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Is Lawyer a healthy career?

So I’ve been investigating about law, and I found out that lawyers are really miserable. I know they give great salary, but I don’t want to spend the rest of my life miserable. I need advice from lawyers

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DENNIS’s Answer

Hi Valentina: Interesting question! I have been a lawyer for over 40 years. It has had it's good times and it's bad times. My wife is also a lawyer and she did not like it. I also know a lot of lawyers who hate being lawyers.

I loved it. I tried cases in NYC for 39 years. Civil cases only - did not like criminal cases. However, as a civil trial attorney you had to learn new things all the time. You had to learn about construction, autos, products, and medicine. You had to learn all the time. Plus, in court you were dealing with new challenges all the time.
However, there is a lot of pressure and, frankly, other lawyers can be jerks. However, if you take it all in stride and keep a thick skin it will be fine!

Valentina, I do not want to mislead you. As my Mom use to tell me, "Life is what you make it". Same thing applies to a legal profession - it is what you make of it. I enjoyed helping people and fighting for things I believed in. Plus, you can use a legal education in many other professions. You seem to be leaning towards a legal career. Go for it! But remember, the best lawyers are the ones who are true to themselves. If you are honest with yourself and true to your core beliefs I am sure you will be a great lawyer. Good luck, Dennis
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Jennifer’s Answer

Hi Valentina

Sorry that you have encountered some miserable lawyers. I want to assure you that we are not all like that!

I have been a lawyer for 15 years and I have found it to be a rewarding career as the work is interesting and varied. It can be difficult too e.g. long working hours, demanding clients, but there are ways you can manage this to help you to remain happy and healthy e.g. choosing an area of law that you enjoy, setting boundaries around working hours, focussing on the things you can control, taking good care of yourself, finding an employer that cares about its employees' wellbeing.

I hope this helps and I wish you all the best with your future career whether you decide to become a lawyer or not.

Jennifer
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Anthony’s Answer

Very healthy career. The money IS great too. You need to be able to express yourself eloquently and have great manners and grammar. Go for it! There are all kinds of directions that you can go too.
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Mackenzie’s Answer

It's not accurate to generalize that all lawyers are miserable. The legal profession, like any other, encompasses a wide range of experiences and emotions. Some lawyers find great satisfaction and fulfillment in their work, while others may experience challenges and stress.

Long hours, intense pressure, and emotionally challenging cases can impact mental health. Many law schools and legal organizations are increasingly focusing on mental health and well-being.

I have only been practicing for a year but I really like what I do. The money definitely doesnt hurt and makes the long hours way more manageable because you can afford convenience sometimes. The profession definitely has a bad rep but you should reach out to lawyers in fields you are interested in and ask them about their personal experiences.
Thank you comment icon Thanks for the advice. Valentina
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Dino’s Answer

Hi Valentina! Thank you so much for reaching out to us. I can really sense your enthusiasm in learning about the legal profession, and it's fantastic that you've already done your homework on what it's like to be a lawyer. You know, when I was in high school, being a lawyer was my third choice too! I have friends who are now thriving in their legal careers and I often get the chance to collaborate with them on matters such as annulment, violence against women and children, and adoption.

It's important to remember that there will be challenges in any profession, and that's completely normal. In fact, encountering challenges is what helps us grow, improve and become experts in our chosen careers. The experiences and stories you've read about lawyers might vary as they are based on individual experiences, but difficulties and hardships are all part of the journey.

You'll find that in the field of law, there's a wide range of specialties to choose from, such as criminal law, corporate law, labor law, immigration law, and many more. This means that you'll have the opportunity to find your niche and focus on what truly interests you. As you continue to explore this potential profession, keep in mind that every career has its downsides, and it's important not to base your decision solely on factors like salary or stress levels. Instead, focus on finding a lifelong career that brings you joy and fulfillment.

Take some time to thoughtfully evaluate your personality, abilities, and aptitudes to ensure your chosen profession aligns with your unique strengths and passion. When you find that perfect fit and truly love what you're doing, work will feel less like a job and more like an exciting opportunity to make a difference. Valentina, I believe in you! Keep pursuing your dreams and you'll thrive wherever life takes you. Good luck!

Dino recommends the following next steps:

Dig deeper
Research different specialization in the field of law and try to compare and contrast each.
Interview different lawyers with different specialization so that you would hear different perspectives.
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