Serious question on what vacation means in the BigLaw world

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

News flash life is not about who could work the hardest and take the least amount of vacations or be “on call“ during their vacation. Life is about living. When you’re taking your last breath‘s of this life the last thing you will not regret is not working enough. Let’s all start to have some respect for our own real lives and give ourselves permission to really live and take the damn vacation unplugged. We are not machines. The emails and phone calls are not life or death. We are not doctors. Find coverage. And go. Trust your coverage. The world of law will still be there when you arrive. The partner will survive. Remember he makes five times more than you so he’ll be just fine.

like

I usually wouldn’t reply to this because I agree with the concept and hate the idea of slaving away at a job at the expense of traveling, and just living life. But I’ll give the devil’s advocate counter because I gave a somewhat pro-biglaw response earlier.

They’re paying me $400k/yr before my 32nd birthday, and it’s more because I agreed to be available all the time than because I’m a genius. It’s a short term trade off I’ve made to buy future freedom. Responding to emails on vacation allows me to travel to the coolest places on earth today, and it will allow me to retire at age 38 if I want. More realistically I will retire in my late 40s and have more money than I know what to do with.

Of course I could work 30 hours/week today and live the hell out of my life. But I did that pre-law school and right now I value security more than I value not responding to emails in Spain. I view the occasional vacation check-in as my end of the bargain. Not trying to suck the corporate teet too much, but I have a great life and I’m good with the construct.

likehelpful

I’m at a V5, litigation 3rd year. Every vacation I’ve taken has been completely respected and I haven’t had to work. I’ve taken 1, 2 week vacations. And even took a month for my wedding/honeymoon. Not only has no one ever said a word to me disapprovingly, but I’ve been encouraged by my supervisors (senior associates and partners alike) to take vacation and to not be bothered. That said, I always check my email when I’m on vacation, and I’m above pace by 200 hours this year despite taking ~2 months worth of vacation this year, so I work a lot and have developed good rapport with my supervisors.

like
Recent IconRecent

I’m a 2nd year working in litigation and haven’t taken more than two days off in a row since I’ve started working. I think the lack of a long vacation is mostly due to the fact that I have had to take one random Friday off many times during the past year and a half to attend weddings...had ten weddings this past year! I’m taking my first big vacation this summer, ironically to attend a wedding in Scotland. I know I’ll be able to make up the hours before year end , but do worry about being gone for longer than a week. I’m planning to have my laptop with me and logon once or twice a day to check in.

Partners, how often do you expect to hear from your associate when she is in a different time zone and on vacation?

Related Posts

Partners - Do you ever take vacations?

I have been at my current firm for about 1.5 years, and in that entire time the partner in my group hasn't been out of the office a single time. Is that normal? I can't tell if it's standard for big law partners to not take time off, if the dynamics for my group may be different (only 1 partner in the entire group), or it the partner I work with is just a masochist.

like

I love when coworkers say “Enjoy your PTO, it’s so well deserved.” Like what? It’s in my offer letter and part of my compensation, I’m entitled to it. We all are.

likefunnysmart

Favorite vacation spot ?

Does hsbc have Christmas shutdown like most firms? Or is everyone working through the holiday season

like

You’re either not valuable to your company and/or your job isnt that important if you’re able to take PTO and not at least send some e-mails.

funnylikesmarthelpful

Hey everyone, would 12/23 afternoon not a bad time for holiday travels? Booking for a flight for my parents from overseas to LAX ,trying to avoid crazy busy afternoon.

Who else skipped the holiday party at your office? Some of you fuckers are the last thing I wanna see after spending all day dealing with your bullshit.

like

Currently in industry at 135k salary, poor healthcare, amazing wlb, a month of parental leave, work is okay.

