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Fed jobs, and some in-house roles that are true “back office” roles (i.e., not deal driven) with a relatively big legal team (so you can just cruise as an overhead from time to time). Seen some of these roles with friends at F500 companies and some non-FAANG tech companies.
In-house! Be very transparent in your job search and open to new fields and you can find great opportunities at smaller companies.
Probably local and state government. The attorneys at the court I’m current at seem to get in around 9 and always leave by 4/5. The judges and law clerks tend to be there the latest.
Suggestion to budget out life with a kid/kids so you know your salary minimum if taking a paycut. I explored some options at smaller firms but couldn’t make the salary work with two kids in daycare and older parents with minimal retirement savings. Everyone’s situation is different but better to be prepared!
I recently went in house and have a straight 40 hour work week. I have a work phone but don’t look at it outside of work hours and haven’t had to do anything outside of work hours yet.
Maybe consider moving to a different market. I’m big law and work 8-5:30, and then an hour or two after the kids go to bed IF needed. If I do any weekend work it’s in the mornings before my kids wake up. My group is busy but understands that at this particular time in my life I can’t work ridiculous hours.
When you say different market like practice area? City? etc? If you don’t mind me asking, are you lit or Corp?
Curious as well. Seems like in house is a crap shoot
I purposefully chose a boutique litigation firm with the promise I would only need to bill 120-160 hours. I billed 200+ last month and on track for the same this month.
The only job that I had a 9-5 was as an AUSA in a “secondary” office in that district. I know folks at SDNY work crazy, but this wasn’t the case in my humble little abode.
Not me but a friend works as a lawyer for the social security administration in Seattle. Low six figures, 9-5
A lot of in house gigs are 9-5, but it’s often hard to know which ones are like this before you make the move.
In-house - including without taking much of a pay cut (or, in my case, a pay bump as going into PE). It won’t be a 9-5 (and I wouldn’t make WLB the cornerstone of any application) but will be close (with an occasional call outside those hours - with external counsel being left to do the drafting at the end). The issue is that you’re probably a bit more junior than most will want - but you could get something in a start-up or v small fund.
If you are in California there are mid sized firms with billables closer to 1600-1800 that pay 75% of what big law pays and I go in at 9 and leave at 6 everyday with an hour lunch. Partners coach soccer and log off early. There are places with a lifestyle focus.
Thanks A4, here I am working again on a Sunday!
My job at big 4 was pretty much 9-5
@associate1 how easy was it to lateral from Big4? Is that a common move from your vantage point?