4 answers
Mya
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
1
Question
Updated
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What is the hardest part about being a Lawyer?
I would like to study law when I go to college.
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4 answers
Marva Levine
Attorney
12
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Marva’s Answer
Great question. I think the hardest part of being a lawyer is the same as any career - there will be parts of your job that you don't like. Whether it is doing something that you find boring, or dealing with difficult people, or working long hours, or something else. There are very few jobs that are perfect all time time. The goal is to find the career that will fit your talents, strengths and personality and be mostly enjoyable to you.
Stephen Jenkins
Attorney
4
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Stephen’s Answer
Mya:
I think the hardest thing for me was the inherent bias in the legal education system. It is geared towards white people. It's not to say you can't overcome it, but it can be really challenging when professors and classmates don't see their own bias.
I would say be yourself and know how you learn the best. Be kind to yourself. Seek out community, and find the joy.
I think the hardest thing for me was the inherent bias in the legal education system. It is geared towards white people. It's not to say you can't overcome it, but it can be really challenging when professors and classmates don't see their own bias.
I would say be yourself and know how you learn the best. Be kind to yourself. Seek out community, and find the joy.
Edward Overtree
Senior Counsel
57
Answers
Pennsylvania, PA
Updated
Edward’s Answer
The learning curve. Law schools don't teach students how to be a lawyer, simply because nearly all law professors have never been lawyers. Elizabeth "Fauxcahontas" Warren is probably the most notorious example.
Consequently, you have to find real lawyers to help you learn AFTER law school. This is getting more and more difficult as most lawyers don't have the money to spend/lose on training new recruits.
Don't begin by yourself; try to work at first where there are numerous lawyers to learn from. Ask around to find out who are the best lawyers (everyone will know), then volunteer to each of them to help (in return for getting to watch how they do it!)
In my first job with a firm of 40 lawyers, I found out three of them were the best. Each of the three was glad to have help. I did their scutwork and clerical work, which made them more productive and allowed me to observe and learn.
Consequently, you have to find real lawyers to help you learn AFTER law school. This is getting more and more difficult as most lawyers don't have the money to spend/lose on training new recruits.
Don't begin by yourself; try to work at first where there are numerous lawyers to learn from. Ask around to find out who are the best lawyers (everyone will know), then volunteer to each of them to help (in return for getting to watch how they do it!)
In my first job with a firm of 40 lawyers, I found out three of them were the best. Each of the three was glad to have help. I did their scutwork and clerical work, which made them more productive and allowed me to observe and learn.
Ishaan SAHNI
Associate Software Engineer
4
Answers
New Delhi, Delhi, India
Updated
Ishaan’s Answer
Hey Mya
To begin with there is nothing hard, given that it lies under your area of interest.
Being a lawyer brings with itself long intense working hours, working with strict deadlines and also grappling with multiple cases at once.
But one thing to keep in mind is at the end of the day, working in the industry you love, all this stress and "working under pressure" will be all worth it.
To begin with there is nothing hard, given that it lies under your area of interest.
Being a lawyer brings with itself long intense working hours, working with strict deadlines and also grappling with multiple cases at once.
But one thing to keep in mind is at the end of the day, working in the industry you love, all this stress and "working under pressure" will be all worth it.