Perhaps the prospective law student wishes something more tangible when the term 'long hours' is raised from time to time.

I've got friends in the big 4 telling me an average day is 11 pm. When deadlines are looming, 3-4 am days can be expected, and they still turn up to work by 9am. Or simply it's best to stay in the office overnight so that you can get the extra hours of sleep.

Oh, and they burn weekends too.

I've witnessed at one of the big 4, the tea lady comes around with snacks for 'tea time' at 6 pm. Going home at 7ish for these folks is considered as a half day.

Not to dissuade anyone from taking up this line of work, but I do admire those who are able to make it through the years under these conditions.