"I'm a 2PQE associate at a UK top 50 firm in London, where I qualified. I'm generally pretty happy where I am; the work as yet hasn't been mind-numbing and the firm's been pretty good to me so far – I'm still able to have something of a personal life alongside my time in the office.

"However, the partner who's the head of my team is moving to a US firm's London office, and I've been offered the opportunity to go with him.

"The move would entail a bit of a pay rise – it's just that I've heard nightmare tales about the working culture at these kind of places. Is that a generalisation, or is there some substance to these claims? I'm also concerned I might be limiting my future career options by moving to a smallish London office. If anyone's made a similar move and can offer some advice, it'd be much appreciated… "