I am thinking about doing a law degree, but I am unsure as to whether or not it would be right for me. I have heard lots about how lawyers have to work really long hours, but also I know they get paid really well. How many actually get paid the really big wages? The status is something that i would like as well. Can anyone give me any information? If you are a lawyer that would be even better.
2007-03-20 00:38:00 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
"Is being a lawyer a good career choice? I am thinking about doing a law degree, but I am unsure as to whether or not it would be right for me. I have heard lots about how lawyers have to work really long hours, but also I know they get paid really well. How many actually get paid the really big wages? The status is something that i would like as well. Can anyone give me any information? If you are a lawyer that would be even better."
A quick answer to your question is "Try reading 'Full Disclosure, Do You Really Want to Be a Lawyer?' by Susan J. Bell.'"
The books a bit dated now, but the basics are still the same.
The legal profession is not what people often think it is (Boston Legal, The Practice, Law & Order, etc.), so it's hard to say if it would be right for anyone in particular.
Like any other career choice, there are well paid attorneys and not-so-well-paid attorneys. And like any other careeer choice there are good attorneys and bad attorneys. Better attorneys generally get paid more than bad attorneys. Tax attorneys generally get paid well. But personal injury attorneys can get paid well too. Attorneys serving a public interest (the idealists) often get paid the least-- but still enough to put food on the table.
If you're in it for the money and the status, then get in line: Too many attorneys are in it for all the wrong reasons and the legal system-- and all the ordinary people who by necessity must use the legal system-- suffer as a result.
Since, generally speaking, the cheapest law schools start around $20,000 a year-- and most cost much more-- it's not a choice to make on a whim for most people. You'll need to take the LSAT. And you'll need to spend three to seven years in law school (depending on if you go full or part time). And you'll have to pass your state bar exam when you finish. Each of those milestones may represent your own little Hell. And when you're all done with that you'll probably never do anything like all three of those things again-- instead spending some years learning how the law is actually practiced in your particular jurisdiction.
Read that book. And think hard on that choice. Because the last thing the world needs is another lawyer that isn't in it for the right reasons.
2007-03-20 01:17:43 · answer #1 · answered by ParaNYC 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Is Lawyer A Good Career
2016-12-31 03:29:58 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2014-11-02 09:59:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
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RE:
Is being a lawyer a good career choice?
I am thinking about doing a law degree, but I am unsure as to whether or not it would be right for me. I have heard lots about how lawyers have to work really long hours, but also I know they get paid really well. How many actually get paid the really big wages? The status is something that i would...
2015-08-19 06:24:07 · answer #4 · answered by Gaby 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a lawyer and have been one for more than 20 years. Law is nothing like what you see on TV. Law is a competitive profession that is pretty much all about money (it is NOT about justice and fairness). Jobs in law are scarce and, while some pay enormously well, most do not. The hours are endless even in jobs that pay zilch. Moreover, getting a job outside of the profession can be very difficult as the degree frightens a lot of people. They think you are after their job. Before you decide on law, I would suggest you get a job in a law firm and see the profession from the inside. Law school, even at a fourth tier school, will set you back over $100,000 (and yes, it makes a huge difference where you go to school). Make sure you know what you are getting yourself into before you take on that kind of debt.
2016-03-20 06:32:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm a paralegal and work with lawyers every day. The reason you hear that they work really long hours is because they have a tremendous amount of student loan debt. If you're independently wealthy or have someone that will foot the bill, then by all means. If you're a man of limited resources though, you may want to consider becoming a paralegal. You get all the benefits of working for a firm or private company without any of the crazy student loans or personal liability. I know several paralegals who make more than attorneys and they set their own hours. I love being a paralegal and I find my work very intellectually stimulating. Lawyers make dirt when they get out of law school and there is no guarantee that you will pass the bar! This is especially true in states like NY and CA where the pass rate is extremely low. Interview some attorneys and ask them what they think of their profession. Talk to paralegals who work in firms and for private companies and see what the job satisfaction level of each is. In my opinion, being a paralegal in a legal department of a corporation is amazing. You couldn't pay me enough money to go to law school. No thanks.
2007-03-20 01:24:53 · answer #6 · answered by answerguru 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Is Law A Good Career
2016-10-15 22:07:59 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a lawyer is a super duper career choice. Good Luck!
2007-03-20 00:40:01 · answer #8 · answered by Louise Smith 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Depends what type of law you want to practice. Obviously, there is criminal law -- but you will not get any "big bucks" working as a public defender or district attorney.
There is also matrimonial law, corporate law, and any number of specialties such as mergers & acquisitions, estate planning, medical malpractice, etc...
And all jobs require long hours and hard work if you are going to make something of yourself and earn money.
2007-03-20 00:42:38 · answer #9 · answered by kja63 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if you can sleep at night after stretching, bending and eventually breaking the truth. If not then you better switch to prosecutor. Defense lawyers seem to get stuck defending the reasons a crime was committed rather than whether a crime was committed.
2007-03-20 00:44:03 · answer #10 · answered by Paladin 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