What is it like being a Corporate Lawyer?

[ji]

I'm looking at my prospects post university and I've come across a scheme that looks very promising and leads to a career at Linklaters.

However, virtually everything I have searched about corporate law has simply come up with educational information and stuff about the salary. What I would like to know is what the hours of the job are typically like. I understand having to work late when a case gets to a close and whatnot, but what about an average working week. With that in mind, would it be possible to successfully manage a career in law and a happy home life? I don't mind working from home but I would like to know it's possible to have friends and family outside of my job. Furthermore, how much free time would I expect to have?

Thankyou in advance =).

[adelphos]

Perks like "a life" and "free time" come with seniority. It's a very hierarchical environment and at the beginning you're pulling in crazy hours on cases that Partners toss over to you. As long as you take care of those though, you're pretty good and you can get some decent time off on weekends. The main thing is, you always gotta be ready to drop whatever personal thing you're doing to take care of work...I have friends doing it and their "9-5" days is typically 8am-11pm. A couple of times a week they're at the office until 2am.

In short, if personal time really really matters to you think about a different career...or just think of the paycheque ;)

[teyrnon72]

Working for the man. Maybe you'll get a shiny car. Look at the pretty shiny shiny thing.