Bloomberg Law’s 2024 Attorney Workload & Hours Survey reveals persistent challenges in the legal profession, including high burnout rates, administrative inefficiencies, and evolving career expectations. The survey, conducted between January 8 and January 27, 2025, gathered responses from 1,054 legal professionals across various roles and organizations.

Workload and Billing Discrepancies

Attorneys reported working an average of 48 hours per week in 2024, yet only 36 of those hours were billable. This 12-hour gap underscores the significant time spent on non-billable tasks, such as administrative duties and project management. Notably, 71% of respondents are required to track their time by project or matter, indicating a widespread emphasis on accountability and efficiency.

Burnout and Well-Being Concerns

Burnout remains a critical issue, with attorneys feeling burned out 42% of the time on average. Mid- to senior-level associates experienced the highest levels of burnout at 51%, compared to 37% for junior associates and 40% for partners. Contributing factors include the inability to disconnect from work (reported by 44% of respondents) and trouble focusing on work tasks (38%).

Despite taking an average of nine days off in 2024 to relax and recharge, 73% of attorneys did some work on at least half of those days, highlighting challenges in achieving work-life balance. Only 3% reported doing no work-related tasks during their time off.

Career Outlook and Job Satisfaction

Job satisfaction saw a modest increase, with 64% of attorneys reporting being satisfied in 2024, up from previous years.

However, career mobility remains a consideration for many. While 46% of respondents are not looking to move at this time, 51% are open to offers, and 7% are actively seeking new opportunities. The primary motivations for considering a change include better salary/compensation (58%), reduced work stress (43%), and improved work-life balance (42%).

Looking ahead, only 46% of attorneys believe they will stay with their current employer over the next five years, though 80% expect to remain in the legal industry throughout their careers.

Administrative Inefficiencies

Administrative tasks continue to consume a significant portion of attorneys' time. On average, attorneys spent two out of every eight working hours on administrative duties, such as tracking hours and managing projects. Opinions on the efficiency of these processes are divided, with 40% finding them somewhat or very inefficient, and 38% considering them somewhat or very efficient.

Challenges in managing and collaborating on legal work were also highlighted. The most common issues include tracking tasks and deadlines (41%), getting a clear picture of overall project statuses (39%), and communicating efficiently with team members (32%).

For more detailed insights, the full report is available on Bloomberg Law's website: 2025 Attorney Workload and Hours Survey.