Emergency-room doctors retire from that demanding environment somewhat earlier, while psychiatrists work, on average, to age 70. Psychiatrists might even enjoy age as a possible ally. Somewhat like older judges, artists and musicians, their wisdom seems to grow with age in the public's eye, often allowing them to take on the persona of sage. From a practical standpoint, partnership agreements often help winnow out older partners. Less productive partners are forced to leave firms whose partners are required to work a specific number of hours a year or bring in a sufficient volume of new business consistent with the terms of their partnership agreements.
Smaller firms have fewer rules and, of course, solo practitioners can operate indefinitely.
Thomas Evans, formerly of counsel to the law firm of Andrews and Kurth, notes that a lawyer's professional career life cycle has changed at most firms. Until recently, the law-firm associate was young, underpaid and overworked. It was a form of apprenticeship. The next step was promotion to a junior partner. The pay was better, yet the partner was still required to work long hours.