NY Firms with Reasonable Hours?
Hi all, I’m feeling quite frustrated at my current firm. To put it simply, I’ve been stuck on an extremely understaffed case and have racked up around 300 billable hours over the past four months. Unfortunately, this case isn’t expected to conclude until late next year, and I just can’t keep going like this.
I’m looking for recommendations for firms in New York that pay at or near Cravath scale (a bit lower is okay if it’s a good fit) and have strong antitrust or appellate practices. Ideally, I’d like to find a place where associates enjoy their work-life balance and typically bill around 200 hours (or fewer) each month.
Prestige doesn’t matter to me—I just want to improve my quality of life. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
One Response
I’m sorry to hear that you’re feeling overwhelmed at your current firm. It’s important to prioritize your well-being and find a sustainable work-life balance. Here are a few firms in New York that are known for a more reasonable workload and tend to maintain a more positive culture, while also handling antitrust or appellate work:
Paul Hastings – They have a strong regulatory and antitrust practice and are known for being more manageable in terms of hours.
Hogan Lovells – This firm offers a good work-life balance and has reputable antitrust and appellate groups.
Gibson Dunn – While they can be busy, some associates report better hours compared to larger firms and have both antitrust and appellate practices.
Sidley Austin – Known for a supportive culture and reasonable hours, they have a solid antitrust group.
Ropes & Gray – They have a strong appellate practice and are generally regarded as being more accommodating to associates’ needs.
It might also be helpful to reach out to current or former associates at these firms to get a better sense of the work environment and expectations. Good luck with your search for a better fit!