Day In My Life As A Corporate Lawyer - THE HONEST TRUTH (Working Weekends)
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- Опубліковано 20 гру 2022
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Honest truth: working at the weekend sucks - as a student I got pretty used to studying at weekends, but then having massively long holidays to look forward to. But now I’m a corporate lawyer, I don’t get those amazing holidays, so working weekends on top of long hours during the week is pretty brutal 🤕 I realise there are tons of people who have to work at weekends, and get paid much less than I do, so I’m not at all calling for violins to be taken out… but I do want to share some of the realities of being a corporate lawyer - and the reality is that weekend work has to happen sometimes 🤯
So, in this video I share a busy Sunday in my life as a corporate lawyer working on an M&A deal, as well as the habits I’ve built to recover after a super busy week at work 😴
Plus, as it’s nearly Christmas, there is a touch of festive cheer to make you smile… and if you’re watching this in August, what took you so long!? 🤣😝
I appreciate you!
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About Me
I'm a lawyer, part-time UA-camr, son, brother, startup founder, fiancé, black coffee drinker and plant dad. I graduated from Cambridge University (where I studied French and Spanish), topped my law school class and now work for a corporate law firm in London as a trainee solicitor (which takes up a lot of my time)!
Around that, I'm a big fan of discovering new ways of thinking, of balancing work with life, and of performing to the very best of my ability. Ohh, and being happy. And I try to share all that on this UA-cam channel 😀
Fun fact: I believe we massively overplay the role of “natural talent” 😮 AND… I also believe that TOGETHER, WE ARE ALL CAPABLE OF POSITIVITY, PRODUCTIVITY AND SUCCESS.
📸 Instagram - / liam.porritt
🌍 My little kingdom - liamporritt.com
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Disclaimer:
Information, views and opinions depicted in this video are my own. Information visible on screens or in documents does not relate to my work as a lawyer for clients.
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When I was your age, this felt exciting. Like it was normal to give up your weekends, and change your plans at the last minute. In my 30s it felt normal to not see my kids during the week, to not attend their school events, or to tell my wife I wouldn’t be home for dinner (again). I’m so glad I’m now in my 40s and old and wise enough to know this isn’t my path to happiness and fulfilment. I burnt myself out and the world happened around me, I was only semi-consciously participating in it. I maybe haven’t fulfilled my potential, but I couldn’t be happier, and neither could my kids to have their dad around, physically and mentally. Listen to your body and mind and know when to get out. Some people live for this stuff, many are destroyed by it. Wish you only the best, Liam. I find your vlogs really interesting. Have a great Christmas and best wishes for 2023.
true, so true
deep
Why not teach Spanish and French at Eton or one of the other lovely schools in England? It will improve your quality of life and that of your fiancé (and future family). Your Trinity College (Cambridge) modern languages degree will stand you in good stead
Very relatable and understandable. I'm very grateful I learned this at the age of 27.
^The above. I also worked in an high intensity M&A and, when you get to mid-level, you never end up having less than 40 billable hours weeks (when not working over the weekend), worst I had was 80hrs (you essentially have 3-4hrs free a day weekend included) and the stress and lack of sleep was so intense that I had become irritable, snappy and losing more hair than the usual normal loss. I had a massive realisation because I looked at the people in front of me and wondered whether I wanted their life, and the answer was 'no' so that company had nothing to offer me other than non attractive prospects and a burn-out. I changed firm, doing something else and I have found way more equilibrium. We will see how it goes from there :). All this to say: be mindful, stop from time to time to remove the blindfold of habit and take a step back to question your existence. That is a sane approach to life.
Relatable and insightful. I’ve always wondered about the time tracking. I feel like everyone is sick right now. I’m happy to see the realistic side of things too. Hope you feel better soon!
Really interesting video as ever Liam. When you said you sometimes worked weekends I envisaged you working all hours Saturday and Sunday, so I'm glad for your sake that you can have breaks 8n between work to unwind! Hope you enjoy your weekends off and your Christmas break!
These are my favourite type of videos 🙌🏻 Hope to see more day in the life in 2023! 🎉
I love the genuine and honesty you put here!!
As an aspiring lawyer at 22 years of age, your dedication to your work inspires me. I can't thank you enough for showing me what being a corporate lawyer is actually going to look like
Thanks for the video, Liam!
