how is it to be a lawyer reddit

What are the worst things about being a lawyer?

I asked her to list some of the ways we can be own worst enemies on the job ... Instead, it’s about doing the right thing, being generous in your interactions, and looking for ways to grow professionally while also benefitting your company.”

Is being a lawyer worth it?

There's an old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. So how many words is a flowchart ... In a report on the CCCFA changes, law firm Bell Gully notes despite intending to help lenders navigate the new regulations, the Ministry of Business ...

Is being a lawyer a good job?

The reality of working in law

• Salary. A career within law may appeal to you because of its reputation of being a relatively well-paid and lucrative sector.
• Culture. Within law firms cultures vary widely and it's important to think about what type of culture best suits you.
• Competitiveness. ...
• Typical working day. ...
• Opportunities for promotion. ...
• Current issues in the legal sector. ...

What being a lawyer is really like?

Despite the commonly held misapprehension that the lawyer is a litigious adversary, a lawyer is more often concerned with securing harmonious and orderly arrangements, and with avoiding and settling controversy, especially in regard to the drafting of contracts, wills, and other such documents.

Is it worth it to be a lawyer?

The median annual salary for lawyers in 2016 was $118,160, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). * For some, the pay is just the cherry on top of a career that allows them to help enforce justice and use their influence to improve their community.

How hard is being a lawyer?

The Stress Deadlines, billing pressures, client demands, long hours, changing laws, and other demands all combine to make the practice of law one of the most stressful jobs out there. Throw in rising business pressures, evolving legal technologies, and climbing law school debt and it's no wonder lawyers are stressed.

Is lawyer still a good career?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8.9 percent employment growth for lawyers between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 71,500 jobs should open up. A lawyer advises and represents individuals or organizations in legal matters.

Is it depressing to be a lawyer?

The statistics are staggering: Lawyers are 3.6 times as likely to be depressed as people in other jobs, while the landmark 2016 American Bar Association and Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation study found that 28 percent of licensed, employed lawyers suffer with depression.

Is a career in law worth it?

The highest 10% of lawyers earned median annual earnings of more than $208,000 in 2019. Some law school graduates forgo serving as a lawyer in order to have more work-life balance. There are many jobs you can do with a law degree and legal-related roles where having a J.D. may be an asset.

Is being a lawyer impressive?

Working as a lawyer is one of the most intellectually rewarding jobs on the planet. From helping to patent a trade secret, or devising a trial strategy, to forming a multi-million dollar merger, lawyers are problem-solvers, analysts, and innovative thinkers whose intellect is crucial to career success.

Are most lawyers happy?

Lawyers are one of the least happy careers in the United States. At CareerExplorer, we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out, lawyers rate their career happiness 2.6 out of 5 stars which puts them in the bottom 7% of careers.

Are lawyers rich?

Most lawyers earn more of a solid middle-class income," says Devereux. You probably will be carrying a large amount of student loan debt from law school, which is not at all ideal when you're just starting out in your career. "Make sure you only become a lawyer if you actually want to work as a lawyer.

What are the disadvantages of being a lawyer?

Disadvantages of Being an AttorneyLawyers often work long hours.You will often no longer have a life apart from work.Clients can be quite demanding.Working climate may be rather bad.You may get sued.Law school can cost a fortune.Digitalization is a threat to lawyers.More items...

What career has the highest depression rate?

The Top 10 Jobs with the Highest Rates of DepressionPublic and Private Transportation (16.2%)Real Estate (15.7%)Social Services (14.6%)Manufacturing or Production (14.3%)Personal Services (14.3%)Legal Services (13.4%)Environmental Administration and Waste Services (13.4%)More items...•

What percent of lawyers are unhappy?

Studies show that 56% of lawyers are frustrated with their careers.

Are all lawyers stressed?

Lawyers Continue to Experience High Levels of Stress in 2021 Twenty-eight percent of lawyers struggle with depression; 19 percent struggle with anxiety. These statistics come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the demands of being a lawyer.

Is law a good education?

Law ( outside becoming a lawyer) gives you an excellent education in persuasi ve argument. This can be very valuable in many different careers. I'd be careful with that last part. Since it's tied to a very specific job, I think most employers would be even more concerned about you leaving the moment such a job opens up.

Is patent law a good field?

Patent law is a good field and not overly saturated since you are required to have a technical degree in order to even take the patent bar. 2. level 1. sschoo1. · 4y. If you can get through a decent law school without accruing a mountain of debt, then I would say it might very well be worth it.

One of my classmates corrected my legal writing professor

My professor is a superstar. She has endless energy and patience with students. She had offhandedly mentioned in the previous class that the convention is to write out any one- and two-digit numbers.

I PASSED the Bar

After studying all summer and dreading the results I found out the best news yesterday morning! I passed the bar exam with a high enough score to practice in almost any state. Such a huge amount of stress off of my shoulders. With that cleared I can now prep for my career as a JAG officer. I never want to take the bar again. Ever.

Don't laugh at people who bomb a cold call

I'm a 1L, bombed a cold call and heard multiple people laughing about my answer. Felt really shitty. Just realize that it'll make people feel like shit who are already going through a lot. Anyone could bomb any given cold call just have some compassion and recognize what your doing.

Why did I pay for Quimbee if I don't even watch the videos to supplement the cases I haven't read

For current and former Law School Redditors. Ask questions, seek advice, post outlines, etc. This is NOT a forum for legal advice.

What does it mean to be a lawyer?

Being a lawyer means being a writer. Just when you thought those law school papers were done, that's not quite the case. "I'm a litigator, which can be a bit like writing a term paper every night for the rest of your life," Devereux says.

What are the common problems lawyers face?

Burnout, stress, and depression are incredibly common among lawyers. Make sure you take advantage of mental health days, vacation days, and sick days, and if you're truly struggling (or your colleagues are), consult a mental health practitioner. 15. You probably won't be rich.

Do lawyers spend time in court?

You probably won't spend much time in court. All the movies that show lawyers only working when they're in court are not at all accurate. " In fact, you might never see a courtroom," Devereux says. You'll probably be spending a lot of time alone, in an office, researching cases, and processing paperwork.

Can I pass the bar exam on the first try?

You may not pass the bar on the first try. The bar exam wasn't exactly designed with everyone in mind. " Here’s the thing. The bar exam—like most academic exams in our country—was first developed by white, affluent, powerful men (a.k.a. the patriarchy) who very much wanted to retain their power," Rodgers says.

Can you work remotely with copyright clients?

And it may allow you to move around or work remotely. "Because trademarks and copyrights are regulated by a federal agency, you can work with trademark and copyright clients from any state. This gives you lots of flexibility if you don’t want to be stuck in the state in which you are barred," says Rodgers. 6.

Can you make a partner?

It's not easy to make partner (or become a part-owner of a firm instead of an employee), even if you're a top performer. "In my experience, most people I worked with did not make partner," Jamie says. Often, it's worth it to leave and go to another firm to get to that level, she admits.

Does law school teach you how to practice law?

" Law school doesn't really teach you how to practice law," Devereux says. It turns out, you have a lot left to learn. "In the beginning, it may seem like nearly every time you are assigned a task, it's something that you've never done before," she adds. But don't worry, eventually, with more practice (pun intended) you'll get the hang of the skill set and type of law you're practicing. "The anxiety should subside after a couple of years when you've developed a decent base of skills," Devereux says.