What is a lawyer's schedule like?

Asked by: Mr. Savion Kilback  |  Last update: September 9, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (39 votes)

While it can differ from firm to firm, lawyers may work up to 80 hours per week. 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.

What is a typical work schedule for 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 is the routine of a lawyer?

A day in the life of a lawyer is anything but a nine-to-five routine with an hour or more for a leisurely lunch. Bloomberg View reported that an attorney at a large law firm works anywhere from 50 to 60 hours a week on average. The long hours are the result of the obligations the practice of law imposes on an attorney.

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.

Are lawyers schedules flexible?

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.

Day in the Life of a Corporate Lawyer [The HONEST TRUTH]

31 related questions found

Do lawyers work 9 to 5?

The vast majority of law firms have similar client-facing hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., give or take 30 to 60 minutes on either end.

Can you work 40 hours a week as a lawyer?

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.

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 type of lawyer makes the most money?

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 really work 80 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 are lawyers shifts?

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 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.

Is being a lawyer stressful?

While lawyers might benefit from having an elite reputation and plenty of cash in the bank, it can also be incredibly stressful. Many attorneys grapple with long hours, difficult clients, and ever-increasing demands daily.

How early do lawyers wake up?

Most lawyers work for 50-60 hours per week in the office and some work even outside the office. Their time can start anywhere from 7:30 in the morning to 9 AM, but as we've already said, it depends. Some lawyers have also shared that they work roughly 9-5 and are accessible on weekends.

What is life as a lawyer like?

While not a specific requirement, lawyers often work long hours and can sometimes work in high-stress environments. While some lawyers can manage part-time or 40-hour workweeks, many work nights and weekends to fulfill all their responsibilities and commitments.

What does a lawyers day consist of?

In varying amounts, a day for a civil litigator could include researching legal questions, drafting persuasive arguments, preparing for and taking deposition, preparing for trial and negotiating settlements.

Can lawyers make 300k 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 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.

Can I be a lawyer and have kids?

Lawyers with children experience unique challenges

To say that parenting is hard is an understatement. It's possibly the most challenging job you will ever take on. But add to that a full-time legal career, and the difficulty level elevates substantially. Lawyering, by nature, is seldom a nine-to-five job.

How late in life can you become a lawyer?

It's never too late in life to apply to law school. Although most applicants are under 25, about 1 in 5 are 30 or older and a much smaller proportion are over 40.

Do lawyers get time for themselves?

Lawyer's job demands multi-tasking, but unfortunately, most attorneys find themselves spending far more time working than they'd like, as lawyers spend their time doing a variety of tasks and responsibilities.

What skills does a lawyer need?

Important Qualities
  • Analytical skills. Lawyers interpret the law as it applies to their client's case. ...
  • Communication skills. ...
  • Interpersonal skills. ...
  • Persuasion. ...
  • Problem-solving skills. ...
  • Research skills.

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 you work weekends as a lawyer?

Part of the reason lawyers work such long hours is that they often work on weekends. About 73 percent of lawyers report working outside of the normal Monday to Friday work week.