4 answers
Marialexa
Student
Barranquilla, Atlantico, Colombia
1
Question
Asked
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Hi, I just wanted to know how it is to be a lawyer? When studying and once you've already graduated. How is the whole experience?
I've been thinking a lot about becoming a lawyer since I want to help people get the justice they deserve. I can be very disciplined and dedicated if I actually want to do something and I wanted to know how it would be to actually be a lawyer, and if it would be the right choice.
#lawyers #attorney #law #lawyer #career
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4 answers
David Flemate
Content designer
2
Answers
San Mateo, California
Updated
David’s Answer
Hi Marialexa,
Great questions!
There are many kinds of lawyers and many paths to arrive there.
I would suggest exploring all you can to learn about the kinds of law you're curious about. Civil or criminal? Would you prefer to be an advocate for individuals, businesses, or governments?
Whatever your interest, the common thread for all attorneys is they must pass a bar exam.
There are a variety of skills needed to be a successful attorney.
Writing, editing, organizing, and research skills are key. Preparation of a case can be very involved.
I considered getting a law degree. My high school counselor arranged for me to attend a deposition and to meet an attorney.
At my university, I joined a pre-law club and even took a Practice Law School Admissions Exam.
Good luck with your explorations!
Look up and learn about lawyers in your area. Linkedin profiles can be a good place to start.
If you see opportunities to meet attorneys or to visit a law school.
If you're really interested, consider looking for internship opportunities with a firm practicing the types of law that interest you most.
Look at different types of attorneys.
Great questions!
There are many kinds of lawyers and many paths to arrive there.
I would suggest exploring all you can to learn about the kinds of law you're curious about. Civil or criminal? Would you prefer to be an advocate for individuals, businesses, or governments?
Whatever your interest, the common thread for all attorneys is they must pass a bar exam.
There are a variety of skills needed to be a successful attorney.
Writing, editing, organizing, and research skills are key. Preparation of a case can be very involved.
I considered getting a law degree. My high school counselor arranged for me to attend a deposition and to meet an attorney.
At my university, I joined a pre-law club and even took a Practice Law School Admissions Exam.
Good luck with your explorations!
David recommends the following next steps:
Thank you, David!! This was quite helpful!
Marialexa
David gave some great advice.
You might also explore some other careers in this field. I worked as a paralegal and supported many different lawyers. I had exposure to different types of class action lawsuits. I loved doing all the research and working closely with a legal team.
Denise Day
Cindie Horton
Sr. Manager - Data Privacy
29
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Cindie’s Answer
Hi Marialexa. I think it's quite forward thinking of you to ask what it's like to work in a field.
Helping people to get the justice people deserve is very broad, but given the current environment, I infer that you're most likely interested in helping those who do not have the resources to hire better representation. There are a number of ways to go about getting into this line of work; one is that when you obtain your law degree and are licensed to practice, you sign up to be a public defender. Public defenders typically have very heavy work loads so you can expect to work long hours. Moreover, the law can be complex and getting the needed details to defend someone effectively can take time.
Another approach to helping people to get justice is to work for a company that supports their legal team members to do pro bono (i.e. free) work on the company's time. Many--mostly large companies--allow this as this is how they as a company show their commitment to social justice.
My recommendation to you is to ask your teachers if they know of anyone who is in the legal field and then set up time to ask the some questions. By taking in a number of perspectives, you can begin to hone in on the path that you want to take.
Lastly, the time--4+ years undergraduate plus 2 to 3 years of law school--and money to get a law degree is substantial. Before you make an investment in this area of study, you'll certainly want to do as much research as possible. Realize, unless you or your family can pay for this education, you will likely have substantial debt that will take, more than likely, a lot of time to repay. If you aren't rewarded--whether it's satisfaction in the job and/or being paid well--substantially enough to offset the cost, it will be quite a quick path to becoming a bitter and resentful person.
I've included some links below that may give you more information.
Best wishes to you as you progress on your journey through life!
Warmly,
Cindie
The Life of a Public Defender: https://youtu.be/jTFv_JguYIQ
Public Defender Career: https://www.shmoop.com/careers/public-defender/
A Day in the Life of a Public Defender: https://www.triallawyerscollege.org/blog/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-public-defender/
A day in the life of a public defender: https://www.offtheeatenpathblog.com/day-life-public-defender/
Helping people to get the justice people deserve is very broad, but given the current environment, I infer that you're most likely interested in helping those who do not have the resources to hire better representation. There are a number of ways to go about getting into this line of work; one is that when you obtain your law degree and are licensed to practice, you sign up to be a public defender. Public defenders typically have very heavy work loads so you can expect to work long hours. Moreover, the law can be complex and getting the needed details to defend someone effectively can take time.
