Supporting family values

Only 16% of the respondents said their lives as practising solicitors were worse than when they were trainees

There is a well ingrained image of the corporate solicitor - probably City-based, but not exclusively - pulling an all-nighter to complete a major deal.

For these lawyers, a 60 to 70-hour week is meant to be routine, and while they are well remunerated, they are deserving of sympathy for having sacrificed their social lives and much of their family lives.This week we report on a Hays-ZMB lifestyle survey that suggests such a stereotype might be more myth than reality.

While all-night deal sessions do occur, and undoubtedly many City solicitors pile up well above the national weekly average in working hours, it is pleasing to see that most solicitors surveyed are actually happy and satisfied with their professional lot.Only 16% of the respondents said their lives as practising solicitors were worse than when they were trainees.

With about 40% saying life was better or much better, it would seem that reports of a core of disillusioned and depressed solicitors, thankfully, may be exaggerated.But there are serious concerns.

Both men and women lawyers increasingly hold the view that a legal career can significantly hinder family life.The message to law firms yet again is that they must come to terms with flexible working or risk losing many of their brightest lawyers.