PT-LawMom

4 Responses to “Cuddly Law Firms”

1. new duck Says:
   January 27th, 2008 at 12:10 pm

   Ha. I have a friend who works at Weil in NY and he was at work until 11:30 last night (Saturday, mind you). He’s new there and says, “Well, it’s just because we’re doing a deal.” With my ten years of NY firm experience, I cruelly burst his bubble and informed him that the “deal” never ends. Ever. Then this morning I sent him the Belkin article. I’m such a beeyotch.

2. zuska Says:
   January 27th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

   Oh, that is not fair. I worked for three months at my firm leaving at 5 almost daily, doing little to no work on the weekends, and going to the gym mid-day. Yes, in January we had a brief to file and the hours were up - but I left past 5:30 a grand total of 4 times during that month - doing most of my extra hours at home, with much respect paid by co-workers to my other responsibilities. On my team was a part-time associate (80% time) who also was accommodated and respected fully.

   Once I finished the projects that kept me busy, I had a very slow week, where I could easily arrive at 10 and leave at 4 and not be missed AT ALL.

   I think that every occupation has busy times, and most people who have work that they enjoy and are invested in end up working more in some times than in others.

   And because of the flexibility as to when and were I could do my work during my high-hour month - it did not interfere with my family’s daily life.

   I am actually not looking for a straight 9-5 from a law firm. I’m looking for flexibility and respect. I’m looking for a place where a partner does not expect to see me at my desk when he walks by, just for the sake of it. If there’s a deadline, and there’s work to do - I WANT to contribute as much as I can. I want to be an instrumental part of the team. I want people to recognize that my being home and engaged with my family from 6-9 does not get in the way of that - that the deadlines will still get met, and the work will still get done.

3. ptlawmom Says:
   January 27th, 2008 at 12:21 pm

   I should have put a or a at the end of the post, Z. I was just kidding. Your firm truly does appear to have given you what it said it would in terms of balance. And most, if not all, of the MILS read your blog and know that and, therefore, should know I was kidding. Note to self: no blogging while on codeine-laced cough syrup. Doesn’t make me a funny girl!

4. Kady Says:
   January 29th, 2008 at 4:43 pm

   Zuska, I heart your schedule. Things very quiet in my firm right now, stupid market, so I’m getting a taste of that. But where corporate work goes down, litigation picks up. Or so I’m told.

   Firms and life/balance. HA! I’ll believe it when I see it.

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