2 answers
Rachel
Student
1
Question
Updated
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How can you juggle family/fun life with a work life as a lawyer?
I have heard from multiple attorneys and law students that becoming a lawyer requires extreme time commitments and work. What is the best way to balance this if I hope to have a family?
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2 answers
Jaime Freed
Legal Editor
6
Answers
Northport, New York
Updated
Jaime’s Answer
Hi Rachel!
I totally understand your concern, but rest assured that there are many ways to practice law and be successful, and not all of them require extreme hours. I started my career in big law, and I found the time commitment and expectations to be extreme in my particular practice area at my particular firm, and that wasn’t suitable/desirable for me in the long run, as I also wanted a family life. So I started to look into alternatives, and I worked in law school administration and now as a legal editor, neither of which required anything more than the typical 9-5 (and in some ways were even more flexible). So I left active practice, but I also have a number of practicing attorney friends who still work at firms or companies that allow them to have a work-life balance. And now, there are many more remote/hybrid work options as well.
In addition, as you advance in your career, you generally gain flexibility and control. I know of a partner friend who leaves when he needs to pick up his daughter from school and he continues his work as needed, but on his own schedule/time. So there are options and ways to carve out your career path that works for you.
I hope this is encouraging!
Jaime
I totally understand your concern, but rest assured that there are many ways to practice law and be successful, and not all of them require extreme hours. I started my career in big law, and I found the time commitment and expectations to be extreme in my particular practice area at my particular firm, and that wasn’t suitable/desirable for me in the long run, as I also wanted a family life. So I started to look into alternatives, and I worked in law school administration and now as a legal editor, neither of which required anything more than the typical 9-5 (and in some ways were even more flexible). So I left active practice, but I also have a number of practicing attorney friends who still work at firms or companies that allow them to have a work-life balance. And now, there are many more remote/hybrid work options as well.
In addition, as you advance in your career, you generally gain flexibility and control. I know of a partner friend who leaves when he needs to pick up his daughter from school and he continues his work as needed, but on his own schedule/time. So there are options and ways to carve out your career path that works for you.
I hope this is encouraging!
Jaime
Thank you so much, Jamie! I haven't even thought of other legal/law professions that are not active attorneys!
Rachel
DENNIS BREEN
Lawyer
224
Answers
Cary, North Carolina
Updated
DENNIS’s Answer
Hi Rachel: I practiced law in NYC for 39 years. I tried civil cases as both a defense attorney and plaintiff's attorney. I also wrote countless motions and appeals. I coached little league, soccer and went to every school function. How - decide what is important to you and make the commitment to be there. I use to tell Judges I had a little league game and had to leave. I think only 1 judge objected. I never had one attorney complain. We had a general rule of thumb - family first. We adjourned cases if someone had a paid vacation planned; a graduation; in fact I was reading a friend's post yesterday on Linkedin about an advesary's wife going into labor and all the attorneys agreed to put the case over. The judge was mad but family came first. (thank God for Patti - the clerk in the part)
The juggle is not easy. However it is doable. Will it hurt you? If a partner gets mad because your family is important to you then too bad. You may not advance but your family is more important.
Law is a lot of work. There are late hours when you have a deadline and times when a case is going bad but overall the juggle is well worth it. Oddly, I am still in touch with most of my old bosses and co-workers. Just be yourself and true to what is important to you and it will all work out!
Good luck. I am sure you can handle the juggle!
The juggle is not easy. However it is doable. Will it hurt you? If a partner gets mad because your family is important to you then too bad. You may not advance but your family is more important.
Law is a lot of work. There are late hours when you have a deadline and times when a case is going bad but overall the juggle is well worth it. Oddly, I am still in touch with most of my old bosses and co-workers. Just be yourself and true to what is important to you and it will all work out!
Good luck. I am sure you can handle the juggle!
Thank you so much for your response! It makes me happy to hear that others in your field have a similar consensus and belief that family should come first and I hope to find that balance as you have yourself.
Rachel