how does lawyer and math work togeher

by Maximus Maggio MD 9 min read

Full Answer

How do lawyers use math in their jobs?

Patent lawyers also use math as part of their cases to scientifically prove or disprove a patent liability. Securities lawyers calculate equity, debt and capital structure in disclosure documents.

What kind of math classes should lawyers take?

There's no universal consensus on what types of undergraduate math classes future lawyers should take.

Why do so many math majors become patent lawyers?

From an applied math view, being able to check the stats and whatnot that a contract is based on seems reasonable (like in insurance). Finally, for both types of math majors, you are likely to have friends in the CS, physics, and other science departments. Those people will always need patent lawyers to make them some money.

Should law students with a math background take math in school?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that law students with math backgrounds may benefit in two ways during law school. Some classes, such as tax law, require mathematical calculations.

image

Do you use math in being a lawyer?

Attorneys use mathematical skills such as problem solving and logic in their everyday business activities. Much like a math problem, attorneys in court need to illustrate step-by-step their knowledge of the case.

Why is math important for a lawyer?

Analytical Skills Mathematics requires an understanding of numbers, formulas and proofs that can train the mind to think logically. This can be particularly important for attorneys who are dealing with emotionally charged cases, as well as in the courtroom or during intense negotiations.

What type of math is used in lawyer?

The pre-calculus mathematics recommended by the ABA and anecdotal suggestions by math majors who became lawyers, imply that future lawyers should at a minimum take undergraduate courses in college algebra, trigonometry, geometry, logic and statistics.

How do we use math in court?

Mathematical calculations have been used in the courtroom to convict people of theft, treason, forgery, and even murder. But often, the math involved was wrong — and innocent people were found guilty.

Is there any maths in law?

You don't need mathematics to study law. But your language must be at a high level, however. There's just practically nothing in law that requires mathematics. Some law programmes have Accounting modules.

Will I be rich if I become a lawyer?

Lawyers and attorneys often earn substantially over the average salary in the country they practice and while for many this will simply lead to a very comfortable upper-middle life, for some who make it to the elite sphere of law, it can lead to vast wealth.

Why is math important for lawyers?

Mathematics requires an understanding of numbers, formulas and proofs that can train the mind to think logically. This can be particularly important for attorneys who are dealing with emotionally charged cases, as well as in the courtroom or during intense negotiations. Strong analytic skills can enable the lawyer to perceive weaknesses in witness stories or in a case made by a legal opponent. In addition, attorneys can use logic to craft persuasive arguments to present before juries and judges.

What are some examples of legal issues in which having some mathematical competency could be useful?

Here are some examples of common legal issues in which having some mathematical competency could be useful: Tax law: The tax system is complicated. Although accountants may do most of the heavy lifting in this practice area, attorneys need to understand the reports and documents that they submit to the authorities.

Why is it important to understand statistics?

Criminal law: Understanding statistics is helpful when reviewing evidence. Although a criminal attorney will likely defer to expert witnesses in many situations, it's important to understand evidence that relies on probability and on other mathematical concepts.

Can an attorney use mathematical principles?

In some practice areas, attorneys may regularly encounter mathematical principles. Although a lawyer may be able to hire a financial or an accounting professional to assist in these cases, but basic proficiency can help the attorney take control of a case and make the best possible decisions as to how the case should proceed.

Does the LSAT have a math section?

Although the LSAT does not include a math section and law schools don't teach math as part of their curricula, basic mathematical competence is useful to attorneys. Many lawyers feel that training in math improved their analytic skills, and there are some branches of legal practice that require lawyers to work with statistics, ...

What do you learn in law school with a math major?

Students majoring in mathematics or physics achieved the highest scores on the Law School Admission Test, or LSAT, according to a study reported by Social Science Research Network. Anecdotal evidence suggests that law students with math backgrounds may benefit in two ways during law school. Some classes, such as tax law, require mathematical calculations. Secondly, law schools teach students a step-by-step method of logical analysis of legal problems called "legal reasoning," which students with math backgrounds may find easier to understand than humanities majors.

