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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I am totally confused.  All these threads on DCUM about how Big Law associates work a million hours a week, and therefore can't do any kind of help at home, and you were averaging under 60 hours a week as an associate, and even less now?

Is this really typical?  So, the people whining about how their Big Law spouses are never home, where are those people?

I always assumed it was more like 4,000 a year based on what I read here.  I am flabbergasted.
[/quote]

60 x 50 weeks (assume 2 weeks vacation) is 3k hours per year.  OPs DH is doing 2800 hours per year (2k billable) which is pretty close to 60 hours per week. [/quote]

But 60 hours a week isn't an insane workload like people make Big Law out to be.  Especially given that a Big Law associate can afford to live close in so they don't have a terrible commute, does some of that work from home and can flex around family responsibilities, and gets to work sitting down.

I always assumed from the whining that Big Law associates were working 80 - 90  hour weeks.  60 is a pretty common work week.[/quote]

It really is not. 60 hours a week on average is way more than most people do. Only a small percentage of people in finance, consulting, or senior executives put in these kind of hours, and they all tend to be very well compensated.

I have worked for government and in the private sector and rarely come across people who regularly have to do those kind of hours.[/quote]

You are comparing big law to other overpaid cushy jobs.

I am comparing it to the jobs my family has.  Law enforcement, education, working in the trades etc . . .

[/quote]

This. Lots of boring hours but it’s pretty cushy. And it pays well, right, OP? Not complaining about the compensation. Three kids in private? Nice, big house?

Most of the world works harder for a lot less. He could change jobs and you could manage on 30% less. But that 30% is really nice, isn’t it?
[/quote]

+1 I don't have a lot of patience with big law whiners or their spouses. I am also an attorney. There are jobs that pay a living wage and require fewer hours. We don't drive new cars, renovate our house, take fancy vacations, or spend money without paying attention, but we have a great life and I see my kids. Life is full of choices. [/quote]

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