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Anonymous
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Is it just me or does it seem like every other post on here is from some "big law" mom either working too much or not enough, has a husband working too much or not enough, can't figure out what to do about their nanny-daycare-stay at home situation, or how to get three carseats in the back of an suv? why is this particular line of work making life so difficult for everyone?
i guess my point is that if i see the phrase 'big law' one more time I am going to gouge my eyes out. |
Anonymous
| I think it's the same mom. I've never heard that phrase before - and I work in law profession. Or maybe I'm just not in "BIG law" - little law is so much less demanding. |
Anonymous
| No, it's a real phrase, and it describes a real work environment. But like you, I like "little law" a lot better. |
Anonymous
| I guess it's not that demanding if they have time in the middle of the day post all these complaints. |
Anonymous
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I'm ready to gouge my eyes out at another SAHM post......and I'm a SAHM.
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Anonymous
| No, this wasn't a SAHM post, this was a Big Law (capital B, capital L) post. |
Anonymous
| I know that. I was simply saying, like the Big Law posts, there are innumerable SAHM posts just recycling the same material and snarks in different ways. Got it, now? |
Anonymous
| First, if big law posts bother you so much then don't read them. Second, as a big law mother these posts have been very helpful to me as I try to figure out my own path. And isn't that was this is all about? |
Anonymous
Yikes! I was trying to be funny. So testy.... |
Anonymous
Yeah, wonder if this is billable time? I think most of them are bragging about being in BL and then complaining about how hard they have to work. Are we supposed to ve envious or fel sorry for them? |
Anonymous
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I’m not sure whether OP was being serious or sarcastic. Assuming s/he was serious . . . .
Why so many posts about BigLaw? It's a matter of numbers. The big firms in town employ a ton of lawyers, both male and female. Many have children, so they look to this board for advice, information and support. Just like you, I assume. What is about the profession that makes life so difficult? Here’s an example: imagine two months of 80+ hour work weeks, including emergency all-nighters and full weekends at the office. Most assignments are given under need-it-yesterday time pressure, and much of the work is time consuming and painfully tedious. Then the deal closes or the case finally settles and you suddenly have very little work to do. The matter is dead, other matters in the office are fully staffed and you've got nothing. But instead of relaxing and enjoying the slow time by leaving early to see your family, you're worried sick that your low billable hours are putting a target on your back for the next round of layoffs. You have friends who've been out of work for 6 months or more, so you know it's not easy to find a new job. You’re afraid to leave the office early so you keep spinning your wheels, anxiously looking for more work that just isn't there. On top of that, many of your colleagues are absolute a$$holes. And they’re proud of it. The more senior lawyers (and many clients, too) abuse your time and good will because they can. They don't think twice about calling you with an emergency rush assignment at 7 pm, just as you're trying to head out the door. It's just part of the job. Some get off on being verbally abusive. Others are actually kind and compassionate, but they tend to be in the minority and are often over-leveraged and stressed out themselves. As for your peers, most are extremely competitive with you, either overtly or covertly. You have few people to confide in, $50k-$100k+ of law school debt, and possibly a stay at home spouse and family who are completely dependent on your income. It’s a lot. Of course, lawyers at big firms do not have a monopoly on any of these things -- stressful and demanding jobs, lousy colleagues or the burden of educational debt. But that doesn't make it any easier or more fun. So DCUM is an outlet and also a much needed source of advice and support. If you can relate to these issues – which again, are not limited to BigLaw – read the posts. If not, please move along. Sincerely, A Former "BigLaw" Lawyer |
Anonymous
| Re 14:41. Who in their right mind would put themselves through this hell on earth? We have too many lawyers anyway. This is a career choice? Sounds Faustian to me at best. |
Anonymous
| 14:45 - Not many of us realized quite the bargain that 14:41 discusses - plus, most of us thought, apparently incorrectly, that it was a "safe" choice, i.e. we could get out anytime we wanted to go work in-house, government or boutique because we had a brand-name law firm on our resume. With the collapse of the economy that is not true at all, and our colleagues and ourselves are getting laid off regularly - there are billable hours requirements with not enough work to go around, and surly,testy colleagues due to the stress of not knowing about the stability of a job, which is particularly galling to persons who chose a path due to its perceived safety. |
Anonymous
| OP- I ventured over to Off-Topic to post this exact same question. I'm so sick of hearing about BIGLAW. Barf. |
Anonymous
| Why are people constantly dismissing posts or multiple threads as having been written by one person? It's getting really annoying. |