Can you work 40 hours a week as a lawyer?

Asked by: Alverta Wiegand  |  Last update: April 30, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (25 votes)

Although most lawyers have a regular 40-hour week, a significant percentage of them work more frequently. The average weekly work hours for various types of lawyers are: Lawyers working for large firms: 66 hours per week. Lawyers working for small and medium-sized firms: 42-54 hours per week.

How many hours per week do lawyers work?

If you work at a smaller law firm, you'll probably wind up working between 45 and 55 hours a week. And if you work at a larger firm, you'll probably be required to work between 65 and 80 hours a week. It may also come as no surprise that young lawyers tend to work more hours than their older colleagues.

Do lawyers make $400 an hour?

Depending on their level of experience and the complexity of the case, attorneys charge between $100 and $400 per hour.

Does a lawyer have flexible hours?

The unpredictable nature of legal work, especially in areas like criminal defense or family law, means lawyers must be available at a moment's notice, making flexible and often lengthy work hours necessary to manage cases and maintain client satisfaction effectively.

Can lawyers work 4 days a week?

i work at a small firm and honestly we probably could function mostly remotely but most of the attorneys still come in 4-5 days a week.

Can a salaried employee refuse to work over 40 hours per week? Can they refuse overtime?

45 related questions found

Do lawyers get Sundays off?

Many people wonder if lawyers work on weekends. The answer is yes, many lawyers do work on weekends. This often depends on the type of law they practice and the demands of their cases and clients. Lawyers in certain fields such as criminal defense often find themselves needing to work outside of regular business hours.

What type of lawyer is the highest paid?

Patent Attorney Salary

Patent attorneys are the highest-paid type of lawyers, with an average salary of $185,351, ranging from $119,88 to $285,530. Various factors contribute to a patent attorney's average salary, including experience, firm, location, and subject matter expertise.

Do lawyers work 9 5?

During the week, many attorneys work additional hours outside of the traditional 9-to-5 business day. The 2022 Legal Trends Report provides deeper insights into lawyer working hours: 86% of lawyers work outside of the typical work day (beginning between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. and ending between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.).

Can a lawyer work from home?

For the most part, yes—it's entirely possible to work from anywhere as a lawyer. Many lawyers and law firms around the world are already operating on a fully or partially remote basis. Depending on your practice area, you may still need to go to court or meet clients in person, which does impact your remote work plans.

How to have work-life balance in law?

  1. Work-life balance is a process, not a goal.
  2. Think about your personal and professional goals.
  3. Build a work schedule that works for you.
  4. Take care of yourself to manage stress and anxiety.
  5. Set up your workspace for success.
  6. Use legal technology to save time and automate tedious tasks.

Do lawyers make 200k a year?

The median starting salary is $215,000 in 11 cities and geographic areas. They are Austin, Texas; Boston; Chicago; Dallas; Houston; Los Angeles/Orange County, California; New York City; San Diego; San Francisco; Silicon Valley in California; and the Washington, D.C., area.

Do lawyers make 500k a year?

Well, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for attorneys in the US is just over $125,000. The highest-paid lawyers (10% of the legal workforce) make over $208,000 However, the top 1% of attorneys make $500,000 or more per year.

What are retainer fees?

A retainer fee is a payment made to a professional, often a lawyer, by a client for future services. Retainer fees do not guarantee an outcome or final product. Portions of retainer fees can be refunded if services cost less than initially planned.

Do lawyers have time for family?

According to the National Association for Law Placement, more than 70 percent of those surveyed reported having a significant problem finding time for family and leisure, as well as personal and health needs.

What field of law is most in demand?

Which Legal Fields Are in Demand?
  • Intellectual property law. ...
  • Family law. ...
  • Immigration & naturalization law. ...
  • Real estate law. ...
  • Contract management. ...
  • Compliance. ...
  • Labor and employment. ...
  • Corporate transactions. Also known as mergers and acquisitions, or M&A, this work navigates the buying and selling of companies and their assets.

Do lawyers get days off?

Lawyers are typically given a certain number of days or weeks of vacation time each year. This time is generally set aside to allow them to travel and relax away from work. However, many lawyers also take on additional work during their vacation time in order to make extra money.

Do lawyers work on weekends?

In general, most lawyers work on weekends. You serve the needs of your clients as a lawyer in the professional services sector. Attorneys are required to meet deadlines that do not always match their schedules.

What is the easiest area of law to practice?

What Is the Easiest Area of Law to Practice? Estate planning is commonly considered the easiest to practice because it isn't as competitive as other areas of law. Estate planning also provides a sense of flexibility that other practice areas lack.

Can lawyers work for their own family?

If the lawyer is an expert in the field and the work doesn't entail any issues that might affect their family, it's generally alright to represent their family as a client.

Do lawyers make 6 figures?

In general, the five highest-paying states for lawyers are as follows: California ($201,530) Massachusetts ($196,230) New York ($188,900)

Do lawyers work crazy hours?

In most cases, yes. All lawyers, regardless of firm size or practice area, may be called upon to work long hours for a particular case. For some, working an excess of 40 hours in a work week is consistent. Law firms can be competitive, rewarding those who put in the most time.

Which area of law is least stressful?

Real estate law, estate planning law, and intellectual property law are commonly cited as the least stressful types of law to practice.

Can lawyers make 300k a year?

More experienced lawyers, those with 11-15 years of experience, earn notably more. Of those in practice 11-15 years, 35% earn between $200,000-$249,999, and 18% reported earning $250,000-$299,999.

What is the highest paying job in the world?

Topping the list, being a CEO gets you the highest paying job in the world, no matter where you work. A CEO is the highest-ranked position in any organisation's structure. Irrespective of the company's size, a CEO handles all its day-to-day corporate affairs, manages resources and handles all managerial processes.

What type of law is the richest?

  • Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyer. One reason IP lawyers are some of the highest-paid types of lawyers is that they require very specialized knowledge in distinct fields. ...
  • Tax Attorneys. Tax codes are complex. ...
  • Trial Attorney. ...
  • Medical Lawyer. ...
  • Patent Attorney. ...
  • Corporate Lawyer. ...
  • Real Estate Lawyer. ...
  • Family Lawyer.