"Normal" job in law? Forum

[twenty]

So, this is mostly for a friend, but it kind of applies to me too. My buddy is interested in working 40~ hours a week and having a family to go home to a 5PM. He doesn't care about making biglaw salary, and he'll have no debt when he graduates law school. What legal jobs would facilitate a "normal" lifestyle that way?

[rinkrat19]

Government jobs.

/thread

[twenty]

Okay, going from there, how likely is picking up a non-JAG, non-AUSA government slot? I mean, we're talking regional schools here.

To elaborate, let's say above median at a T1.

[Bildungsroman]

Government jobs.

/thread

There's a reason it's called "Ask a Law Student/Graduate".

OP, to answer your question, I'm working in public interest this summer and my boss (and all the other lawyers) comes in at 9 and is out the door at 5 - 6 every day. Obviously it varies widely and there are plenty of PI jobs that have you working lots of hours, but there are definitely jobs outside of the government that have you working "normal job" hours.

[kalvano]

I worked at a small firm that pays decently and attorneys generally worked 9:00 to 6:00, and maybe a couple-three hours from home on the weekend. Hours were later if trial was coming up, but you know about that well in advance.

[spaceman82]

Government jobs.

/thread

There's a reason it's called "Ask a Law Student/Graduate".

OP, to answer your question, I'm working in public interest this summer and my boss (and all the other lawyers) comes in at 9 and is out the door at 5 - 6 every day. Obviously it varies widely and there are plenty of PI jobs that have you working lots of hours, but there are definitely jobs outside of the government that have you working "normal job" hours.

This is really good to know. Would you be willing to elaborate on what type of public interest law this is, or do you think offices with this approach/lifestyle can be found across the PI spectrum?

[Psib337]

I'm not a law student yet so anyone feel free to correct me if this all sounds like the exception instead of the rule. I work at a small boutique firm and all of our attorneys are here 9-5. I leave a few minutes before 5 and most of the time the attorneys are gone, sometimes the partners are still here when I'm leaving but when they are they're usually on calls or look like they're finishing something up. I think they bring work home (especially the partners) but at least they're home. My parents both had pretty demanding jobs and they almost always brought work home but they were still around for dinner and to help with homework and things like that. That much said I'm sure there are nights when they're at the office all night but from what I've heard those nights are few and far between.

[Grazzhoppa]

what do you mean when you say he doesn´t care about a biglaw salary?

no models and bottles on the side??