The trouble with litigation

Everyone knows that lawyers love long, complex and expensive cases. The bigger the case, the more they can bill their clients vast sums to help dig them out of the deep pit that they have gotten themselves into.

In reality though, it's only the equity partners who thrive on the adrenaline rush of a huge impossible case demanding total dedication from everyone on the team. For hard-pressed associates, these monster pieces of litigation just mean headaches, long evenings and weekends stuck at the office.

After all, if you're not sharing in the profits, it's really far better for the case to settle. At least that way you get to go home at 6pm – and you might even get a week or two of reasonably normal life (you might get to see your friends – remember them?) before another partner collars you and thrusts a further huge unmanageable case in your direction.

So yes, lawyers love litigation. But sometimes, even lawyers just want a peaceful life.