How many hours a week do government lawyers work?
Asked by: Frances Hammes | Last update: October 8, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (17 votes)
The average work hours for different types of lawyers are: Large firms: 66 hours per week. Small- and medium-sized firms: 42-54 hours per week. Government agencies: 40 hours per week.
How many hours do government lawyers work?
— Federal Government Agency Attorney
Regulatory lawyers work a regular number of hours but rarely need to work more than 40 hours a week. At the federal level, they are paid based on their seniority and position, meaning they only need to work enough hours to finish their cases and meet their deadlines.
How many hours a week do most 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 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.).
What are the average working hours for a lawyer UK?
Your choice of whether to pursue a career as a barrister or a solicitor may affect your working week. Solicitors usually work from 9 am to 5 pm and have the weekends off. In contrast, barristers are often self-employed, which may involve a lot of flexible hours and extra time for research and preparation.
How Many Hours Does An Attorney Work? - CountyOffice.org
What lawyers work 40 hours a week?
- Large firms: 66 hours per week.
- Small- and medium-sized firms: 42-54 hours per week.
- Government agencies: 40 hours per week.
How many hours a week is a law degree UK?
Studying law at university
Average hours for this subject: 12 (Low 9 - High 16). Average hours for all subjects: 14. The time you'll spend in lectures and seminars each week will vary from university to university, so use this as a guide.
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 get weekends off?
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. They are being compensated for being available for their clients' issues full-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 you work 40 hours as a lawyer?
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.
What field of law is most 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 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.
Do lawyers work 100 hours a week?
According to surveys, most lawyers work between 50 and 80 hours per week, far exceeding the standard 40-hour workweek. For those in Big Law or high-pressure specialties such as corporate litigation or mergers and acquisitions, the hours can be even longer, especially during critical periods of a case or deal.
How long does it take to become a government lawyer?
A Juris Doctor (JD) degree usually takes around 3 years of full-time study, though some programs can offer a part-time program that takes 4-5 years. When taking courses at law school, you can specifically look for classes that may teach you about working for the government or your particular specialty.
What type of lawyer gets paid most?
Corporate and tax lawyers tend to be the highest earners, with patent and IP lawyers not far behind. Trial lawyers also pull down a lot of money, particularly in the civil litigation field.
Can lawyers work 4 days a week?
Can lawyers work a 4 day week? The legal profession is often associated with non-stop work. It is an industry involving a great deal of stress. However, in fact pretty much any kind of white-collar work can be arranged this way, provided you are well-organized and communicate clearly with clients.
Do lawyers ever get a day off?
What is the typical PTO policy for law firms? Lawyers do not get a typical PTO policy as seen in large corporations. Instead, the lawyer's years in a firm–as well as their attorneyship rank–will determine how many days of vacation time they receive each year.
What time do lawyers start their day?
The time lawyers start work varies depending on their firm, practice area, and workload, but many typically begin their day between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM.
Can a lawyer make 500k a year?
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay for lawyers in 2022 was $135,740, with only the top 1% surpassing the $500,000 mark. So, what sets apart that elite 1%? The secret lies in their mastery of marketing!
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.
Can a lawyer be a millionaire?
Regions that are financial and business hubs, like New York, California, and Washington D.C., boast a significant portion of the lawyer millionaire demographic.
Is an Oxford law degree worth it?
Many Oxford Law graduates go on to successful careers practising law outside England and Wales. The Oxford Law courses naturally focus on English law, but the fundamental principles of English common law play a key role in other jurisdictions.
How fast can you finish a law degree?
As a law student, you can expect to spend at least three years in law school. Full-time students typically complete their studies within three years, while part-time students take up to five years. Graduating from law school is an impressive achievement for many aspiring lawyers.
Is the UCL law hard to get into?
UCL is renowned as one of the best universities in the world, especially for its faculty of Law. The Complete University Guide ranks UCL as the 2nd university in the UK for Law (2025). Not only is it competitive to gain a place at UCL, but the Law course is especially difficult to get into.