I'm a 4th year student, about to enter my 5th year sometime in the next 3 months.

I have been interning mostly with M&A and PE teams of very big firms for a really long time now. However, recent experiences have completely disillusioned me from this practice area. I cannot imagine myself doing due diligences and killing myself over weekends over ridiculous deadlines in the long run. The mere thought of the same scares the shit out of me. I have no idea why I'm having such a realisation right now, after working in this practice area for so long at this point.

I just wanted to know if there is any chance I can shift to something more intellectually stimulating and hopefully with better hours (not necessary though). I am just sick of the brain rot of core corporate law. I have interned with funds, banking and disputes teams as well (not so extensively though). Would that help?

Are there any practice areas at all that I can start thinking about right now where my experience in M&A might help? And how do I make the shift?

I really don't like having this sudden realisation, but I don't think I can do this shit in the long run.

You're gonna face the same problems in Funds as well as Banking. In disputes, the hours are likely to be equally bad plus much more uncertainty however youay find work more intellectually stimulating plus going to courts regularly and meeting all sorts of people as well as getting to argue are a nice break from a mundane desk job.

Indeed, currently interning with the M&A team of a tier-1 law firm from a top private college, but utterly disappointed with M&A as a practice. The charm and aura of Disputes are unmatchable. It brings a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment. M&A can give you money, cater to your greed, but not satisfaction. Even if disputes require hardwork but ready to take it atleast will do it with my heart not force the shit out of me.