Day in My Life as a CORPORATE LAWYER in London - 14 Hour Day

A Day in My Life as a CORPORATE LAWYER in London - 14 Hour Day

Being a corporate lawyer in London is often considered one of the most prestigious—and demanding—careers in the legal world. While the pay and prestige are attractive, the long hours, intense workload, and constant pressure are part of the reality. If you’ve ever wondered what a typical day looks like for a corporate lawyer in London, I’m here to share the truth. Spoiler alert: it’s a 14-hour day!

Here’s a peek into my life as a corporate lawyer, navigating through contracts, client meetings, high-stakes negotiations, and everything in between.

6:30 AM - The Day Starts Early

My alarm goes off at 6:30 AM. The first thing I do is check my emails and messages to see if anything urgent came in overnight. As a corporate lawyer, especially in a fast-paced city like London, your clients are often from different time zones, so important updates can come at any hour.

After quickly scanning my inbox, I get ready for the day. By the time I leave the house, I’m already mentally preparing for a long and hectic day ahead.

8:00 AM - Arriving at the Office

I arrive at the office around 8:00 AM. The office is buzzing with activity, and you can feel the energy as everyone gears up for a busy day. My first stop is the coffee machine, because let’s face it, I need that caffeine boost!

Once I’ve grabbed my coffee, I head straight to my desk to review my schedule for the day. There are meetings, calls, and deadlines, and everything needs to be managed meticulously. At this point, I start reading over the documents I’ll be discussing in meetings later in the day.

9:00 AM - Internal Meeting with the Team

By 9:00 AM, I’m in my first meeting of the day with my team. We go over the details of the projects we’re working on, review contracts, and align on strategy. As a corporate lawyer, most of my work involves teamwork and collaboration. Whether it’s reviewing the latest merger or discussing regulatory compliance, we need to be in sync with our colleagues to ensure everything is moving smoothly.

In these meetings, we also discuss our clients, keeping them in the loop about any new developments, potential roadblocks, or decisions that need to be made. Communication is key in corporate law, and being proactive with clients is critical.

11:00 AM - Client Call and Document Review

By 11:00 AM, it’s time for my first client call of the day. I’m dealing with a large multinational company that’s looking to close an important deal, so the stakes are high. The call lasts about an hour, where I update the client on the current status, review the terms of the agreement, and answer any questions they might have.

After the call, I spend the next few hours reviewing and drafting documents. This is one of the most crucial aspects of my work. Whether it’s drafting contracts for a merger or reviewing legal agreements, attention to detail is essential. Mistakes can be costly, so I’m very meticulous in reviewing every clause, paragraph, and term.

1:00 PM - Quick Lunch, Back to Work

I try to grab a quick lunch, usually around 1:00 PM. But if I’m really busy, lunch often ends up being at my desk, eating while working through emails or making quick revisions to documents.

I’ve learned to manage my time effectively. It’s not uncommon to be multitasking during lunch, whether it’s replying to a few emails or discussing something with a colleague. The reality is, when you’re a corporate lawyer, there’s not much downtime.

2:00 PM - Client Meeting and Negotiations

By mid-afternoon, I’m in a high-stakes negotiation meeting with a client. We’re discussing the terms of a major acquisition, and the other side is being quite tough on some of the key issues. The tension is palpable, and my negotiating skills are put to the test.

We go back and forth on key points, and I make sure to advocate for my client while also trying to reach a fair and balanced agreement. Negotiations can be intense, but it’s also what makes corporate law so exciting. At the end of the meeting, we come to an agreement on several terms, but there’s still a lot of work to do.

4:30 PM - Contract Drafting and Legal Research

After the negotiation meeting, I head back to my desk for more contract drafting. By now, my brain is pretty fried, but I know I still have to power through. Contract drafting is a time-consuming process that requires precision, and every word counts.

I spend a couple of hours reviewing relevant case law and legal precedents to make sure everything is in line with current regulations. This is where being up-to-date on the latest legal changes is crucial, as corporate law is constantly evolving.

6:30 PM - Final Call with Senior Partner

By 6:30 PM, I have a final call with one of the senior partners to discuss the progress of the day’s tasks. We go over the client’s requirements, any new developments, and discuss what needs to be done in the coming days. This is often a quick but important check-in before the day ends.

8:00 PM - Wrapping Up and Heading Home

It’s been a 14-hour day, and I finally wrap up the last few emails and finish some minor revisions on a document. By this time, my head is spinning from all the details and decisions that have been made throughout the day, but it’s part of the job.

I head home around 8:00 PM, exhausted but satisfied. Tomorrow, the cycle will begin again, with new challenges and tasks to tackle. But that’s the life of a corporate lawyer in London—long hours, high stakes, and constant pressure, but also incredibly rewarding.

Conclusion: A Rewarding Career with Intense Demands

A day in the life of a corporate lawyer in London is not for the faint-hearted. It’s long hours, intense pressure, and constant problem-solving. However, for those who thrive in a high-paced, high-stakes environment, corporate law can be one of the most rewarding careers out there.

From client meetings and complex negotiations to drafting documents and legal research, no two days are the same. While it may be demanding, the financial rewards and the satisfaction of closing big deals make the 14-hour days worth it.