3 answers
coleman
Student
Wagoner, Oklahoma
1
Question
3 answers
Heather deBettencourt
attorney
1
Answer
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Heather’s Answer
For a decade now, I've been honing my skills while maintaining a fantastic equilibrium between my professional and personal life. My field of expertise is insurance defense, where I work internally for an insurance firm. My work hours typically align with the standard 9-5 schedule, ensuring a healthy work-life balance. However, there are times when my workload increases due to trials or depositions, requiring me to put in extra hours or even work during the night.
I'm fortunate to have more than a month's worth of vacation days, further contributing to my excellent work-life balance.
On the other hand, I have acquaintances in large law firms who earn twice as much as I do but are subjected to grueling 12-hour work days, from 7am to 7pm. From my observations, these lawyers often experience rapid burnout and tend not to stay long in such demanding environments.
I'm fortunate to have more than a month's worth of vacation days, further contributing to my excellent work-life balance.
On the other hand, I have acquaintances in large law firms who earn twice as much as I do but are subjected to grueling 12-hour work days, from 7am to 7pm. From my observations, these lawyers often experience rapid burnout and tend not to stay long in such demanding environments.
DENNIS BREEN
Lawyer
148
Answers
Cary, North Carolina
Updated
DENNIS’s Answer
Coleman: As my Mother use to say: "You get out of things what you put into things"! Being a lawyer is much the same.
I have been a lawyer for over 40 years. Started doing criminal defense - hated it. Switched to Insuranse defense where I spent the next 21 years doing trials as a defense lawyer. Doing trials can be stressful but can be fun. Tried some great cases, made some law that remains to this day and met great people - all in New York City. After that I became a Plaintiff's Injury lawyer. That has more stress but in the end it is very rewarding when you see that your efforts have actually helped a person and family recover for a loss. I did this for 19 years in New York City. I worked with great people and had many interesting clients.
So as you contemplate a career in law remember - you will get out of it what you put in. The education can be expensive but...I did it and I was stone cold broke. I worked 20 plus hours a week for Lexis which helped. I also got out in 2 1/2 years which saved money by going to summer school and working. Plus the education will open doors - doors I never knew even existed.
Coleman, go out and have fun. If law is right for you you will find your own path. And remember what my Mother said!
I have been a lawyer for over 40 years. Started doing criminal defense - hated it. Switched to Insuranse defense where I spent the next 21 years doing trials as a defense lawyer. Doing trials can be stressful but can be fun. Tried some great cases, made some law that remains to this day and met great people - all in New York City. After that I became a Plaintiff's Injury lawyer. That has more stress but in the end it is very rewarding when you see that your efforts have actually helped a person and family recover for a loss. I did this for 19 years in New York City. I worked with great people and had many interesting clients.
So as you contemplate a career in law remember - you will get out of it what you put in. The education can be expensive but...I did it and I was stone cold broke. I worked 20 plus hours a week for Lexis which helped. I also got out in 2 1/2 years which saved money by going to summer school and working. Plus the education will open doors - doors I never knew even existed.
Coleman, go out and have fun. If law is right for you you will find your own path. And remember what my Mother said!
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1616
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Unsurprisingly Coleman, there are significant benefits to being a lawyer. Understanding what these benefits are can be a deciding factor in pursuing a law degree.
FINANCIAL BENEFITS
Perhaps one of the most obvious benefits of being a lawyer is the financial benefit. Today, attorneys in the United States can expect to earn somewhere between $60k to $110k annually, or more. The high salary in this line of work often draws people towards a legal career.
PRESTIGE AND RESPECT
Lawyers, especially those who come from reputable firms, are considered respectable and prestigious by most people in society. Plus, the level of authority that goes along with being highly educated comes almost naturally to a lawyer.
FLEXIBLE HOURS
Despite the unpredictability of a lawyer’s schedule, there’s usually time for at least a short vacation each year. Plus, if a lawyer chooses to own a private practice, their hours can usually be as flexible as they’d like.
Like in any profession, being a lawyer also has its disadvantages. Some surveys even show that law is one of the toughest professions in the U.S.
HIGH-STRESS ENVIRONMENT
Lawyers must get used to stressful situations, even while in law school. Unfortunately, many lawyers suffer from poor work-life balance and work stress because of the long hours that are typically spent working. In a large law firm, lawyers sometimes spend anywhere from 60 to 90 hours a week at work.
DIFFICULT CLIENTS
Sometimes lawyers just can’t avoid getting difficult clients. Some attorneys who work in law firms might not be able to choose their clients, which increases their chances of working with someone they find challenging or even a client with opposing morals. These lawyers still need to do their best to represent their client, no matter how difficult they may be.
REPUTATION
Lawyers tend to get a bad reputation because of how they are sometimes represented through the media. Unfortunately, even the most successful lawyer is not immune from the negative stigma the profession sometimes gets.
EDUCATIONAL COSTS
More often than not, new lawyers are still trying to pay off their student loans. This isn’t surprising, considering that educational expenses in the best law schools in the U.S. can reach up to $150k a year. This cost doesn’t account for other expenses, such as food and housing accommodations.
FINANCIAL BENEFITS
Perhaps one of the most obvious benefits of being a lawyer is the financial benefit. Today, attorneys in the United States can expect to earn somewhere between $60k to $110k annually, or more. The high salary in this line of work often draws people towards a legal career.
PRESTIGE AND RESPECT
Lawyers, especially those who come from reputable firms, are considered respectable and prestigious by most people in society. Plus, the level of authority that goes along with being highly educated comes almost naturally to a lawyer.
FLEXIBLE HOURS
Despite the unpredictability of a lawyer’s schedule, there’s usually time for at least a short vacation each year. Plus, if a lawyer chooses to own a private practice, their hours can usually be as flexible as they’d like.
Like in any profession, being a lawyer also has its disadvantages. Some surveys even show that law is one of the toughest professions in the U.S.
HIGH-STRESS ENVIRONMENT
Lawyers must get used to stressful situations, even while in law school. Unfortunately, many lawyers suffer from poor work-life balance and work stress because of the long hours that are typically spent working. In a large law firm, lawyers sometimes spend anywhere from 60 to 90 hours a week at work.
DIFFICULT CLIENTS
Sometimes lawyers just can’t avoid getting difficult clients. Some attorneys who work in law firms might not be able to choose their clients, which increases their chances of working with someone they find challenging or even a client with opposing morals. These lawyers still need to do their best to represent their client, no matter how difficult they may be.
REPUTATION
Lawyers tend to get a bad reputation because of how they are sometimes represented through the media. Unfortunately, even the most successful lawyer is not immune from the negative stigma the profession sometimes gets.
EDUCATIONAL COSTS
More often than not, new lawyers are still trying to pay off their student loans. This isn’t surprising, considering that educational expenses in the best law schools in the U.S. can reach up to $150k a year. This cost doesn’t account for other expenses, such as food and housing accommodations.