OP here. Usually I don't reply but here you go. As I've said earlier the grass also seems greener on the other side. Corporate and M&A field have a lot more work and tight deadlines than TMT or any other particular practice. Have been working since years and seen this a lot of times. My freind (TMT) who started in with me became a partner in a tier 2 firm and earning almost the same as my firm's partner. And some of the people shifted to TMT and other practices leaving M&A. Corporate and M&A teams hires much more people than they actually require. Most of the PA are regularly asked to pack their bags. This practice in India was originally meant to consume a very less numbers of lawyers. And not to forget it comes with the most pathetic WLB and uncertainty of future.

TMT as a practice will flourish in the near future. If you stuck yourself to TMT or Capital Markets or any other growing field then trust me you'll thank yourself after a few years. Don't listen to your friends or what you see in your firm. Corporate and M&A was a thing of the past. If you want a good future and WLB then choose any other practice area other than M&A. This bubble is soon gonna burst and will take away a lot of jobs.

All the best Kid.

My team works insane hours - it's the whole day everyday - weekends are also working except a few. It is never like there is no work and you are sitting ideal. I am already putting in so much hours and our lunch-dinner timings are also like 10 mins on a daily basis. If i am already putting these many hours might as well shift for a better pay? My TMT Teams is one of the best TMT teams and the number of mandates picked up is insane with shorter deadlines to have that revenue I understand. Please help with advice.

Long things short.

Don't shift. The grass always seems greener on the other side. Working in M&A for quite a few years now and trust me a lot of people leave here for a better work life. There's a lot of work, short deadlines, working weekends and the same working timings as yours mostly on weekends also. So, if you wanna shift then shift to an in house role or preferably some other practice but not Corporate and M&A. We have much more pathetic WLB and timings than you guys.

All the best for your future.

Hey, I am currently an A1 ( have been into the profession for almost an year and a half now) working in a TMT team - with a focus on data privacy and fintech advisory. I was considering making a shift to the m&a or general corporate practice area. I would really appreciate your advice on a) whether such a shift is advisable in the long term; b) would other firms reduce my level to A0 now while hiring me?; c) any other things that I should consider. My team is always bombarded with work with 10 am to 12 am being a very normal day. I do not think it is sustainable. Any advice would be helpful! [Alternatively, please suggest good Corporate - TMT teams in Delhi / Mumbai].