Is there more work-life balance in transactional practice than in litigation?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Hard to say when discussing this broadly, I would say generally, transactional can be more predictable and it is easier to build work life balance into a predictable practice.

like

Generally, I would say it's not. Only specialists have some predictability. Even then, specialists could be on 30 deals at a time and be swamped.

like

I’m transactional and the work-life balance is not there (I’m sure my partners would disagree). While litigators can spend months on just one case or a handful of cases, I’ve got about 10+projects active, clients always bring us in later than they should, and closing timelines change unexpectedly (every client wants them done tomorrow and you can’t blame anyone like a court scheduler if you can’t get the work done in time). Sometimes that means multiple closings in 1 week or worse. I’ve had 3 closings in a single day twice this year.

likesmart

I think it depends on the type of litigation. Our litigators handle 50-70 cases at one time. I’ve filed 4 30 page briefs in 8 days, working 14ish hours a day, and that happens frequently during the year. I have zero work life balance.

like

I’d actually say the opposite is true. I find litigators work more hours but have a more predictable schedule. Transactional attorneys on the other hand bill “less” hours but have more unpredictability built into their schedules. Things can be slow mon-thurs and suddenly a client wants something in two days. Or you have a vacation planned 6 months in advance but a deal is closing the week you were supposed to be out.

like

Agree. I also find our transitional attorneys are so beholden to clients that they take calls at all hours or respond to emails through the evening. I don’t and I think most of our litigators keep a more 9 to 5 communication practice with clients. Unless in trial or last portion of prep for trial or something equally urgent then all bets off and 24 hours per day.

like

I think the typical attorney response is appropriate here - it depends. Certain areas of litigation are more hectic than others. Trial prep sucks balls and takes up a ton of time. I’m in family law and we often have to file emergency motions because of custody BS, and I’m sometimes scheduled for more than one motion hearing or pre trial conference on a given day. Other areas of civil litigation don’t deal with that type of chaos. My public defender friends are constantly stressing. Then again, closing 3 deals in a day does not sound enjoyable. So, it depends.

like

In summation, WLB tough to find on both sides. Sucks either way.

like

Transactional at least has pretty firm client closing deal dates, etc with less juggling of courtroom trial dates, depos, and whatnot. But transactional definitely has the “fire deals” drop everything and go type situations. In those situations it’s unpredictable. But in terms of the deadlines it’s more predictable and can plan around I think.

As a commercial litigator, I’d say the transactional folks likely have a better work-life balance (aside from the M&A folks who always seem like they’re drowning—at my firm, at least). In litigation, all it takes is for someone to file an OSC on a Friday to ruin your weekend or a premature SJ Motion out of nowhere to force you to change your schedules for everything else. In litigation, you have to be able to easily adapt, pivot, and switch gears depending on OC’s next move and the court’s handling/scheduling of a case. There will be a lull in each case at some point, but that’s when the rest of your cases will start exploding. Of course this is all highly contingent on the type of litigation and/or transactional work. For instance, at my firm, the T&E folks—both litigators and transactional attorneys—seem to have the best balance I’ve ever seen.

I think it depends on the practice group in transactional. From trying out a few as a junior M&A and finance can be bad for work life balance while asset management, tax, employment, most specialty groups all seem better

Related Posts

Any logo designers here? I’m building a website for a friends music group (classical, pop, jazz genres) and they’re in search of a designer to create their logo (they’d pay up to $900).

Anyone interested?

like

Has anyone switched from Adderall to Vyvanse? Any thoughts on effectiveness or side effects of either over the other? Thanks!

like

Hello, what should be the average CTC for a Campus Recruitment Manager with 10+ years of relevant experience. Tier 2 city. Tier 1 IT Company. Pls help.

like

Happy Sunday Bengalureans,

I'm planning to go for an international trip to Europe. If you too are planning for the same, DM me.

like

MBB folks, I’m a Product Manager (non-tech company) and interested in working at MBB.

Which level/role does MBB can offer me ?

like

Does anyone work for Children’s medical center of Dallas on this form ? I know we recently had a “employee appreciation” bonus last month before Thanksgiving but not sure if that counts as one whole holiday bonus including Christmas , or it it’s safe to expect another in mid December ? What seems to be the latter in the past ? Any thoughts are appreciated !

like

Would anyone from Newsela be able to give me a referral for a couple of positions? Happy to connect to provide more info on my background ☺️

Anyone have issues completing AT while working? Ever been on a mission for 30 days or more? How did your managers take it?