Considering data science roles at :
return to Deloitte aim for SC in GPS
trying out EY GPS aim for SC
Gov job range is 100-120k and would need to negotiate up pto otherwise I’d for sure decline

-any perspectives appreciated

like

does booking sick date or vacation impact utilization?

like

What's the longest vacation you've taken and where did you go? Thinking about capitalizing on my unlimited PTO and want some ideas.

like
like

Since we're headed towards cold weather and the holiday season, let's talk about how we can take care of ourselves during the fall/winter and beyond. For example, I'm buying a sun lamp because it's about to be 50 degrees and raining for 6 months 🤦🏻‍♀️.

likeupliftinghelpful

After freelancing for years and doing well, would you consider a full time job? It's really hard to give up the flexibility of freelance, but... also hard to give up having a 401k match again. Salary would be similar to freelance money, but less time off. Thoughts?

like

What's going on this weekend? Any fun holiday shops or pop-up bars I could check out?

like

Does Oracle have holiday shutdown?

likehelpful

Hi all, I’ve been taking 15mg XR in the morning and 15mg IR as needed in the afternoon for about 2 years now and it’s helped a lot, however, when I take time off I just feel so lethargic. I’ve read about people taking Wellbutrin as well. Anyone have experiences with this? I meditate and exercise as well, but I just lack energy and almost feel like the same things don’t make me happy when I’m not on my medication.

like

Anyone frustrated by needing to take vacation days off for Jewish holidays?

like

What are some easy to make, low stress holiday meals for a school holiday staff party? I was "volunteered" by our principal to set it up this year (🙄). I'm making decorated sugar cookies but kind of drawing a blank when it comes to savory dishes. Bonus points if you have any adult holiday themed games or fun drinks to suggest! It's off school property and there will be a bar (thank god), for context.

like
like

More Posts

Recruiter reached out to me saying they wanted to setup a call to give me an update post my round 1 interview. What are the odds of a reject?

like

Hai Infosys people i have given the interview within 4 months but my joining date is after 3 montha so total 7 will they release offer please suggest

like
like

Hi fishes, Need help!!!!! Is gratuity deduction mandatory in Infosys from salary, if yes if leave the organisation after 1 year, are we eligible to receive the paid amount? Or only after 4 years we will receive? How one can opt out of gratuity???? Please suggest!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Infosys Infosys Limited

like

I am working at ZS on an MDM project for a pharma company
I plan to leave zs in next 6 month
I have 2 questions
What companies can I target ?
How should I prepare ?

like

Hi, There are many SAP job openings in Accenture. In case anyone wants to be referred, please ping me.

Post Photo
like

We just said goodbye to a 23 year old who died of COVID. Young people are not protected from this, important to remember

likehelpful

How's the data analytics work in PwC LLC Advisory?

like

Hi everyone

Can someone please help me understand hierarchy at BNY Perishing. Where does a Grade J stands?

like

My mom received an Oculus for Christmas and loves Beat Saber. Does anyone have other game recommendations I can share with her?

likeuplifting

Hello fish, I’m wanting to move from London to Singapore at Manager level in operating model design. Anybody have any recommendations of companies (aside Big4) that are sponsoring visas at the moment, or good international recruitment agencies? Seems highly network driven from what I’ve seen.

Anybody here at Barclays Corporate Banking in NYC? Need advice and numbers..

like

Any pros and cons on either getting the capital one venture card or a credit card with United. I want to start traveling more and mostly fly with United since it has a lot of flights out of my nearest airport. Debating on which one would be better.

like

How much does gsap actually help for m7 applications? Is it a flag if you’re not sponsored from Deloitte?

like

YOE - 3 yrs
Earlier roles Customer service, Startup founder, Project Manager.

Now got role as Associate Product Manager in a farm tech startup.

Is good to join and after working here for 1 year is it possible to move to bigger MNC like Capgemini or Infosys or Any big player

3 YOE but worked in 4 companies.
Current salary: 5 LPA

ANY ADVICE WILL BE HELPFUL.
IM JUST BLANK.

My leaves are very less.

Is it worth sacrifice being away from parents without option to see them for months..I'm single

like

Hi,
is 11LPA for a 2+ YoE in data science and analytics good.
The package is for a business analytics role.

