Life as a BIG LAW Associate - Corporate Lawyer Diaries (London)

Why did I become a lawyer? Do I want to make partner? How many hours a week do I work? Is life as a lawyer not insanely stressful?

I've been a qualified corporate lawyer for about 6 months now, and I felt like it was time to answer some of the biggest questions people have about working in big law. There are for sure ups and downs in this job, and so I want to be open about what that really means - how do I feel when I have to give up plans? Is the salary worth it? Do I actually enjoy my job?

If there is one thing I've learned since going into full-time work, it's that the grass is always greener. People in high-flying jobs earning big money sometimes wish they could live life at a slightly slower pace, and people who are don't earn so much or work such long hours wish they had a bit more spending power or a slightly more challenging role. So, when I answer these questions, I am honest, but I am also mindful of how easy it is to criticise what we have without appreciating it for the positives.

Corporate law definitely is not an easy job. It requires hard work, patience, and an ability (from time to time) to suck up a long night spent doing something you'd rather not do. But it also brings with it the opportunity to work with insanely smart people on huge deals, to think, perform under pressure, to work as a team, and to get sh*t done.

0:00 Intro
0:50 Why I Chose To Become A Corporate Lawyer
07:39 What Is Life As A Corporate Lawyer Really Like?
14:41 How To Decide If Law Is A Good Profession For You
18:09 Advice To Get Into Law

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Menos - Minimalist, sustainable design (by Liam & Beth)

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Get The Done App & Other Productivity Apps - Completely Free For A Whole Year!

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My Free Trello Masterclass

... The course walks you through how to build your customised version of my insanely powerful (but simple) Trello productivity system (aka the app that keeps me focused for 10 hours per day!) 📱

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About Me

I'm a lawyer, part-time YouTuber, son, brother, startup founder, fiancé, black coffee drinker and plant dad. I graduated from Cambridge University (where I studied French and Spanish), topped my law school class and now work for a corporate law firm in London as a trainee solicitor (which takes up a lot of my time)!

Around that, I'm a big fan of discovering new ways of thinking, of balancing work with life, and of performing to the very best of my ability. Ohh, and being happy. And I try to share all that on this YouTube channel 😀

Fun fact: I believe we massively overplay the role of “natural talent” 😮 AND… I also believe that TOGETHER, WE ARE ALL CAPABLE OF POSITIVITY, PRODUCTIVITY AND SUCCESS.

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Disclaimer:
Information, views and opinions depicted in this video are my own. Information visible on screens or in documents does not relate to my work as a lawyer for clients.

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Thanks so much to BetterHelp for sponsoring this video 😀

[lehoff]

60+ hr weeks and sometimes weekends??? I'm glad I'm in my 40s and can do half of that! I realise it's not every week, but life is too short and I prefer to enjoy time with my kids and hobbies and friends.

Kudos to you Liam definitely not for me. But I've been through all the corporate work and now can choose my own time and work. But I also don't live in London, and never would want to go back to that insane corporate environment.

[joshadelman]

Waiting for a Q and A with you, an investment banker, a doctor and a consultant at the same stage of your career, just discussing your respective jobs and career choices

[janesmith]

Very good advice (I am an older lawyer). I agree that as you get more senior although you have more control of your life (I can work whenever I like) you still are giving the clients what they want when they want it. One reason I am still doing all this at my age is because I have always tried to get enough sleep, have children, balance my life and it is still huge fun to practise law every day.

[furkankaragolge]

Hi Liam! I will begin working at a Big Law firm as a trainee in September and your videos genuinely help me prepare myself for what lies ahead in this journey. Thank you for sparing your time to shoot and edit such quality videos. Cheers from Turkey

[arkid]

I’ve done an LLB, an LLM (at Russell group unis) and my LPC. I’ve chased the training contract dream these past couple of years. I’ve comfortably given up but I love your vids Liam because I can live vicariously through you. You truly are amazing.

[justmeajah]

I enjoy your genuine answer and advice!!

[TheREALHugo]

As a law college student, this will be very helpful

[Ojas]

Your videos keeps me motivated especially the ones you made during your Cambridge days in which you described the methods of studying and making sure the knowledge is retained. They are really helping me in my preparation for LLB entrance exam here in India so that I can become a corporate lawyer like you one day. Do make a video if you have any other techniques or suggestions that you have not shared before which we can incorporate in our study schedule which can help us improve our exam preparation . Thanks again

[olzhas.abubakirov]

Hi, Liam. Quality and relevancy is getting better and better with every video!

[radhasircar]

Thanks for sharing your advice and experience with us. It really helps to gain perspective and stay motivated. Wishing you continued success on this journey.

[ntube]

Really interesting video Liam, I wish something similar had been available when I was going through this 20 years ago! (Completed my LPC in 2003).

[furdiebant]

Best of luck as you continue your career

[chrissy]

Career-changer here on the LPC and fellow CW dweller!

[kingpeace]

Liam make a video on how lawyers use chat gpt

Title could be CAN AI PRACTISE LAW .

[kieranspy]

Hey Liam!

I'm currently a Year 12 student looking to do the MML course at Cambridge. My passions for both languages and finance seem to coinside with yours super closely! I see you as a true role model as I work on my own website helping teens just like me to develop themselves and find success just as I am working towards. Sound familiar? I seem to be on a very similar path as you once were and would love any further insight you could give!

Is there an email or way we could speak privately more about this?

[jacquelinenguyen]

Accountants are the equivalent of the lawyers except you guys enjoy, reading more and get paid more. I feel like I went into the wrong field LOL.

[Jakedab]

The cuts are a bit fast for me. Otherwise I enjoyed the video!

[mushahidraza]

Is it easy to get sponsorship job after doing GDL and SQE1 and SQE2 please let me know about it

[bethaneydunne]

Hi Liam whats it like being a lawyer ive never fone it but found it interesting im wanting to get and go down Admin but finding really dofficult and hard any advice you can give nuchbappreciated new to channel just subs and your videos are amazing useful helpful content and videos amazing keep it all up 😊😊😊 Best of luck as you continue on into your career 😊

[jakefuller]

Man I did not know about virtual internships until you mentioned it. This is great advice and think it will certainly help my chances of getting into investment banking. Thanks liam