The legal profession is famously demanding, often conjuring images of late nights, high stress, and endless workweeks. But how many hours do lawyers really work? For those unfamiliar with the field, it’s easy to imagine that long hours are merely part of the job. But the reality is far more complex, influenced by firm size, sector, billable hour requirements, and personal ambition.
From the notorious grind of Big Law to the more predictable schedules of government attorneys, the hours worked by lawyers span a wide spectrum, with personal and professional trade-offs along the way. In this article, we’ll explore the nuances behind those long hours, the research that paints a clearer picture, and the impact it all has on well-being.
Big Law Firms: The Billable Hour Engine
Working for a top corporate law firm—commonly referred to as Big Law—is a unique experience, characterized by prestige, financial rewards, and relentless hours. According to a 2020 survey from Vault (Vault Survey on Law Firms), lawyers at top-tier firms regularly log 65-80 hours per week. But that’s only part of the story.
The intense workload in Big Law is largely driven by the billable hour system. Most large firms require associates to bill between 2,000 to 2,500 hours annually (NALP: Billable Hour Requirements). However, hitting that target often requires substantially more actual working hours. For every billable hour, associates typically spend 20-30 additional minutes on non-billable tasks, such as client development, administrative work, or internal meetings. This non-billable time inflates the actual time spent working, resulting in an average of 70-80 hours per week.
The demands of these long hours aren’t just about doing the job—they’re often about proving oneself in an ultra-competitive environment. Law360 reported that 71% of respondents in its Lawyer Satisfaction Survey (Law360 Lawyer Survey) described experiencing “very high” or “extremely high” levels of job-related stress, with many working weekends or holidays to meet deadlines. In Big Law, the line between personal life and professional duty often becomes blurred, with many associates feeling tethered to their work even when out of the office.
Despite the financial rewards, these extended workweeks come with consequences. A study published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine (Addiction Medicine Study on Lawyer Well-Being) found that nearly 21% of lawyers met criteria for problematic alcohol use, a rate nearly twice that of other highly educated professionals. This same study highlighted that 28% of lawyers exhibited symptoms of depression, while 19% reported significant anxiety.
Mid-Size and Boutique Firms: The Illusion of Balance
It’s easy to assume that working for a smaller, boutique law firm or a mid-sized practice offers a better work-life balance. And while these environments may offer some relief from the grueling schedules of Big Law, the demands remain high. Lawyers in mid-size firms often work around 50-60 hours per week, according to the Clio Legal Trends Report (Clio 2022 Legal Trends Report), although this number can spike during periods of heavy client activity or trial preparation.
One of the primary differences between these firms and Big Law is the nature of the client relationships. Mid-size firms generally work with a smaller, more specialized client base, which often results in closer attorney-client interactions. While this can be rewarding, it also means lawyers in these firms are often on-call for their clients’ needs, adding unpredictability to their schedules. Many attorneys in boutique firms handle every aspect of their cases, from strategy and research to client communication and court appearances, leaving little time to breathe between cases.
In some instances, lawyers in these firms enjoy a slightly more flexible schedule, particularly if the firm culture supports work-life balance initiatives. However, a survey by the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS) (IAALS: Lawyer Satisfaction Study), found that even in smaller firms, lawyers still struggle with maintaining clear boundaries between work and personal life. Long hours remain a hallmark of the profession, albeit less extreme than in the upper echelons of corporate law.
Solo Practitioners: Autonomy at a Price
At first glance, solo practitioners would appear to have the most control over their work schedules. However, while they may have more freedom, this autonomy often comes with heightened financial and personal risks. Solo attorneys often work 50-70 hours per week, with wide fluctuations depending on their caseload, client needs, and business operations.
A significant portion of a solo attorney’s time is consumed by non-legal work. According to the 2021 ABA Legal Technology Survey Report (ABA Legal Technology Report), nearly 70% of solo practitioners handle all administrative duties, from billing to marketing to maintaining client relations. This multitasking adds complexity to their workweek, often resulting in unpredictable spikes in workload.
