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Aspiring lawyers expect to work longer hours, says survey

22 April 2010 | By Corinne McPartland

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Would-be lawyers are expecting to work far longer hours than they would have done before the global financial crisis, a new survey has revealed.

According to the survey published by cvmail 15.3 per cent of graduates applying for legal roles expect to work over 55 hours a week in 2010, an increase of over a quarter from 12.6 per cent in 2009.

Over a third of students (35.2 per cent) now expect to work over 50 hours a week or 10 hours a day for law firms (the EU Working Hours Directive, which trainees are expected to opt out of, limits this to 48 hours).

University of Warwick law student Chrissy Vassiliou said: “The competition is so high now to even get a training contract that when you secure one you have to expect to work hard and prove your worth once you’re in the door.”

But the prospect of spiralling course fees, tough competition for training contracts and now long hours spent chained to your desk if you are lucky enough to secure a job is putting some students off.

Law student Grace Salmern, who is studying at Queen Mary, University of London, said that the legal profession is starting to look like a grim career choice.

“Students are no longer looking at law as a fun, exciting and rewarding career but something that is extremely hard to get into with very little reward once you get there,” she argued.

But it seems the legal profession has not lost all of its appeal for students after university admissions statistics revealed that more students than ever before have applied to study law courses.

The figures published by admissions service UCAS showed that no fewer than 83,000 students applied to university or college to study law this year, an overall increase of 5.6 per cent since 2009 (see story).

The cvmail research also revealed that in their desperation to secure employment, many graduates are losing interest in employers’ policies on issues such as the environment and focusing instead on more traditional subjects such as a firm’s reputation for longer-term career opportunities.

Only 6.2 per cent of law students surveyed listed corporate social responsibility as the most important factor in selecting a law firm, while over 21 per cent of graduates listed training and career opportunities as the most important factor.

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Readers' comments (9)

  • Anonymous | 22-Apr-2010 1:49 pm

    Why does the lawyer always ask students at non-elite law faculties for quotes? If the aim is to gauge the opinion of a London law student, why not ask Claire from UCL?

    The student's comment underlines the reason why far too many people are applying for law: they think it is a "fun", "exciting" career based on watching American sitcoms without any real appreciation for what law is really like in reality. Furthermore I take issue with the notion that law provides "very little reward once you get there" - it still pays an awful lot more than other careers. Perhaps a quote from an actual lawyer would have been more illustrative.

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  • Max | 22-Apr-2010 3:02 pm

    I think in the opinion of the vast majority Warwick and QMUL are 'elite' law schools but that is a debate for another day.

    The point is when law students say it is 'fun', they are not referring to the 'fun' they see on sitcoms rather the fun of being in a stimulating career. Its no lie that the legal profession is a joke nowadays with so much competition and long hours, I wouldn't be surprised if the generation below me opted for a different career, certainly my kids will not be following this path.

    As a prospective barrister, long hours is something I have to face and I am prepared to face it, not because I want to but because pupillage is so hard to get by, I will do anything to get it. But it inevitably it means where you gain one thing, you lose another. In our case as law students, it tends to be family and friends. No one could say working 50-60 hours a week will not cause you to sacrifice time for loved ones.

    There needs to be radical changes in the culture of law firms and chambers, otherwise the profession is going to keep constricting and many bright talents will pursue a different path.

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  • Anonymous | 22-Apr-2010 3:28 pm

    What difference does it make if someone comments from a "non elite" university? It is just a general comment from a law student.

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  • Anonymous | 23-Apr-2010 10:13 pm

    To be honest I myself is starting university this september to study LLB Law, I believe you have to do your reserach before making a career decision.

    I've done a lot of reserach into training contracts etc, most of the firms especially in the city look for ABB at A level and a 2:1 at degree, so its not that hard to get a trainign contract you just hav to have the plus points so you stand out.

    I've already been offered a position at the firm where I'm undertaking voluntary work with a senior solicitor, so I guess you just have to show enthusiasm when you get into through the door.

    Also most firms allow you to be flexible, I mean if you want to cut down your hours to fit in with your family commitments you can do at the same time, so the idea of working long hours doesn't apply to everyone unless they choose to do the long hours themselves.

    Once you secure a training contract most of the firms tend to retain most of thier employees, so who ever wants to go and pursue a career in law don't get put off by what people say, just do the reserach, and surely you won't be dissapointed!!

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  • Realist | 26-Apr-2010 2:03 pm

    Re: Anonymous | 23-Apr-2010 10:13 pm

    Are you some sort of belated April Fool?

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  • Anonymous | 27-Apr-2010 9:20 pm

    Why don't you also look at houw Lawyers have been treated in the donwturn... see comments at http://www.thelawyer.com/uk-firms-remain-wary-despite-elevated-recruitment-figures/1004112.article#commentsubmitted

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  • dave | 29-Apr-2010 2:48 pm

    Also most firms allow you to be flexible, I mean if you want to cut down your hours to fit in with your family commitments you can do at the same time, so the idea of working long hours doesn't apply to everyone unless they choose to do the long hours themselves.

    LOL!

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  • Anonymous | 29-Apr-2010 5:26 pm

    Have you heard yourself - it's not that hard to get a training contract! I note you say you have a position lined up - not a training contract.

    See how you're fixed once you've done three years at uni - I don't think you're in a very strong position to comment on this.

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  • Anonymous | 29-Apr-2010 9:28 pm

    Flexible working - I think it depnds on the firm you work for.

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