2 answers
Grayson
Student
Whitmore Lake, Michigan
15
Questions
Asked
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Is becoming a lawyer worth it??
I want to know if it is worth. Does it pay well normally, is it fun, does it not waste time. #lawyer
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2 answers
Glenn Rowley
Attorney
36
Answers
Dardenne Prairie, Missouri
Updated
Glenn’s Answer
Your question is an insightful one. When you ask "Is it worth it to become a lawyer?" I'm guessing you are asking if you can recoup the cost of law school through increased earnings as a lawyer, versus what you could earn if you had not gone to law school. Of course, the answer to that question depends upon at least four factors: (1) How much your legal education costs; (2) how prestigious your law school is; (3) how well you perform in law school; and (4) the luck of the draw on how the legal job market is when you graduate from law school.
You can't do anything about the fourth factor. But you have some control over the first two factors based on the law school you choose, and that chooses you. You also have a lot of control over how well you perform in law school.
Having said all that, people who graduate at the top of their class from prestigious law schools tend to land jobs that can earn them $200K/year or more. While other people who don't perform well and/or don't attend prestigious law schools can earn as little as $50K/year. The most heartbreaking thing is when people are persuaded to go to very expensive law schools and build up hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, only to find that either the lack of prestige of their law school and/or their poor performance in law school leaves them saddled with crushing debt that they have little realistic possibility of paying off. Some law schools have even been sued for publishing misleading information about the percentage of their graduates that have found jobs and the salaries those graduates are earning. So, be very, very careful in choosing a law school to attend.
You can't do anything about the fourth factor. But you have some control over the first two factors based on the law school you choose, and that chooses you. You also have a lot of control over how well you perform in law school.
Having said all that, people who graduate at the top of their class from prestigious law schools tend to land jobs that can earn them $200K/year or more. While other people who don't perform well and/or don't attend prestigious law schools can earn as little as $50K/year. The most heartbreaking thing is when people are persuaded to go to very expensive law schools and build up hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, only to find that either the lack of prestige of their law school and/or their poor performance in law school leaves them saddled with crushing debt that they have little realistic possibility of paying off. Some law schools have even been sued for publishing misleading information about the percentage of their graduates that have found jobs and the salaries those graduates are earning. So, be very, very careful in choosing a law school to attend.
DENNIS BREEN
Lawyer
147
Answers
Cary, North Carolina
Updated
DENNIS’s Answer
Hi Grayson: Glenn's answer nails the reality of the cost/benifits of law. The better the school the better job You Will PROBABLY get upon graduation. No guarantees!
I am a "semi-retired" lawyer from New York City. I must admit, 99% of the lawyers, judges and clerks I met over my 37 years of practice were the finest people I have ever known. Generally we had a few laughs, fought hard on our cases, but, in the end , generally respected each other. I was a trial lawyer. Was in different Courts and before different Judges all the time. Some years I made a lot of money some years not so much. Generally, I have no regrets. However, I know a ton of lawyers who HATED it everyday. It is a stressful job. Bosses, like everywhere, can be a pain. Judges can be demanding and unfair. Clients can be needy! However, in the end it's what you make of it! It is also challenging and a constant learning curve. Often, it's like sports. No matter how much you try or how good your team, sometimes you lose.It's heartbreaking. Then there are times you win cases that are impossible and it makes you feel like you just won the world series! So Grayson, the practice of law is what YOU make it! If you go into law just to make money - forget it. If you go into law because you like a challenge - do it. Either way, be true to yourself and you'll never go wrong!
I am a "semi-retired" lawyer from New York City. I must admit, 99% of the lawyers, judges and clerks I met over my 37 years of practice were the finest people I have ever known. Generally we had a few laughs, fought hard on our cases, but, in the end , generally respected each other. I was a trial lawyer. Was in different Courts and before different Judges all the time. Some years I made a lot of money some years not so much. Generally, I have no regrets. However, I know a ton of lawyers who HATED it everyday. It is a stressful job. Bosses, like everywhere, can be a pain. Judges can be demanding and unfair. Clients can be needy! However, in the end it's what you make of it! It is also challenging and a constant learning curve. Often, it's like sports. No matter how much you try or how good your team, sometimes you lose.It's heartbreaking. Then there are times you win cases that are impossible and it makes you feel like you just won the world series! So Grayson, the practice of law is what YOU make it! If you go into law just to make money - forget it. If you go into law because you like a challenge - do it. Either way, be true to yourself and you'll never go wrong!