Caroline Stroud, litigation partner and people partner, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (pictured)

"When my kids were little, I used to try hard to be in the moment when I got home each day. I would try to put everything aside after work and have a period of time when I was just absorbed with the children, not allowing anything work-related to interrupt that quality time. That gave a quality and richness of experience, which helped to balance me. Nowadays we can all work on this by just putting our phones aside for say an hour or two a day and taking some time to do something different."

Jonathan de Lance-Holmes, investment funds partner, Linklaters

"Even if you're working long hours it's important to keep some space for you. For some it will be physical – exercise helps – for others it will be cultural. It's just about finding that space. Create time for yourself – don't answer that email this second if it isn't the right thing to do and develop hobbies and interests, whether that's exercise or music lessons.

"Control – not being in control is a massive element. When you're relatively senior you have more autonomy to decide how you're going to do things, but more junior lawyers need to value their own judgement as to whether they're doing it right.

"Speak out – if you're under too much pressure and you can't take on any more work, you'll be respected for pointing that out. Partners can tell the difference between someone who's work-shy and someone who just can't do this thing right now. And remember that you make partner by already acting like a partner – by demonstrating autonomy, not just by working all hours and doing what you're told."

Kevin Ingram, finance partner, Clifford Chance

"Part of the issue is that people do see behaviours around them and think: 'Well that behaviour has been successful so I should copy it.' I would say that working long hours is not the reason I was made up to partnership. It was what I was capable of doing as a lawyer.

"I do my best to maintain some work/life balance. I have just finished my 28th season for the Clifford Chance football team and I've only worked on a Saturday once or twice in my career. I'll work really late on a Friday and Sunday if I have to and take emergency calls on Saturday, but I will try hard not to work that day. I think having some sense of balance was a significant part of why I was successful."

Cathy Pitt, corporate partner, CMS

"I sing in our choir, which is fantastic, but that depends on me treating it as a fixed appointment like a client meeting. The message to everyone should be that you are empowered to prioritise your wellbeing. It's why it's so important that these things are led from the top. Our board is very supportive – it's regularly on agendas and people are talking about it openly."

Ian Bagshaw, private equity partner, White & Case

"City lawyers are pushed to their physical limits, to the brink of exhaustion. The whole job is a stress machine, from group emails, short demands, conflicts on time, the 24/7 culture…

"Since I've joined White & Case, there is more pressure. It is more 'work hard and play hard' here, as the more I work, the more I need to make sure I get to let off steam. I do a lot of cycling, go to a lot of social events. I make sure all my internal meetings are on Monday and I do client work the rest of the week. I also always say that clients take precedence over internal meetings.

"My tips for lawyers to handle stress better include being clear what you want from people, being timely and considerate, and making sure you always have an outlet outside work to regain some perspective."

John Blain, disputes partner, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

"Sleep and exercise are valuable, but it's about finding your own coping mechanism."

James Bateson, financial institutions head, Norton Rose Fulbright

"One shouldn't underestimate the impact that long hours and constant stress can have on your relationships outside of the workplace – be that your partner, children or your family. If you have to cancel the holiday again or can't do the cinema with your children, that can all contribute to this. My daughter is also studying law and it is something that concerns me as a parent.

"It is about understanding that working in a law firm is a stressful thing, and providing people with the support network so that if they are suffering there is a support network to help them and hopefully deal with it before it becomes an acute situation."

Martin Mankabady, corporate partner, Dentons

"I am a corporate lawyer, and no one deal is the same as the next. That is a part of the job that is great, but it brings with it pressures and stresses. I think what is key is that those people in firms who feel pressure and stress getting too much, learn how to cope with it. From a firm's point of view, you have to say to people: 'If you are feeling under pressure and it is not going to pass, there are people that you can talk to.'

"There is not a one-size-fits-all solution and the coping system will vary from person to person. We have to help people find what will work for them and help them become more mentally resilient. If you become more resilient, you cope with the pressures better."