Legal role at bulge bracket investment bank

Hi all,

I do not come from an IB background and have just applied for a legal role at a bulge bracket bank at what is probably associate level. I have heard and read all the stories about what an IB lifestyle is like at analyst or associate level in general (anywhere from 70 to 110 hours a week at work, on call 24-7, no time for friends, family or relationships etc).

I was wondering if anyone could elaborate on what junior/mid level in-house legal/regulatory roles in IB are like? In particular, if you work or know someone in a role where you are giving legal and regulatory advice on live deals or transactions in an investment bank, I'd be really interested in hearing what the lifestyle is like.

Thanks.

5 Comments
 

Hi IronChef204,

Thanks for your input. Yes I am already a lawyer. I have worked in law firms before but in the last couple of years, I have been working in-house in organisations that have been have been extremely pro-work/life balance (literally 9-5).

The role I've applied to provide real time advice on deals teams are working on, so I was thinking my hours could mirror those teams rather than in house roles where anything could come your way.

 

Sure, mhmmm not. But This role is purely transactional advice and so it sounds like the hours will be longer. Also, the BB bank I have applied to is one where even back office staff work 12 hours a day

 
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