Family-friendly places for lawyers?

[Anonymous]

I'm interested in hearing from lawyers who feel that their jobs are family-friendly. Where do you work? Are you in a legal or non-legal position? What makes your job family-friendly? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I have a very family-friendly job. I'm a lawyer and work in-house for a large company doing transactional and corporate work. I telecommute about 80% of the time and flex my hours whenever I need to - but sometimes I go to the office just because it's a nice break from the solitude of home. I can do laundry, let in workers, walk the dog, and eat lunch in my kitchen whenever I want. I greet my kids when they get home from school, have a snack with them, and catch up. I often start dinner in the late afternoon if I need to. And I get almost 6 weeks of paid time off.

I love my job.

[Anonymous]

Another in house lawyer. World's most laid back boss. Lots of control over my schedule.

[Anonymous]

In-house at an established non-profit. I have flexible hours, can work from home. Work can be demanding (in-house still means you have clients) but as long as I have my iphone, I am good. Can do work in evenings and leave early to pick up the kids. Round the clock nature of the work means that people don't blink when you offer to do calls at 8pm (after kids are asleep) rather than 5pm.

[Anonymous]

Another in house. Not much flexibility in terms of hours, but not expected to put in more than about 75 over two weeks. Lots of vacation and sick leave and can always take off for kid stuff.

[Anonymous]

Interesting that there are a lot of in-house lawyers on here. Is that typically considered a more "family friendly" lifestyle? How about government agencies?

[Anonymous]

DH also in-house, fairly junior, feel very lucky. Great benefits, reasonable hours, interesting work.

The lack of billable hours / timesheets makes a huge difference.

[Anonymous]

Mu husband is a lawyer at IRS. He has a great boss, seems flexible, work from home options and he is home by 6pm every night.

[Anonymous]

"Interesting that there are a lot of in-house lawyers on here. Is that typically considered a more "family friendly" lifestyle? How about government agencies?"

It just depends. I have a friend who is in house whose GC requires them to be at the office from 8 am to 6 pm - she has an afterschool nanny because she can't get off early enough to do pick up, and her DH does more around the house, though she gets paid very well and has great benefits. And many in house jobs require keeping time.

[Anonymous]

In-house at a national nonprofit. I am the only lawyer. Very flexible.

[Anonymous]

I was in house and it was family friendly in the sense that it was just 40 hr/week but you had to be at your desk whenever you were supposed to be working.

Now at an agency and it's more flexible in terms of working at home (but you do need to take leave for every dr. appt etc).

[Anonymous]

Family friendly at a government agency doing regulatory work (so not many deadlines). 40 hours a week and can ce in early or late. One work from home day per week.

[Anonymous]

PT for the state gov't. Incredibly family friendly.

[Anonymous]

General Counsel for a start-up. My dog and baby can come to work with me every day. I can wear jeans to work. Love.It.

[Anonymous]

Have to ask. Are those with these wonderful jobs Ivy grads?