Another approach to helping people to get justice is to work for a company that supports their legal team members to do pro bono (i.e. free) work on the company's time. Many--mostly large companies--allow this as this is how they as a company show their commitment to social justice.
My recommendation to you is to ask your teachers if they know of anyone who is in the legal field and then set up time to ask the some questions. By taking in a number of perspectives, you can begin to hone in on the path that you want to take.
Lastly, the time--4+ years undergraduate plus 2 to 3 years of law school--and money to get a law degree is substantial. Before you make an investment in this area of study, you'll certainly want to do as much research as possible. Realize, unless you or your family can pay for this education, you will likely have substantial debt that will take, more than likely, a lot of time to repay. If you aren't rewarded--whether it's satisfaction in the job and/or being paid well--substantially enough to offset the cost, it will be quite a quick path to becoming a bitter and resentful person.
I've included some links below that may give you more information.
Best wishes to you as you progress on your journey through life!
Warmly,
Cindie
Cindie recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much, Cindie! This was extremely helpful, I will definitely check out those sites. Thank you again!
Marialexa
Eric Goldberg
Attorney
2
Answers
Bethesda, Maryland
Updated
Eric’s Answer
Hi Marialexa, I am a lawyer and to answer your question, I think it's pretty awesome. From your note it sounds like you are thinking about becoming a litigator, perhaps doing criminal defense work. Or maybe you are interested in immigration law. The truth is that a law degree will open a lot of doors for you, professionally.
The truth is that it takes a lot of time, hard work and probably money to get there. After you finish four years of college and three years of law school, you will sit for a "bar exam" in at least one state. These exams are given in February and July and in most states take two full days to complete (6 hours per day of testing). Some states like NY have a three day exam.
When you pass the bar, you are licensed to practice law in that state. But really, you are now just at the very beginning of what it takes to become a good lawyer.
Law schools teach you the law. Working will teach you to become a lawyer. And it will take many years of doing it until you feel like you really know what you are doing.
The rewards can be great. It is greatly satisfying knowing that you are working to help people.
Regarding the cost of going to law school. I have always believed that the most important investment you can make is in yourself. You can make decent money as a lawyer but the cost of college and law school tuition can feel prohibitive. Do not let this discourage you. Find the scholarships, go to state schools, go at night and work during the day, whatever. Try to finish school with as little debt as you can, but also take the long view. On average, your earning potential will be far greater with a law degree.
Talk to several lawyers about what they like and do not like about their jobs.
Sit in on a law school class or two -- either virtually or in person. - so you can get a feel for how law professors teach using the "Socratic Method."
Take a look at a practice LSAT - the law school equivalent of the SAT.
Go to the courthouse and sit in a court room where the kinds of cases you are interested in are being heard.
The truth is that it takes a lot of time, hard work and probably money to get there. After you finish four years of college and three years of law school, you will sit for a "bar exam" in at least one state. These exams are given in February and July and in most states take two full days to complete (6 hours per day of testing). Some states like NY have a three day exam.
When you pass the bar, you are licensed to practice law in that state. But really, you are now just at the very beginning of what it takes to become a good lawyer.
Law schools teach you the law. Working will teach you to become a lawyer. And it will take many years of doing it until you feel like you really know what you are doing.
The rewards can be great. It is greatly satisfying knowing that you are working to help people.
Regarding the cost of going to law school. I have always believed that the most important investment you can make is in yourself. You can make decent money as a lawyer but the cost of college and law school tuition can feel prohibitive. Do not let this discourage you. Find the scholarships, go to state schools, go at night and work during the day, whatever. Try to finish school with as little debt as you can, but also take the long view. On average, your earning potential will be far greater with a law degree.
Eric recommends the following next steps:
Drew Mitty
Software Sales
4
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Drew’s Answer
To be accepted to law school for an American Bar Association-approved law school, you need to take an admission exam. This combined with your grade point average will be used to determine whether a law school will admit you into their program. In the US, a Juris Doctor (J.D.) is obtained by a student to prepare them to sit for a state bar exam. After passing the bar exam, the student is admitted to the bar and can practice law in that state provided they meet certain requirements.
Law school is expensive, but the financial rewards are there to support the investment. Areas of law like Personal Injury, Corporate, Insurance, Commercial Litigation, Real Estate, and Intellectual Property are all lucrative areas of practice. Public interest law like working for a non-profit or a public defender pay substantially less. Your daily work will be quite different if you pursue criminal law vs. corporate law.
Law school is expensive, but the financial rewards are there to support the investment. Areas of law like Personal Injury, Corporate, Insurance, Commercial Litigation, Real Estate, and Intellectual Property are all lucrative areas of practice. Public interest law like working for a non-profit or a public defender pay substantially less. Your daily work will be quite different if you pursue criminal law vs. corporate law.