I’ve been an M&A associate in big law for just under two years. I’m absolutely wiped out, working a bunch of hours but nothing insane (working until 11-midnight 2-3 nights a week, 6pm the rest, maybe 1-3 hours on the weekend). I started off the year in an hours hole and have been chipping away at the deficit.
I hate the feeling of guilt that I eternally have when I’m not billing - I want to be able to have a slow day when I need to without punishing myself for it. Is a $40-50k pay cut worth it if I can move in-house? My coworkers argue that in-house life isn’t better, that the hours are just as long and there’s no bonus potential, however, our bonus isn’t guaranteed at our firm, and I didn’t collect it last year.
I’m wondering if removing the billable hour from my life will save my mental health - thoughts?
EDIT: For context, I’m in a smaller market making just barely less than $200k a year, not NYC.