What do you need to know to go to law school?

Law schools have traditionally accepted students with undergraduate majors in many different fields, but an American Bar Association (ABA) essay, "Preparing for Law School," currently recommends that undergraduates planning to attend law school acquire "basic mathematical and financial skills, such as an understanding of basic pre-calculus mathematics and an ability to analyze financial data." A look at how law students and lawyers use math skills can provide additional guidance on possible math courses future lawyers may wish to take.

What are the majors in law school?

The most popular undergraduate majors of students entering law school are political science, economics, business administration, history, English and rhetoric. The ABA's recommendation that future lawyers take more undergraduate math classes reflects a gradual shift in legal practice that began in the 1970s toward an increasing use ...

3 attorney answers

I am an employment attorney and often sue companies that discriminate against a person based on their race, creed, color, religion, age, disability or sex.

Ronald Joseph Kim

There are a number of books on the legal profession, aimed at middle school students. I suggest this student read those for his or her project. Having said that, this writer uses math all the time (especially, but not limited to, billing).

Todd Bruce Kotler

There are lots of homework assistance sites on theWeb. This is not one of them. Respecting site Guidelines and Terms of Use is an important skill that you need to develop and nurture.

Why do lawyers need math?

They need math to understand income and liabilities, cash flow and expenses. In addition, lawyers must have a good math sense to leave cash on hand for future outlays. Partners in large firms are given "equity" in the firm, which entitles them to a percentage of the firm's overall profits. Lawyers with equity must calculate their income based on the firm's income.

What are the two sections of the LSAT?

The LSAT, which is the entrance exam for all law schools in the U.S., has two key sections which require math comprehension. These are the logical reasoning section and the analytical reasoning section . Both sections require deductive analysis similar to that used in math proofs. They also require some simple arithmetic to solve their puzzles. In both sections, a strong math or science background is an advantage to the test taker.

Do lawyers have to know calculus?

Lawyers do not have to be expert mathematicians; they do not even have to know calculus. However, all lawyers should have a solid understanding of complex math, accounting and algebra to fulfill their job requirements. Furthermore, scoring well on the LSAT entrance exam requires some math understanding.

Who wrote statistics and the law?

There is a book about statistics and the law: Morris H de Groot, Stephen E Fienberg & Joseph E Kadane: "Statistics and the Law", Wiley Classics Library.

Who developed game theory?

Although much of Game Theory was developed by mathematicians such as John Von Neumann, Lloyd Shapley, John Nash, and Alvin Roth, people who currently do research in game theory are more likely to teach in economics, operations research, or political science departments rather than mathematics departments, even though they have degrees in mathematics.

Does law capture morality?

Just as mathematical definitions and axiom systems and so on do not (and maybe cannot) genuinely capture "mathematical reality", (as a non-jurist) it seems that law does not and cannot capture "justice" (or "morality", etc).

Is law a pretense?

Law sometimes makes a pretense of being logical, but it is only a pretense.

Is math a rule based curriculum?

The upshot is that the somewhat rule-based undergrad math curriculum is perhaps a good abstracted version of the "game" part of law. Not many other undergrad curricula amount to adherence to possibly unfathomable, unbending rules, but, more often appeal (reasonably) to common sense. Not a bad thing! But, in the popular U.S. culture, appeals to "common sense" are often merely veiled appeals to previous prejudices or popular beliefs, rather than any sort of genuine seat-of-the-pants. (Perhaps certain higher-level video games may be a significant exception...) Thus, in the past, few undergrads have experience in manipulation of "rules", making deductions from the rules (without addressing the truth or falsity of the rules themselves), and so on.

What is the difference between science and law?

Science, traditionally, is a discipline of sharing information , and an "open-ended search for expanded understanding, whose 'truths' are always subject to revision.".

Can a patent case be opened on behalf of a client?

The cases might be opened on behalf of clients already holding rights to a product or copyright that has reason to claim those rights have been infringed by another party. Other times, clients might require protection from a lawsuit filed by another party whose patent claim, they feel, is invalid.

image