Income volatility also plays a role in shaping the schedules of solo lawyers. During slow periods, solos may have a relatively manageable workload. But when business picks up, they often feel pressured to take on more clients to maintain financial stability, leading to erratic work patterns.
Government Lawyers and Public Defenders: Steady Hours, Unique Pressures
For lawyers in government roles—whether as public defenders, prosecutors, or agency lawyers—the hours are typically more predictable. Most government attorneys work 40-50 hours per week, with exceptions during legislative sessions or when handling a heavy caseload. Public defenders, in particular, face significant challenges in managing their workloads. According to a Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) report (BJS: Public Defender Workload), public defenders often juggle more than 100 cases at any given time, leading to time pressures that can push them to work beyond their scheduled hours.
Although government lawyers generally have more predictable schedules than their private-sector counterparts, they also face distinct challenges, including understaffing, limited resources, and bureaucratic delays. These constraints can result in frustration and stress, even when the actual hours worked are lower than those in private practice.
In-House Counsel: The Coveted Corporate Role
In-house counsel positions are often seen as the ideal landing spot for lawyers who want a better work-life balance. According to the 2022 Thomson Reuters Legal Department Operations Index (Thomson Reuters Report), in-house counsel typically work 45-50 hours per week, with less pressure to meet billable hour requirements.
While in-house lawyers often have more predictable workdays, they are still subject to spikes in workload, particularly during mergers, acquisitions, or internal investigations. During these periods, their hours may increase significantly. Despite these occasional surges, in-house counsel report higher job satisfaction and a better work-life balance compared to their law firm peers. However, the stakes are still high—especially when internal legal crises arise. In such situations, in-house attorneys can find themselves working long hours under intense pressure.
FAQs
1. Do all lawyers have to meet billable hour requirements?
No, only lawyers in private practice, especially those in large or mid-sized firms, are typically required to meet annual billable hour targets. In-house lawyers, government attorneys, and solo practitioners are generally not subject to billable hours but still face heavy workloads.
2. What is the average number of hours a lawyer works per week?
The average workweek for a lawyer depends on their sector. Lawyers in Big Law often work 65-80 hours per week, while those in mid-sized firms work 50-60 hours per week. Solo practitioners and government lawyers usually work around 40-50 hours per week, though this can fluctuate.
3. What causes lawyer burnout?
Burnout in the legal profession is often caused by long hours, high stress, and the pressure to meet billable hour targets or juggle multiple cases simultaneously. Additionally, lawyers frequently struggle with maintaining boundaries between work and personal life.
4. Is working in Big Law worth the hours?
For some, the financial rewards and prestige of Big Law are worth the long hours. However, the personal toll—on mental health, relationships, and overall well-being—often leads many lawyers to leave Big Law after a few years for more balanced roles.
5. Can lawyers maintain a work-life balance?
Work-life balance is challenging for many lawyers, particularly those in private practice. However, government positions, in-house counsel roles, and some smaller firms can offer more manageable hours and a better balance between professional and personal life.
6. Are lawyers compensated fairly for their hours?
Lawyers, especially in Big Law, are often compensated handsomely for their time, with starting salaries at top firms reaching six figures. However, many argue that the financial compensation does not always make up for the long hours, stress, and personal sacrifices involved.
**7. Do lawyers really work on weekends
and holidays?**
Yes, many lawyers, particularly in high-pressure environments like Big Law or during litigation, often work weekends and holidays to meet deadlines, prepare for trials, or respond to urgent client matters.
Conclusion
The number of hours a lawyer works each week varies widely depending on the sector, but the profession as a whole is known for its demanding schedule. Lawyers in Big Law often work 65-80 hours per week, driven by billable hour requirements and client demands, while those in smaller firms, solo practices, or government roles may work more manageable, though still substantial, hours. Regardless of the specific workload, the profession requires significant time, energy, and dedication—often blurring the lines between personal and professional life.