I want to go on the journey of becoming data science so is it a good step or i need to find something better??

like

Runners! Any run clubs that meet up in Midtown? Or nearby?

like

Any downside to holding some funds from my Roth IRA in my vanguard federal money market fund until I can buy the dip? I’ve hit my max contribution limit for 2020 by having a few thousand hanging out in there until I’m ready to buy. I can buy with those funds after 2020 contribution deadline right?

Hi sharks,
I am appearing for the interview process at Nagarro for the position of senior front-end developer (ReactJS). I have cleared the IQ & coding round as well as the first tech interview.

Could someone please help me with what I can expect and study for the second technical round for position of senior front-end developer (ReactJS?

Also, please help me get 11 likes so that I can DM some of you :(

Thanks in advance :)

like

Copywriters: I’m going on maternity leave and we just posted a role for contract, 5 months. If you’re interested, DM me. You’d be working on products & product marketing. (Austin UA connected Fitness)

likehelpful

Additional Posts in Law

honest question: why does everyone hate Lewis Brisbois?

likefunny

I’m at a mid size transactional firm. I’m a total night owl and my partners have OK’d me starting the workday at around 11am because I regularly work until midnight or later. I get so much more done after dark! I still get some side eye from other associates, but 🤷🏽‍♀️

Does anyone else here have an unusual work schedule? Curious what adjustments you’ve made to make it work.

likehelpful

What’s the best way to get out of small law? I am a junior partner and don’t want to be running a law firm by myself in 5-10 years. The mid-level partners are not business-savvy so I don’t see myself wanting to partner with them either. I want to move to a larger firm.

like

Do you regret going to law school?
If you didn’t have any student loans from it, would that change your answer?
What would tell someone entertaining the idea of law school, knowing what you know now?

likehelpful

Anyone here work in-house and sit in an open office environment? I sit next to accounts receivable and some marketing folks and can’t focus even with earplugs in. Any advice would help.

like

Litigators that transitioned to M&A/PE early on in their career, how did you do it? I have an educational finance background, but no work experience in that area (just some general business consulting) & trying to get my foot in the door…

like

Bankruptcy folks: I read that Alex Jones was able to put himself into bankruptcy by claiming he owed a giant debt to a company he controls. Is it really that easy? I would have thought bankruptcy laws would be smarter than that.

like

Idk, maybe it’s time we bring these engineers and techs down. If my 🧠 links to a 💻 , all of my non-billable work will come to light. 😤

Post Photo
like

Here to restate the understated truth of our profession..

Post Photo
likesmartuplifting

I am a consumer debt collection attorney at a major regional firm specializing in that field. Ask me anything about my job.

like

Is 150 billable hours per month little/average/a lot?

like

Is an attorney affirmation mandatory for a bill of particulars to affirmative defenses?

like

How often do you respond to emails from law students who want to learn about your firm/practice area? I get like a dozen requests right around OCI every year. Frankly I’m tired of speaking to them and answering the same boring questions, especially if I know they have a low GPA and no chance of summering at my firm, but I do feel bad saying no/ignoring them

like

Is anyone following the sale of Liverpool FC? My boyfriend mentioned it to me and whilst I’m not a football fanatic although can loosely follow the game, it has sparked some curiosity from a transactional pov.

like

Dumb question: If a firm wants to run a conflicts, do you just type up a list or do you request from current firm?

like

My local Safeway is already stocking Valentine's Day chocolates. What would they do without holiday candy to sell? Is this their main purpose? I wonder what they do in off season (if that exists)

likefunny

Anyone have any knowledge of in house for Farmers insurance? That car stipend is tempting alone.

like

HIPAA special enrollment extension: does this apply to major medical, dental, vision, health FSA? Thanks!

like

Anyone do employment contract law in Florida? My girlfriend urgently needs a consult on on enforceability / potential damages for breach of a clause in her employment agreement that requires her to give 30 days notice.
Main question regarding damages is whether company could tax her the cost of replacing her with an hourly consultant since she would be leaving during a critical business time (corporate tax filing season).

like

I’m sending close out emails and don’t want to be disingenuous. What do you say when it was NOT a pleasure working with someone? Looking for ideas on how to close out the message.

TIA

like

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

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

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