Truth Behind Horror Stories in Big Law?

sallyawp
Fri, 17 May 2013 10:05:07 +0000

But, aside from being demoralizing (months of work up in smoke), wouldn’t it inspire you to not give 100% in subsequent situations, especially if it’s happened to you several times? Or does this happen rarely enough so as not to be utterly soul-crushing?



Having a deal fall apart is neither demoralizing or soul-crushing. It is what it is: work. You do your job, and if you’re lucky, you get to go home occasionally to enjoy your life. Lawyers at big firms generally get paid regardless of the outcome of the transaction since the hours get billed regardless of the end-result. Of course, if a bad outcome is in any way attributable to the attorneys, those attorneys/that firm may never get that business again.

Yes, it can be incredibly satisfying to close a deal, but it’s pretty much right on to the next after that. There isn’t a lot of time for back slapping and high fiving.