A survey conducted among trainees and junior lawyers at American law firms’ offices in London reveals that they work up to 13 hours a day, nearly double the average work week in the U.K.
This intensive schedule is accompanied by a lifestyle involving frequent Deliveroo dinners and handling calls at unconventional hours, including days off, according to comments from an anonymous employee to Legal Cheek, a legal news outlet that surveyed 2,000 individuals working across law firms in London.
Another anonymous respondent noted that they had not seen sunlight for three months. A further participant indicated that although their vacation time was respected, there was an ongoing expectation to respond to work calls.
The demanding work hours, reminiscent of portrayals in shows like Suits, seem to hold some truth about how law firms operate with their new staff. Despite the hallmarks of a potentially undesirable work culture, such extensive working hours in law firms are rewarded with substantial pay. For example, starting salaries at top firms exceed £170,000, which is nearly five times the U.K.’s median income in 2023.
American law firms with London practices such as Kirkland and Ellis, and Paul Hastings, offer £172,000 in starting salaries, expecting an average of 12 to 13 working hours daily, according to The Times. By comparison, British firms typically require slightly fewer hours, capping starting salaries at £150,000.
It’s important to note that not all firms in the industry enforce such long hours in exchange for a high salary. Some firms listed in Legal Cheek’s survey limit the workday to approximately nine hours for newly qualified solicitors.
This remains notably longer than the average workweek in the U.K., which is 36.6 hours or 7.3 hours a day.
Law firms frequently use billable hours as a performance metric for their lawyers. In some firms, these hours can total up to 2,000 annually. Generally, American firms demand a higher number of billable hours compared to those in Britain.
However, this model is contentious amid pressure for transparency and efficiency. Lawyers argue for possibly more efficient working methods that could eliminate the need for a billable hours structure tied to pay. The rise of AI in public consciousness is beginning to influence changes within the legal profession.
Despite these changes, hiring remains robust at the top level. London’s leading law firms recruited partners at a rapid pace in 2024, spurred by American firms’ competition for talent in the British capital.
The significant appeal for new talent at U.S.-based firms lies in their relatively higher pay compared to British firms. Prestigious law firms are reconsidering their compensation structures for partners in response to intensifying competition.
According to a report by recruiting firm Edward Gibson in July, the influence of New York-based firms on the London legal services market at its highest levels in a short period has been significant.
This article was originally published on Fortune.com on November 5, 2024.