The average work hours per week in my profession is 50. Some lawyers downtown must be doing 60+ hours. One lawyer works so much that his wife and children have to make appointments to see him on the weekend. The pressure to make billable hour targets can be immense. Big clients, big files, long hours. Depression and substance abuse is rampant.
I decided to open my own shop in the suburbs - I work 35-40 hours per week, never on evenings and weekends. This worked well for me so that I had plenty of time to spend with my children. Now they are older and I have more times for hobbies and volunteering.
There are different stresses in running your own office and being responsible for employing a small staff and finding enough work. Probably I could make more $ downtown, but the trade-off is not worth it to me.
Successfully Juggling Work and Family: Tips for Lawyers
https://www.cba.org/Publications-Res...y-Tips-for-Law