Many of the lawyers we speak with complain that they work long, grueling hours. They say that they work late at night, or oftentimes into the wee hours of the morning, at their office.
There is no denying that a lawyer's work is never (or, at least, seldom) done. Their desks are often piled high with files or, if not on their desk, then on the floor surrounding their desk. And, when they think that they are nearing completion (whatever "completion" means), one or more new matters come in that they must deal with - - often marked "urgent" - - at least the client considers them urgent.
And, if the lawyer is on the bottom or in the middle of the ladder in a firm, they have little (or, no) control of the constant stream of matters that they have to constantly address.
But, aside from all that, we have found some very interesting (and disturbing) underlying circumstances that are really the cause of their spending so many hours at the office:
- Many lawyers just don't want to go home. They would prefer to remain in their office. They don't want to deal with their nagging or domineering spouse, or their screaming kids. These lawyers find more comfort and peace of mind in their office.
- Many lawyers don't have anybody or anything to go home to. They have no spouse, no children, no pet, really nothing waiting for them at home.
- Some lawyers don't have a "home" to go to. Oh, sure, they have some place other than their office at which they can "hang their hat;" but, they are not as comfortable there as they are in their office - - so they remain in their office.
The upside of this is that those lawyers often record a great deal of "billable hours."
But, the downside is....sad.
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