<p>to even mention a 9-5 day when talking about being a lawyer at a law firm and the idea of “unpaid overtime” seriously misrepresents the nature of a lawyers working hours. do not even think about 9-5 as a norm or concept in the context of life at a law firm. lawyers don’t think of themselves as working “overtime” - paid or unpaid. they do the work that is necessary in the time that is necessary – its not "over"time – its the work time - period. its not something extra – its what is expected and what you need to do. its part of the definition of the job.</p>
<p>a lawyer who isn’t working the long hours has a lot more to worry about than the size of any bonus.</p>