Working Late

Today was an almost 12-hour day at work. Although the girls woke up early and I was able to see them today, my son, who appreciates sleep as much as we wish our daughters would, was sleeping when I left and sleeping when I came back home. During the day our son put together two firetruck jigsaw puzzles all by himself and told my wife, "Daddy is going to be so surprised!" I was, but I didn't get to show him or tell him. I realize that at this point I don't have to work this late with great frequency and that missing this moment with my son isn't that big of a deal right now, but that frequency will likely increase and these opportunities will likely decrease when I move to the firm next year. I worked for two years at a law firm prior to law school, then again each summer during law school. One trend I've noticed among lawyers is that they get into the habit of working late, sleeping in the next morning, and coming in late. Is there much an associate can do when that is their partner's habit? On the other hand, my judge is always at work very early in the morning and is able to leave early and spend a great deal of time with his family. I hope that that is the habit I develop while working with him and continue to maintain at the firm so that missing these moments is still the exception rather than the rule.