Great video. Keep up the good work.
Ive always loved your vlogs the most 😊
If you don't mind it and it feels right to work this much I see no issue with it. Also, if at the end it will get you the job you dream of or the promotion then its worth it. Keep doing what feels right and at the end you always will be the winner (for yourself). Great you sharing this side as well. Working in consulting myself, but your jobs seems even more crazy working hours.
I have never worked quite so bad hours but I have had to go into work when up every hour or two sometimes for 2 hours at a time with babies (had first one as a trainee, 2nd one when 1 year PQE etc.... and that certainly makes things even harder as you cannot necessarily sleep when you get into bed. Anyway it was all worth it and you tend to reap the rewards later.
Phenomenal video friend. Q: can you make a video about community. As an ambitious career person you are, how do you maintain a social life. That’s something I struggle with in maintaining an active social community. It’s so easy to become isolated when working hard towards your passions .
Liam - you have a great career and should only be proud. I love your videos because these are a great cautionary tale of what being a corporate lawyer is like. However, job status and money does have true socio-economic impact and this job gives you that. I think people are foolish if they don’t think there are positives to that as well.
I really think lawyers should stop glamorising working on weekends (not saying you are), and start demanding additional pay during the weekends!!!!! None of this “it *may* be reflected in by your bonus”, guaranteed extra pay!!
But at the same time, commercial law firms pay their lawyers a lot so maybe a better policy is that they give staff an additional half holiday for working one day in the weekend!
Not always. I think it is an incorrect perception that lawyers get paid a lot. At junior levels, that is most definitely not true, but watching Liam work so many hours even as a trainee just makes me glad that most of my work (in IP) isn't quite as time critical as the matters on which Liam works.
I think people need to stop trying to make things comfortable for themselves when they make choices. People like Liam take the time to understand the opportunity costs and measure it to see if it benefits them in the long run. Most of the time people want to work heavily in their 20s to retire early but that is indoctrinating themselves to be miserable for their whole 20s, become slaves and developed mental problems such as thinking working hard and going above and beyond is a bad thing. No one can modify hard work because that is part of life and will always be for the rest of our lifetime. I get your point but guess what, corporations are more powerful than you and will not abide to your wants and needs because they have power. Instead work for corporations to gain experience and leave after two years or so. Start your own practice or work for another company that you may end up liking because we need mentors to teach us. If people keep leaving before, they level up, no one is going to be able to teach anyone the skills they need. Instead, robots will replace the weak in our society and the entire globe.
NQs in London will be on £110 -£160 at least. They're compensated enough to not need overtime.
What is odd, is that I was doing the same kind of work about 20 years ago and, technology aside, it’s not changed. Endless markups and re-circulating of SPA, disclosure letter etc, just you have the benefit of better IT so no hand mark-ups ands faxes! Hope it’s completed though. Do they still do the wee tombstones? I have a box of them in in my loft somewhere…
Big up SAS rogue heros, merry christmas :)
great video
Liam, could you please make a video about your journey starting menos and/or entrepreneurship in general?
What were the challenges you faced or the challenges you’re currently facing with running this business? Also, how were you able to design, find a manufacturer, etc
And how have you been able to find the time to run it alongside such a demanding career?
I feel like a video like this would be super helpful for those of us that are interested in starting our own brands as well!!
Thanks Liam, really good insight. This way of working (and amount!) is all well and good when you are in your 20s and childless but how on earth do your colleagues who have young children possibly work this much and to these tight deadlines?
Weekend Work - Whatever it Takes
please make a video on your journey to becoming a corporate lawyer
This is brutal, I couldn’t do it
All I could think of is that he didn’t brushed his teeth when he woke up!! 😂
What do you look for when you are trying to intern or gain experience with a corporate lawyer?
It’s interesting watching this as someone who did 6 years in a top tier firm in Australia.
I still remember and am drawn to the adrenaline rush of working on a deal or big case with your colleagues at the same level, however (in my view) it’s not sustainable as you get older and have more responsibilities outside of work, including kids, older parents, etc.
The business model used to be that you worked (say) 4-5 years as an associate and were then made partner, which made the long hours worth it.
This was coupled with the massive expansion (and amalgamation) of corporate law firms in the early 90s which means that currently there are hordes of partners who won’t be retiring that soon.
Having said all that, I will always value my time there, and in some ways I think that the long hours gave me 2x the experience just through the sheer amount of work.
Hi Liam, I would like to know if you were applying to other firms before you found out that you were being offered an Associate position at your current firm?
Sp nice! Is that a T480 thinkpad that you use? It seems so thin.. Which model is it and do you like it as a business laptop?
Life's to short to give up your weekends.
Very glad I left law school.
Looks a boring life bar for a paycheck
Working weekends helps meet OTT chargeable hours targets. You got a degree in Spanish and French from Cambridge Uni. Go and teach those subjects at one of our lovely public schools and get your quality of life back.
Or he can do whatever he wants, which seemingly isn’t teaching French and Spanish.
@@lewisbulled6764 You”re right, though I would prefer to be a teacher of languages than a corporate lawyer - Spanish and French were two of my A-Levels. My degree was in Law.
Few more years of these long hours you'll soon get sick of it lad. lol
Do you think the work and compensation of a London corporate (especially transactional, M&A) lawyer allows you to even nearly satisfy Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?
Wow this video makes me feel so claustrophobic…is it really worth the money??
I find it quite mental that you have to work on weekends... can't the clients just wait until Monday ? I had work experience in Wealth Management and I never had to work on weekends. Please watch yourself, you look hella tired mate !
It is quite normal to work at the weekends due to client deadlines. I try only to do work I choose at weekends, but I am quite old so tend to get to control my work more than in my 20s
Worked so hard fo my LSAT and Penn admission now wondering if still want this...
Did you end up going to law school?
@@goldberry369 Yes i start this fall but i'm going to UVA instead :)
Dear Liam, will you be doing Q&A soon? all the best
i'd for sure go full time on youtube/ecommerce if i was Liam
Without being a lawyer he would not have much to blog/vlog/post about. I's not like he's a fitness model dropping out of school i fyou know what i mean.
Does Clifford chance do year 12 work experience
Why is there so much hate on this video haha. It’s just work. Everybody acting like working weekends is the end of the world. Different strokes for different folks.
He might end up having a stroke if he keeps up those hours
Does the company pay extra for weekend work or weekday overtime?
No, you are just expected to do it if you hope to climb the corporate ladder in that kind of company
None. The hope of being a partner and a good wage on the way is regarded as enough.
I thought that you were an associate not a trainee
Some people are just not cut out for this type of life. It takes courage to get up every day and go to work. A lot of guts to give up things because it takes determination to push through life and see what results you get in the end. It's better to die trying then being afraid and hiding. Truth is we are always afraid, but we have to control it in order to use it like fire to burn others. Being rich is not a bad thing either or I should say just because a man is rich does not mean he can get into heaven. A rich man can be giving and forgiving while also having luxury. If they are wise, they don't care if they have to start again from square one. But our values should be strong enough to always carry us through the storm. We end up on top again.
Mike Ross?
One way path to being a workaholic. Get out of the rat race while you still can Liam. No need to bust a gut at work - find the best paying job you can for the least effort, to save your social life and relationships before it’s too late.
People live and die anyway, what you imagine the things accomplished and lifestyle you chase for is meaningful actually are not that meaningful in the nature, dont force yourself to live in the eyes of others and the so-called values which are created by the others and the society.
This is like a vision of hell. I don't care how much you're getting paid. You get one shot at being young. Feel sorry for the guy. He's happy to just have a short walk on a Saturday. Prisoners get more time to enjoy in the exercise yard.
I know, it's a real shame because I like the idea of working in law, the work just seems interesting, but the man is literally selling his soul to the boss. It's little things like decorating your tree with your girl that are the simplest enjoyments of life, and he can't even do that... I'm not sure if I want to go into law anymore
go into law- there are plenty of firms where you might not earn the huge money, but have more of a life. I did what he did, worked for Clifford Chance in London. Made huge money, but look back and lost all of my 20s and 30s. For what?@@MCart1215
Being a lawyer sounds wretched and a terrible life choice.
This is so boring but your gain is so big
why u look like that
like what...
@@MCart1215 old