If I may ask. How are y’all networking so far? Every book I’ve read talks about offering help or a win win situation. Do you just stay connected to college friends? Do you take the time to write good linked in posts ? Have seen much success?

like

Can anyone tell me how much time RBC bgv takes? I have a RBC offer and its been 8 days that bgv is inprogress....Only 4 days are left for my RBC joining... what to do???

like

Any thoughts on Orrick LA culture?

like

Any headhunter suggestions for going in-house?

like

Hi everyone! Welcome to the Club Advisors bowl. Please share your questions, concerns, stories, and advice here for the other fellow advisors!

like

Anyone else having issues booking nights with Marriott rewards? Nothing seems available anywhere for June

like

How do you calculate what tax bracket you will be at when you retire? Keep reading choose the option based of what tax bracket you will be at retirement but I literally have no clue

like

Looking for a Mechanical Engineer and Automation Engineer both entry-level!

like

Hello All, I have applied for an open position in Ralph Lauren however, I have not yet received any call for the interview. Can someone please help? I need some reference to join. 5.5 years experience in SCOM Administration. Looking for technical growth after maternity break.

When it’s slow, do mid levels and seniors start hoarding the work? Feel like all our juniors are looking for work, and the upper levels say they’re slow but looking at office pace someone is lying.

like

Additional Posts in Law

I use ring central but people keep saying they're having trouble hearing me when I'm on my the mobile app. On the computer it's fine. Does anyone have suggestions? Any better service provider?

like

I hear a lot about people saying they'd like to go into banking. But most of the time it seems like they really mean PE, which seems like a long shot to me

like

New Associate at small plaintiff’s employment law firm NYC If my goal is to work for a defense firm in the same field, how fast should I be going for the door? Or is it safe to stay and get exp first

likehelpful

I’ve been in house my entire career (6 years) and I am thinking about transferring to big law. I feel the experience would sharpen key skills and compensation wise would work out better. Has anyone made this transition before? Is it too late?

like

For small firms - What was your billable rate in 2015 and what is it today in 2022. Please provide your practice area too, if possible!

like

Any loopholes to prevent Westlaw from logging out every 5 minutes? That’s not enough time to get all my tears out before going back to my 20 Westlaw tabs

like

Summer Associate Programs: Should law schools have a summer semester and law firms do the summer program in the fall? Please discuss.

like

Anyone ever read OC’s brief and then stare at your reply brief for an hour wondering what in the world you got yourself into?

likefunny

My firm has a collections budget (80% of your billable rate x 1850 hours) and an hourly budget that must be met in order to be eligible for a bonus. The firm cares very little about originations and will reward someone for making their collections over someone who brings in new work. I missed my collection budget due to some odd timing with a client, but originated more than all my peers so no bonus for me. I’ve been at this same mid level firm for 9 years and it’s all I know. Is this normal??

like

Looking to find a recruiter to work with to help with my job search. Any suggestions? In the Nashville area if it matters. Thanks!!

like

Any entertainment lawyers out there? What’s your day-to-day like? Do you like the work? I’m a tax attorney (7yrs) in LA looking for a change and thinking of switching practice areas. I want to make sure this isn’t a grass is greener situation...

like

Tips for starting a new job in the virtual environment?

likehelpful

Any other humble public servants here? How’s life?

like

Does anyone else hate weekends? Like let’s pretend we don’t have work to do so we can please our family & kids but meanwhile our anxiety is brewing inside? I’m never more relieved than to sit on my computer on Monday morning.

likefunny

Men: what are must have dress shoe colors and type? I have a black Oxford and light brown derby. Would love to diversify

like

Any suggestions on starting to learn the basics of commercial contract work when it’s totally outside of your practice area but desired for certain in-house positions? Will CLEs help prove my interest?

like

6th year litigation associate here. Every recruiter tries to scare me into thinking I’m unhireable after next year. Who has lateraled as an 8+ year, where to, and how long till you got promoted after?

like

Just cleared conflicts for a big law firm so I can officially leave my toxic mid-size insurance defense firm. I’m planning to give notice Friday, but should I get the start date first? The recruiter said they’d like me to start 11/15. And I seriously want to give notice soooooo bad. I’m so excited to leave that I literally cannot think straight 😂

like

Anyone hearing any crazy bar exam stories?

like

How do you interview for a new position without alerting your current firm that you are looking to leave?

likehelpful

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal