‘Do something that feeds your soul not your wallet,’ advises London lawyer earning over £100k

I’ve been told this so much over the last couple of years by people who have no intention to work in commercial law “oh haha sure you make money but it I’m sure you’ll regret it in 10 years” and that’s such a privileged perspective to me like bro I come from a family of immigrant refugees and I’ve watched my father slog much harder than a commercial lawyer to make less than a tenth of what we make. it’s 100% worth it for many people like me because it changes the kind of opportunities we can afford for ourselves and our family – the first time I mentioned a 6 figure salary to my father (converted to local currency) for working 9-9 (UK firm), he thought I was being scammed.

also if she’s making between 100k-200k after 10 years in law (7-8PQ, assuming none of those years were as a paralegal), I imagine (or at least hope) she’s not billing some of the ungodly hours that US firms sometimes require – I think “it’s not worth it for me” would’ve been a much better way to put it instead of assuming everyone has the same priorities as you.

Easy for her to say from her position… I’ll be taking that with a pinch of salt.

As a senior at an elite US firm in the City, I make a tad above £300k plus a generous bonus. I have been in finance (RE first and now leverage) for over a decade and can confirm that this ain’t worth it having experienced multiple breakups and a divorce. If I had a choice again I would have pursued a different career that it offers better balance.

To be able to say, “Do something that feeds your soul not your wallet” is to be in a super privileged position and signals that you have reached a certain level of wealth. As Kanye once said, “Having money isn’t everything, not having it is.” Don’t discourage people from joining the profession because it doesn’t align with your luxury beliefs. The money can be life-changing.

So I’m first generation lawyer, earning the most in my family, I can’t even tell my family how much I earn but they know I’m comfortable. The opportunity has opened doors I couldn’t have imagined and this lady comes and says “it’s not worth it”?! Ok. If I wasn’t fortunate to get into law, only God knows what I would be doing but I highly doubt I would be making what I’m earning now (neither would I own my house, have a nice car, have 5 figure savings)

I can’t lie… despite the rumours about US firm hours, I’m still considering doing it for a year at least because how can I give up such an opportunity?!

If you look at most people in public life who bleat on about doing good and not chasing money, almost every single one of them has serious financial backing from some source close to them. Whether it’s Tony Blair with a wealthy father and wife, Cameron and Osborne, Shami Chakrabarti with an ex husband partner in a City law firm, Theresa May with a rich banker husband, Nick Clegg with rich parents and wife who was a City law firm partner, all the criminal barristers and civil servants and SPADs that can afford to earn £40k salaries in London and still own properties and travel…..the reality is that most of us who didn’t grown up rich need this cash and it changes the lives of family members.