Overview
- Legal Cheek’s latest survey of more than 2,000 trainees and junior lawyers places Milbank first, with average workdays slightly over 13 hours and frequent departures after 10 pm.
- US firms occupy the five longest-hour slots in the City, with Kirkland & Ellis reporting 12 hours and 17 minutes after leading the table two years ago.
- Winston & Strawn averaged 12 hours and 13 minutes, while Weil, Gotshal & Manges and Paul, Weiss were reported at about 12 hours.
- Among UK-based elite firms, Linklaters posted 11 hours and 57 minutes, Clifford Chance 11 hours and 49 minutes, A&O Shearman 11 hours and 35 minutes, Freshfields 11 hours and 14 minutes, and Slaughter and May 10 hours and 34 minutes.
- Anonymous juniors describe an always-on culture with overnight calls and holiday work, Milbank’s London office did not respond to a request for comment, and newly qualified pay at some US firms reaches £180,000.