how to decide whether to become a lawyer

How to Decide Whether to Become a Solicitor or Barrister

• Find out which skills suit each profession
• See the preferred personality traits for each
• See how you can get a head start on your chosen path

Full Answer

What qualities do you need to become a lawyer?

 · Investigate the legal profession before applying to law school. Law schools challenge students inside and outside the classroom. Before enrolling in a J.D. program, aspiring lawyers should be aware...

What to know before becoming a lawyer?

 · Factors to Consider if You Want to Become a Lawyer. The Cost of Law School. The average student loan debt for lawyers was $142,900 as of the 2015-2016 school year, the most recent year statistics are ... Law School Timeline. Frequent Testing. Public …

What can I do to prepare to become a lawyer?

To ultimately decide whether a legal career is right for you, it is vital that you do your research and obtain some law work experience at the earliest possible stage. Law work experience will give you an invaluable insight into the legal profession, what it involves and crucially whether it’s right for you. It is never too early to get started.

What levels do I need to become a lawyer?

The key is to talk to all sorts of lawyers in different practice areas and, where possible, shadow them for a couple of days to get an idea of what their day-to-day looks like. Then, you can make...

How do you decide if I should go to law school?

Make sure that you are going to law school for the right reasons and after seeking the right experiences.You Know What You Want to Do With Your Degree. ... You Have Some Experience in Law. ... You Have Sought Career Advice From Lawyers. ... You Have a Scholarship. ... You Cannot See Yourself Doing Anything Else in Life Than Practice Law.

What makes you want to become a lawyer?

Lawyers are in a unique position to help individuals, groups, and organizations with their legal problems and to further the public good. Public interest lawyers champion legal causes for the greater good of society and help those in need of legal assistance who might not otherwise be able to afford attorneys.

What are the chances of becoming a lawyer?

a 1 in 372 chance of becoming a lawyer, a 1 in 684 chance of becoming a physician, and a 1 in 2,700 chance of becoming a dentist. a 1 in 94 chance of becoming a teacher. a 1 in 45 chance of becoming a cocaine abuser, a 1 in 5 chance of becoming a marijuana abuser, and a 2 in 5 chance of becoming an alcohol abuser.

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 attracts you to a career in law?

1) It offers diverse career options With a multitude of positions and an ever-expanding range of practice areas, law offers you the opportunity to specialise in what you find personally interesting. Family, environmental and criminal law are just a handful of the routes you can go down.

Is becoming a lawyer still worth it?

Even with statistics like these, job seekers are still drawn to becoming a lawyer. One of the most appealing factors is the earning potential. The median annual salary for lawyers in 2016 was $118,160, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Is law a good career for the future?

Law as a profession is in great demand these days. Due to the changing social and economic circumstances and the ever-increasing regulatory role being undertaken by the government there is a rising demand for the lawyers. Besides being financially lucrative, Law is an adventurous and exciting career option.

Is law still a good career?

The legal profession is one of the most lucrative industries in today's job market. Double-digit growth in recent years has produced healthy revenues and rising salaries. Associates in the nation's largest law firms start at $150,000 to $180,000, and partners earn average salaries in excess of $1.2 million.

What are the skills required to practice law?

Logical reasoning and critical-thinking skills are essential to the practice of law. Analytical skills are necessary for all practice areas, whether you're structuring a multi-million-dollar deal or developing a trial strategy. You might enjoy being an attorney if you like logic puzzles, research, and critical thinking.

How many hours do lawyers work?

This isn't a requirement for all lawyers, but some value-conscious clients might expect you to be accessible around the clock. Most lawyers work full time, and many work more than 40 hours per week. 9  Lawyers who work in public interest venues and academia might have more forgiving schedules, but they often trade high salaries for a better work-life balance.

What is constant writing?

Constant Writing. Words are a lawyer’s tool of the trade. Attorneys are expected to be good writers as well as excellent speakers. Trial attorneys will need to master oral and written persuasion as they argue motions, try cases, take depositions, and draft various legal pleadings.

What is client development?

Client Development. Most law firm attorneys are responsible for client development. Compensation, bonuses, draws, and partnership opportunities are frequently based on an attorney’s ability to bring in business for the firm, at least in part. 10 . If you choose to work for a law firm, you must excel at marketing yourself ...

What is public speaking?

Public Speaking. As an attorney, public speaking is a part of your day-to-day life. You'll present information to clients, juries, judges, arbitrators, opposing counsel, witnesses, boards, and colleagues. Trial lawyers present information in the courtroom. Corporate attorneys must be at ease in the boardroom.

How do lawyers work?

Here is what a typical day’s work for a Lawyer looks like: 1 Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents. 2 Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations. 3 Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial. 4 Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses. 5 Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.

What does a lawyer do?

Lawyers represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law..

Where do lawyers work?

Work Environments and Perks. The majority of lawyers work in law firms, government, and for corporations. In an age where cubicles have become the mainstay of the modern workplace, lawyers typically work in offices with four walls.

Why are lawyers important?

Lawyers are in a unique position to help individuals, groups, and organizations with their legal problems and to further the public good. Public interest lawyers champion legal causes for the greater good of society and help those in need of legal assistance who might not otherwise be able to afford attorneys.

What is the prestige of being a lawyer?

A career as a lawyer has been a hallmark of prestige for generations. Impressive degrees and a certain authority over others have placed lawyers in an elite circle of professionals who command respect and embody the definition of success. Lawyers enjoy a unique professional status and an often glamorous image perpetuated by the media.

Do lawyers make big bucks?

Keep in mind, however, that not all lawyers make big bucks. It can depend on employer size, experience level, and geographic region. Lawyers employed in large law firms, major metropolitan areas, and in-demand specialties generally earn the highest incomes.

Why do lawyers do pro bono work?

Lawyers in private practice often perform pro bono work to help low-income individuals and underserved portions of the population , such as the elderly, victims of domestic abuse, and children. In fact, many bar associations require that attorneys commit to a certain number of pro bono hours each year.

What is the most rewarding job?

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.

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.

Do lawyers work a lot?

" Lawyers work a lot of hours, and clients can have issues requiring your attention at any time, regardless of whether it's a weekend, holiday, or during your vacation. And, thanks to technology, you can and will be expected to respond and perform the work from wherever you are as soon as humanly possible," Devereux says. This is just kind of the reality for some types of law. Also, certain seasons are specifically busy (for example, if you're a tax attorney).

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.

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.

Who is Mara Santilli?

Mara Santilli Mara is a freelance writer and editor specializing in culture, politics, wellness, and the intersection between them, whose print and digital work has appeared in Marie Claire, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, Airbnb Mag, Prevention, and more.

Beginner's Guide to a Career in Law

You don’t need a law degree to become a lawyer - visit LCN's non-law student hub!

Beginner's Guide

National law firm Ashfords has launched a six-year solicitor apprenticeship as an alternative route to qualifying as a solicitor.