Work-Life Balance in the Legal Profession: A Necessity Even in a Down Economy
By Jennifer Gonzales-Frisbie, Esq. (New York City)
Over the last year, in large law firms across the country, associates have lived in fear of losing their jobs, accepting and even seeking out longer hours at the office in the hope that if they can accumulate enough billable hours, their jobs will be spared. Unfortunately, such a practice is leading to growing dissatisfaction for all involved. Associates are worn out and resentful of their current predicament. Clients are becoming fed up with large legal bills which reflect the work of several attorneys billing a significant number of hours in order to produce a single piece of work product. Law firm partners are struggling to maintain and bring in business since clients are going in increasing numbers to smaller firms where the same legal work can be done for a lot less.
In this time of high unemployment and economic hardship, should we consider work-life balance a luxury, available only when economic times are good, and just be thankful we have jobs at all?
Although the answer from many quarters seems to be “yes”, others believe that sacrificing work-life balance is not the best strategy to surviving a tough economy. Lisa Gates, life balance coach and author of “Are You Ditching Work-Life Balance Because You’re Afraid of Losing Your Job?” explains that balancing work and personal life in a down economy is important, not just for your well-being outside of work, but to ensure you remain mentally and physically prepared to successfully carry out workplace goals and make sound decisions in your career.
Large law firms can learn from those employers which have already recognized the importance of work-life balance. According to Susan Fenton, author of “Firms Say Work-Life Balance Boosts Productivity”, companies such as Dutch mail company TNT, oil company BP, and US computer maker Sun Microsystems Inc. have found that work life imbalances lead to increased business costs. As a result of these findings, these companies have adopted more flexible working arrangements which they say motivate employees, resulting in increased productivity and efficiency.
Despite the lack of work-life balance in an overwhelming number of law firms, there are those recognized by Yale Law Women as the Top Ten Family Friendly Firms for 2009.
- Arnold & Porter
- Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
- Covington & Burling
- Jenner & Block
- Katten Muchin Rosenman
- Mayer Brown
- Munger, Tolles & Olson
- Patton Boggs
- Sidley Austin
- WilmerHale
According to the Yale Law Women (YLW) website, these firms are leaders in facilitating work-life balance for attorneys and are praised for continuing to do so in tough economic times. YLW also recognizes, however, that there continues to be gender disparities in the implementation of these family-friendly policies and hopes firms will strive to improve upon them. YLW believes such efforts are necessary in order to respond to changing market demands.
Jennifer, I’m delighted that this post still has legs, and that you found such a powerful context for it. Thank you.
Of all the professions, this legal arena seems to pose the most struggle for women (that’s anecdotally, going from what I’ve observed in my practice). When you add career ambition to tradition and entrenched workplace styles, gender bias, and overwork-as-usual to present fears about the economy, where does breathing fit in…much less a meal w/family? The hardest part is not just making some tough choices, but in recognizing that there actually *are* choices.