i hear that being a lawyer requires 18 hour work days and that some lawyers have cots in their offices so they can sleep their, is this true? and if so, are their any areas within the field of law that arent like that? im considering a career in law and i sure as hell dont want to live live that.
2006-08-17 16:43:01 · 7 answers · asked by acidicspecies08 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
It doesn't matter what career you choose. If you want to make it big and if you want to be good at what you do, it will require that you spent many hours working. That is not permanent though because then you can afford to hire more people to help you out. And when you are a new lawyer, you need to show your clients that you are responsible and they can rely on you with their problems. I work at a law office and I am currently studying law. I see some new lawyers who live in the office and those who have a career already, they leave early and come to work at around ten in the morning. Good luck!
2006-08-17 16:52:12 · answer #1 · answered by italian_princess 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A law degree is the finest graduate education you can receive and having a law license (by passing the Bar) opens up SO many doors that would otherwise be closed to you. The situation you describe is what happens to a "newbie" in a big firm who is required to bill out 2400 hours/year. Do the math - a cot might not be a bad idea.
You can teach, work in a small firm, do public service work, or work for the government. I've done them all and I NEVER worked more than 40 hours a week unless I had a trial coming up or was actually in trial - then it gets a little hairy for a week or so. But then you take a few days off and go golfing or take your kids to the park.
You have a doctorate and you can teach in the public schools with just a little bit of student teaching which they really don't bother about.
You can also work part-time and make more than anyone working at Wal-Mart 50 hours/week.
So, if you have the chance - do it. It's not THAT hard - a lot of reading - and if you study for the Bar Exam you'll do okay. It'll all be worth it in the end.
The best part was how proud my father was of me. You can't buy that kind of happiness and pride.
2006-08-17 23:58:12 · answer #2 · answered by 34th B.G. - USAAF 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
most lawyers talk about how they can not wait to get out of the business and do something else
but the basic theme is this: take out student loans to pay for law school, bar prep etc close to 100K then you get out of law school start at least with 100K debt maybe more depending on undergrad, so you are forced into certain jobs, if you luv a certain area then spending 80 hours a week working no big deal because you luv the job, if like most need a job to pay for law school then 80 hours a week in a office with no windows harsh
as stated above if you have another field that requires lawyers supervision alot less hours pleasant job good monies
2006-08-18 00:11:48 · answer #3 · answered by goz1111 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well come into my office and let's chat! no no no,my friend. it does not have to be like that, at all! i am a happy lawyer :) of course, i am a government lawyer, therefore "high compensation" is not an option for the top of my priority list. lol. there are so many wonderful benefits of having a JD that i won't even begin to list them all. but remember...it is a Doctorate of Jurisprudence. my friend...you can take it and do what ever tickles your heart. start a business, become a professor, go be a FBI agent. you don't have to "practice law" but even if you do, there are so many non-traditional legal careers, that i am sure we can find something that will make you happy '-)
but i want to make sure i answer your question. YES, there are some lawyers who work hideous hours. (not sure about 18, that's crazy! but i don't doubt it). but even in law firms, many lawyers have normal lives. every thing is about what you CHOOSE to do. and if you listen to your heart, and find an aspet of the law that works for you, i am positive that you will think that becoming a lawyer was one of the best decisions you ever made.
good luck!
2006-08-18 00:50:42 · answer #4 · answered by sexy law chick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on where you work.
Corporate attorneys tend to have the same type of 8-6 schedule as any other corporate officer. Same with government lawyers. And lawyers in other transactional positions tend to have the same hours as their non-attorney counterparts.
The stories you're hearing about 18-hour days apply to many (not all) law firms, which is only one segment of the legal population. And those mainly refer either to younger attorneys who are trying to learn the law, or older attorneys who are voluntary work-aholics.
As with any career, it's up to you where you work, and how much you put into it. Some people put that much time in, because they want to impress their bosses. That's the same as in many other professions.
Myself, right now I do legal research, memo writing and editing for a number of independent criminal defense attorneys. I work from home, setting my own hours, as long as I get what they need done by the deadlines. I tend to work around 7-8 hours a day on the average, some days more before a big deadline, some days less.
It all depends on what type of law you practice, and where you go to work.
2006-08-17 23:55:52 · answer #5 · answered by coragryph 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is just like any other job. Sometimes it sucks. Sometimes it's fun. The harder you work the better job you get the more you make. If you are interested visit a law school and go to the career services office. Someone there will give you a better perspective on what to expect than anyone on here can.
2006-08-17 23:54:32 · answer #6 · answered by C B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
every one knows .it is really most dificult for any one win in their suits.like wise the lawer too feels .even one is very strict he can not help .with changes in judges sytories repeated till suit -filed person will finally the looser.
2006-08-17 23:54:17 · answer #7 · answered by Bhahagyam 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