well, having turned down a 40 hr/wk position with a small firm, i’m back at contract attorney work. this isn’t a bad thing, and in fact factored into my decision not to take a “real” attorney job. while the non-pay benefits aren’t great (i don’t get health benefits or paid vacations or even sick leave), there is the possibility of making scads of money in a short period of time on high-overtime projects.

like the one i started today: the firm wants a minimum of 9 hours a day (M-F), and would just love it if we were there 70 hrs/week (11 hours a day M-F, 7.5 hours on SaSu). when you figure that’s 40 hrs/wk at hourly and 30 at time-and-a-half, you can see the appeal.¹

maintaining those hours over long periods of time will also turn you into a zombie.

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¹ one thing you do have to watch out for is the point of diminishing returns - the mega OT also pushes you into a higher tax bracket.