Have heard some nightmare stories from tier one firms, including working while sick, partners throwing coffee at associates and throwing things in general, having zero work-life balance, having to work through the death of an immediate family member etc. Is the culture at foreign law firms any different or is it the same ?

Much better and positive. The work hours are hectic as usual.

This is true only for UK based firms and not US based ones.

Not able to downvote so commenting as downvote

Most definitely not. My friends at Links are facing equal abuse and issues. Only difference is it is not Lala and very structured

What is lala

And there is a good difference in pay.

One of my frnds at nls is promoted quite early at Links only :)

Care to elucidate?