I’m a junior in a corporate group at a V10. I don’t mind the work but the hours feel like too much for me. I’m on track to bill between 2300-2400, closer to 2400, in 2026. I’ve never taken a vacation. My group doesn’t respect vacation and expects people to work through vacation, so I don’t really see the point. 2400 is not an impressive number at my firm, it’s just seen as expected.
I’ve been criticized for my less than perfect office attendance (four days a week required) so I’ve had to come in more, which has really annoyed me and cuts into my sleep and free time even more. There’s also a lot of late night and weekend work. I’ve had fewer than 10 days this year where I didn’t work at all.
Of the people in my group, there are 5-10 who I really like and would be genuinely sad to leave. Most of them I’m neutral on, leaning positive, a few neutral leaning negative, and about five (associates and partners) I really, really despise.
I have significant debt and need to last probably three more years in big law to pay it off. I’ve been considering lateraling to another firm lower down the vault list for a better lifestyle, but I’m concerned about ending up with the same hours and meaner people. Does my situation sound bad or are these pretty standard big law complaints? Do I suck it up and grind it out for another three years or take a chance on another firm?