Date: May 3rd, 2016 8:28 PM
Author: Irradiated brunch
No. If you went straight through from HS -> College -> LS -> Biglaw you might be tempted to think this. Biglaw sucks in a number of ways. The work is stressful and often dull. The hours are long. Perhaps worst, you are on call 24/7.
But what you don't realize is that you're given perks and freedom beyond what most other white collar office monkeys get.
You can roll in whenever you like in most firms. You can work from home occasionally. People don't really care as long as you bill your hours.
Your internet is not restricted or monitored.
You have an office with a door that closes.
You have a car service and free dinner at night.
You can take a long lunch without worrying.
In most typical non-law white collar office jobs, you don't get these things. I'm not talking about executives, but people like staff accountants or financial analysts within companies. If you ass isn't in the chair at 9:00 AM there are problems. You get 30 minutes for lunch and that's it. Your internet may block Pandora. You may get a shitty, depressing cubicle to call home. Increasingly, these jobs are also requiring longer workweeks. And the work. Good lord. The work. If you think law is boring, try accounting or financial modeling or any of the other menial white collar jobs.
The entire 21st century white collar experience is fucking miserable for anyone with a brain or ambition. Biglaw sucks, but it could be worse -- much worse.
That said, I quit and haven't regretted it for even a moment.
(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3213209&forum_id=2#30401355)