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What is the life of a lawyer like?
Specific details and qualifications for each. Pay, hours, mindset, traits, family life, degrees.
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DENNIS’s Answer
Hi Marreen: Interesting question! A great deal depends on the area of law you choose to practice - some pay more, some less. The field also dictates the hours. Many lawyers opt to work for companies that work them 9-5. Others demand a great deal of attention to many items that require long hours. In New York - where I practiced - there are different types of firms that handle different issues. Tax lawyers are slammed this time of year. Trial lawyer - like me - had to put in long hours when I was on trial - which was often. So the money and hours will depend on the field you elect to enter. Next is family life. I raised 2 kids and coached baseball and soccer for the kids. Went to most of their games until high school when it was no longer practable to do. Mind set is a hard one. Some cases you love some you hate. However, when you have a client you do your very best for everyone of them - love it or hate it! As to degrees - you need to get a college degree than a law degree then pass the Bar Exam. California - like New York - has a very hard Bar Exam. Tough test.
I love being a lawyer. I get to fight for people I care about. It stinks when you lose but it is great when you win! I wouldn't change it for anything. However, it is not for everyone. Some lawyers hate it because it is so demanding. Good luck. Remember, it's the journey to get to a profession that should be fun!
I love being a lawyer. I get to fight for people I care about. It stinks when you lose but it is great when you win! I wouldn't change it for anything. However, it is not for everyone. Some lawyers hate it because it is so demanding. Good luck. Remember, it's the journey to get to a profession that should be fun!
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Rynae’s Answer
Building on previous insights, it's important to remember that law school equips you with a plethora of valuable skills that are highly transferable, such as meticulous attention to detail, critical thinking, robust communication abilities, and conflict resolution. You can absolutely thrive with a law degree, even in a non-legal field. This could steer you towards an unconventional career path, which in turn could broaden your horizons and make you an even more effective lawyer.
The most successful lawyers are those who are naturally curious. Embrace the unknown and utilize the resources at hand to educate yourself. Be open to defending viewpoints that you may not personally agree with. Be willing to compromise, understanding that sometimes you need to give a little to gain a lot. Be ready to bravely face challenges and embrace hard work. Always be open to change.
Your position or area of practice might require you to make sacrifices in your personal life, particularly when it comes to family time. However, many individuals navigate their career paths in ways that allow them to strike the right balance. Over time, with effective time and project management, it's possible to improve this balance. Always remember, your journey in law is not just about the destination, but also about the growth and learning that comes along the way.
The most successful lawyers are those who are naturally curious. Embrace the unknown and utilize the resources at hand to educate yourself. Be open to defending viewpoints that you may not personally agree with. Be willing to compromise, understanding that sometimes you need to give a little to gain a lot. Be ready to bravely face challenges and embrace hard work. Always be open to change.
Your position or area of practice might require you to make sacrifices in your personal life, particularly when it comes to family time. However, many individuals navigate their career paths in ways that allow them to strike the right balance. Over time, with effective time and project management, it's possible to improve this balance. Always remember, your journey in law is not just about the destination, but also about the growth and learning that comes along the way.
Updated
Mary’s Answer
Being a part of the legal profession is truly an adventure. It's like being a juggler, managing different roles, tasks, clients, and areas of law. Being organized and having a keen eye for detail is absolutely essential. The face of the legal profession can change dramatically depending on where you work and who you're working for. If you're in a corporate setting, your clients could be individuals, entire departments, or the organization itself. Your role is to provide the best advice and support tailored to their unique needs.
Staying updated with the ever-evolving laws and legal landscape is a must, as well as keeping tabs on corporate and policy changes. Being adaptable is the name of the game here. It's crucial to tailor your work or task to suit your audience. Yes, the hours can be long, but don't worry, there are roles within the legal profession that offer a better work-life balance.
The pay is generally quite attractive, often higher than non-legal roles in the corporate world. But remember, it's all about finding your own balance. Always put your mental and physical health at the top of your priority list. It's a challenging journey, but with the right mindset, it's an incredibly rewarding one.
Staying updated with the ever-evolving laws and legal landscape is a must, as well as keeping tabs on corporate and policy changes. Being adaptable is the name of the game here. It's crucial to tailor your work or task to suit your audience. Yes, the hours can be long, but don't worry, there are roles within the legal profession that offer a better work-life balance.
The pay is generally quite attractive, often higher than non-legal roles in the corporate world. But remember, it's all about finding your own balance. Always put your mental and physical health at the top of your priority list. It's a challenging journey, but with the right mindset, it's an incredibly rewarding one.
Updated
Stefanie’s Answer
Hi Maureen -- good question! The field of law is very broad, so there are different types of law that might attract different types of people with different interests. For example, there are trial lawyers/litigators who go to court, and there are corporate lawyers who might spend most of their time reviewing and writing contracts. Overall, I'd say you have to enjoy and have skills in reading, writing and analyzing, and for certain types of law, you have to like to argue and to speak/present publicly. You also have to be ok with a lot of school :-) since you'll have to earn your 4 year college degree, then 3 years of law school. Pay varies, too, depending on the job-- there are government and certain legal/social services organizations that might not pay as well as some big law firms and corporate jobs. In law firms, you tend to earn more money in the bigger firms, in bigger cities, and you might only have a long career there if you bring in clients and become a partner.
Personally, I took some time between college and law school to work in the legal field and see if it was right for me (and to earn some money before going to law school). I worked as a paralegal in a law firm and also at a Prosecutor's office, which was a great experience. Then I went to law school and my first job out of law school, I worked in a big firm. After I had my children, I realized that the long law firm hours were not a good fit for me for work/life balance, and I moved to an in-house Corporate job -- where I found I had a lot more balance in my life (and, also, as it turned out, the pay was significantly more than at my firm). Law firms are great places to start your career - you learn a lot and get great experience - and you have time to learn what other legal careers are out there and might interest you.
Hope that helps!
Good luck!!
Personally, I took some time between college and law school to work in the legal field and see if it was right for me (and to earn some money before going to law school). I worked as a paralegal in a law firm and also at a Prosecutor's office, which was a great experience. Then I went to law school and my first job out of law school, I worked in a big firm. After I had my children, I realized that the long law firm hours were not a good fit for me for work/life balance, and I moved to an in-house Corporate job -- where I found I had a lot more balance in my life (and, also, as it turned out, the pay was significantly more than at my firm). Law firms are great places to start your career - you learn a lot and get great experience - and you have time to learn what other legal careers are out there and might interest you.
Hope that helps!
Good luck!!