Beyond Billable Hours - Preventing Burnout

However, these high salaries come with a heavy price: gruelling 70-hour work weeks, immense pressure, and the sacrifice of personal time, holidays, and often their mental well-being.

According to research cited in The Times*, junior lawyers at these firms frequently work over 13 hours a day, with weekends often absorbed into their demanding schedules. 

While British “magic circle” firms may not match the salaries of their American counterparts, their expectations are increasingly similar, with junior solicitors regularly logging 60-hour weeks. The result is a legal culture where young professionals face burnout, stress, and a dwindling social life, all in pursuit of financial rewards that leave little room for personal fulfilment. 

However, it doesn’t have to be this way. There are other options for lawyers, law firms, and companies that offer a healthier balance between professional success and personal well-being. This demanding way of working isn’t confined solely to US or Magic Circle firms—many lawyers face similar challenges across the industry. 

You have a choice, and we are here to help. Feel free to contact us for more information on opportunities that provide a different, more sustainable path for your legal career. There are also professional coaches who have supported numerous lawyers in navigating these challenges, and we’d be happy to recommend individuals to you. 

Read the Times article for yourself here https://www.thetimes.com/article/d2940ae6-6344-40c9-be64-2fa397716017?shareToken=c547ae1bbdbeb09b08f99cdfc9d938ff