a couple partners mention things similar to the above. They talk about working hard, working all the time, etc. etc. then at some point pepper in this whole holier-than-thou "oh I don't do this for the money."

Maybe I'm just cynical but I can't imagine anyone working that hard, talking about their kids they never see and sacrifice for, and truly making a lot of money, and yet being driven by some unknown X factor. I mean is this just lawyer-speak for, "I'm just cranky right now I didn't go into finance."

You're looking at this the wrong way. People who make partner at top firms probably have other doors open along the way. They could probably have gone in-house somewhere and started accruing stock options. If they were doing it for the money they probably would've went for chances at even more money.

As much as it's unclear to law students whether you can make partner somewhere, it starts becoming clearer once you're a mid-level associate. If you're really on partner track then that actually becomes your lower-pay, lower-risk career path eventually. People who make partner and stay partner are there for more than just the money at that point. They're there because they enjoy the work, or at least because they enjoy the relative stability they've accrued, and they'd rather stay put then take another set of risks all over again.

Of course they're doing it to get paid. What they mean is they're not doing it because it was the highest-paying possibility for them. They had other choices, some of which could have paid much better, and they didn't take them.

Oban wrote:

downing wrote:

Extension_Cord wrote:I know a partner who works about 70 hours a week. Hes always at the firm. I can tell he really likes what he does even though hes constantly stressed. Some people actually like being that busy, it makes them feel good about themselves. Theres nothing wrong with that.

Well put.

Workaholics die younger.

Remember, money is nice but, you can't take it with you.

What does dying of heart disease have to do with liking your job? I suppose you could say you have less time to enjoy your employment...