lawyer. what is your job and your life like reddit

by Allie Pfeffer 9 min read

What is it like to be a lawyer in real life?

It's all about perspective. My job consists of me fighting with people all. Damn. Day. (Litigation). Your whole goal in life is to win, so inherently you have to outmaneuver or outsmart your opponent. That in and of itself is stressful, as someone will always be smarter or more experienced. When you mess up, it feels terrible.

Is it easy to find a job as a lawyer?

I’m not a lawyer but does your tiger mum have proper working experience or is she just going off her biases. I had a tiger mum who had 0 knowledge of the workforce and job availability but still tried to act like she was the law. She gave crap advice.

Is a career as a lawyer all it’s Cracked Up to be?

I work as an immigration attorney for a non-profit that makes work-life balance a priority— work about 40-45 hrs a week typically, and make a competitive salary for non-profit legal work. I think the key is that I work in an office where I’m one of two attorneys out of about 25 total employees, and my boss isn’t an attorney.

Is life as a lawyer glamorous as portrayed on TV?

The job market for lay canon lawyers is very good: provided that you are willing to move. Every diocese needs at least a couple of canon lawyers. These roles are often filled by priests, but with the continuing priest shortage, the amount of time that a priest would have to be sent away from the diocese for education, and the rather large ...

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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 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).

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.

How many law school graduates were full time in 2015?

Just 59.2 percent of 2015 law school grads held full-time, long-term jobs as lawyers 10 months after graduation, according to data from the American Bar Association (ABA). This can create a very difficult situation for those who take on substantial student loan debt to pursue their law career.

How many years of school do I need to become a lawyer?

1. The challenging years of law school. The process of becoming a lawyer isn’t for the faint of heart. The BLS reports that it typically takes seven years of full-time postsecondary education to become a lawyer. This breaks down to four years for a Bachelor’s degree, followed by three years of law school.

What is non-billable hours?

Non-billable hours are all those other aspects of a job, like checking e-mail, attending meetings and participating in continuing education.

Why are lawyers so good at their jobs?

Lawyers are in the unusual position of actually being better at their jobs if they have a pessimistic mindset rather than a rosy outlook, according to the ABA. A lawyer’s ability to see everything that could possibly go wrong comes in handy when they’re building an airtight case against the opposition.

Is being a lawyer worth it?

Is being a lawyer worth it? That’s something only you can decide. Becoming a lawyer definitely isn’t for everyone. If you decide that the risks don’t outweigh the rewards, you don’t necessarily have to give up your dream of working in the legal field. There are plenty of other career options that may better suit your skills and interests.

Why do lawyers have a decorating budget?

For example, some lawyers can also enjoy a decorating budget to help make their work environment more conducive to their productivity. Other work perks they may be able to take advantage of include plush accommodations, gym memberships and support staff to help minimize their workload.

Why do lawyers help people?

While this profession allows you to seek justice for these parties, it also provides you with emotional rewards. Depending on your perspective, this can be more beneficial than the money you earn in this profession.

How many hours do lawyers work?

This is mostly the case for new lawyers barely starting their careers. While a normal workweek consists of 40 hours, some lawyers put in 60 to 90 hours each week depending on the needs of the case they're working on.

How much do lawyers make?

Lawyers have the ability to earn a generous income. They make a national average salary of $50,979 per year. Though you may not earn this income as a new lawyer, you can work your way toward this salary with enough hard work and experience. However, finding satisfaction in your specific field may be worth more than your annual salary.

What do lawyers do when they have a case?

When they have a case, they prepare the necessary documents, gather evidence, analyze probable outcomes and often appear in court to represent their clients. While in court, they present their case to the judge and the jury using logical reasoning and a combination of their persuasiveness and analytical abilities.

What are some examples of intellectual stimulation?

For example, some of your responsibilities may include understanding complex legal theories and determining the possible outcomes for your clients when it comes to a case.

What does a lawyer do?

Lawyers use their knowledge of the law and fair legal practices to provide quality legal advice to their clients. They advise them on the best course of action in both civil and criminal cases. Lawyers also interpret the law and various regulations for individuals and businesses.

Why do lawyers save their life?

Because doctors save a person’s life but, lawyers save his life along with prestige. Because prestige is everything for an Individual and without this, no one can survive in this present society. The society expects more from a prestigious individual. So, lawyers save such a thing with their skill.

What makes a good doctor?

That being said, someone who does well in the sciences will probably make a good doctor because the same traits will make you successful at either - a good memory, ability to focus, attention to detail, an analytical way of approaching problems. The road to becoming a doctor or lawyer is very long.

What is the difference between a lawyer and a physician?

A physician , who knowingly cuts into a perfectly healthy patient (motivated by profit), is devoid of moral character which places value on human life. A lawyer, who doesn't uphold the laws of the jurisdiction in which s/he practices law, has no moral character which places value on truth (or human life).

Can an advocate become a doctor?

It depends on your wish, that is, if you want to get in contact with the public, Absolutely you can study law. Or else if you want to treat for diseases and save the life of the needy, you can become a doctor. Justin Drach.

Is medicine a respected profession?

Continue Reading. Medicine is a respected profession, Law not so much. Doctors make more money, unless you’re a real shyster/lawyer, but a lot of doctors can still cheat the government with fake billings. Hillary did pretty good with Whitewater though. If you’re into math, be a doctor not a lawyer.

Do doctors out-earn attorneys?

In general, the average doctor is going to greatly out-earn the average attorney. However, if you manage to get a sweet gig was a chief legal officer for a major company, you will greatly out earn a highly-paid doctor. Or if you are on a legal team that wins a high profile product liability lawsuit.

Is it better to be a lawyer or a doctor?

The work hours are long and stressful, but for the right person, also very rewarding. If your goal is to maximize your income, becoming a doctor or lawyer is probably not the best option.

What is the hardest thing to come to grips with?

One of the hardest things to come to grips with is losing the prestige that came along with the legal field. As a lawyer, you’re valued counsel to your clients, and let’s face it—just mention that you’re a trained attorney to anyone within earshot, and watch how the tone of the conversation changes.

What is law school training?

Law school trained you to get to a firm conclusion in a reasoned way—and that’s precisely the skill you should apply when you’re looking at jobs that , at first glance, may not seem like a good match for someone who just graduated from law school.

Who is Devo Ritter?

Devo Ritter is a former public defender who made the jump from traditional law to strategic communications, business development and most recently the world of compliance. She has worked in government, for big corporations and in the startup world.

Who said the law can be a valuable tool?

As Jess Salomon, the lawyer-cum-comedian puts it, “The law can be a valuable tool, but no matter what you’re doing with it on a daily basis, it can be very procedural and narrow.”

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