For Lawyers, Would you do it all over again?

Question

I'm so confused. I got accepted to law school last year and decided to take a year off to think about it. I got reaccepted this year and am supposed to start in a month, I just started reading a book "Law School Confidential" and most of the lawyers in the book say that they don't really like what they do, and they are completely in debt from their loans so they realistically will probably never be able to do anything else. They are also describing the atmosphere of law school as entirely competitive and non-idealistic. I am a free spirited person and the whole reason I want to go to law school was to make a change. But I also want to have a family. Is law school for me? And would you do it again?

Answer 1

You have to know yourself. A lot of people go through law school for the prestige. They come out of it and then go and work. Some hardly last a month before they decide they dislike law.

On the other hand, there are people who are genuinely interested in law, politics and debating etc. If you're one of those, then you'll like law, but nonetheless, it is a stressful job. But if you like it and do well in the arena, then you won't mind the stress right?

There are a lot of other things you can do with a law degree than simply go to court. Loads of politicians have law degrees. Many people become legal advisors in MNC's and smaller companies. This latter job is less stressful than going to court is.

Law school will be competitive. You have to accept that competition for law school is great, and those who get in are probably competitive, hardworking and go-getters. If you got in, you probably have what it takes to come out with great grades. The question is whether you'll be happy though.

You cannot always believe what other say, but at the same time, don't completely disregard advice. Ponder over it, and get views and opinions from actual lawyers.

If you're free-spirited, have an opinion and want to be heard for what YOU believe in, then perhaps courtroom law isn't the best thing for you. However, law can still be the thing for you. especially if you become a legal advocate for good causes- like people in sweatshops in poor countries. You can do that out of your own will. Once again, it is law out of the court room!

Having a family. You're a female I assume (from your avatar). I once went for a law briefing where this high-flying female lawyer told us "I play the role of a father. I don't see my kids much, and I don't know what subjects they are taking and what classes they are in. But I made a sacrifice and I'm not sorry for it."

A lot of people scoffed at her. There are plenty of women with law degrees (both working in and out of the courtroom) who have family lives. If you want both, you will find some way. Furthermore, you do not have to be a courtroom lawyer, like I have stressed several times. You can definitely have a family if you want to.

You have to decide whether you are doing this for somebody else or yourself. You have to know what your options are with a law degree. You have to know whether you are willing to join the competition in law school. You have to consider what changes you can make, since this was one of your main reasons for doing law.

Explore on the net, and talk to lawyers. However, do not read one single book and let that be the deciding factor for you.

Edit: Good luck! And I hope you're happy with whatever decision you make!

Answer 2

Law school distills the worst people on earth into one place - professors included. The Bush administration has gutted Bankruptcy law, tort law, patent law, the Supreme Ct will not grant review on less and less cases - hard to make a "killer living" with a system like that. Now, if you "love the law" - IE romaticize about reading the works of Judges "Learned Hand-Job" , Posner & also love long hours spent in the library and writing dull memoranda, briefs and complaints about things that are dull as dishwater - by all means - have at it. It is only LA Law for those that choose the litigator route. As far as debt - law school is a complete financial shake down - starting with the "non-profit" law services - IE the ones who administer the LSAT & like to examine your colon given the chance. Go to med school before the word gets out that there are too many lawyers going to law school and chasing too few bucks .. You will do fine as a lawyer if that is what you want to do - but you are asking the right questions . I personally would never marry a lawyer ..wouldnt dream of it ..