what it's really like being a lawyer

In reality, a lawyer would specialise in one or the other. Transactional work is research-based and involves, for instance, preparing contracts, reviewing documents and negotiating. Litigation, on the other hand, involves representing clients and spending time in a courtroom.

Full Answer

What is the best thing about being a lawyer?

Sep 18, 2020 · 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...

What are the pros and cons of being an attorney?

Feb 04, 2022 · Not What Being A Lawyer Is Really Like But it is entertaining. By Kathryn Rubino. on February 4, 2022 at 5:44 PM February 4, 2022 at …

What is the hardest part of being a lawyer?

1. Referrals from other lawyers and past clients 2. Active in the community in which they practice, gets their name out, people come to them 3. High publicity cases, gets them on the news, people find them and call them as a result (this is one of the reasons... 4. Marketing, web/yellow pages/etc ...

Why should you should become a lawyer?

Sep 03, 2019 · What’s It Really Like to Be a Barrister? Becoming a barrister is often considered one of the highest achievements for a person’s legal career and most are probably under the impression that it will be plain sailing once they qualify. As with any similar role, being a barrister is much more than knowing your stuff and getting up in the morning.

Is being a lawyer enjoyable?

The emotional rewards of being an attorney can be even more satisfying than the financial rewards. If you are passionate about your chosen field of law and you believe your top priority is your client, assisting people achieve a positive outcome for their problem is extremely satisfying.

Is being a lawyer really hard?

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.Nov 20, 2019

How do you know if being a lawyer is for you?

You work well with others. That's right—being a lawyer means working with people! ... You can persuade others. The ability to persuade=the practice of law. ... You are independent and self-disciplined. ... You can endure the grind. ... You don't take things at face value. ... You must be able to network.Sep 9, 2019

What do people like most about being a lawyer?

Being a lawyer is a great career....Here are six reasons why.You Get to Help People. I know, I know, it's cheesy and cliché. ... People Respect Lawyers. Don't let the lawyer jokes fool you. ... You Get to Win. Nothing is sweeter than victory.Your Time Is Money. ... Your Superiors Are Also Lawyers. ... You Don't Have to Be a Lawyer.Dec 31, 2015

What is the easiest type of law to study?

Estate Planning Although being a legal clerk is the easiest career path, it is only suited for beginners. Estate planning wins the most stress-free legal practice area when practicing law for lawyers. Many lawyers avoid estate planning as it is a field of law associated with death.Jan 30, 2022

What makes a successful lawyer?

Here are the top 5 qualities of a good lawyer: responsiveness, analytical skills, good research skills, speaking skills, and listening skills. and understand it on the spot. When a case is in session, curveballs will likely be thrown and they have to be able to interpret and respond to them appropriately.

What are the pros and cons of being a lawyer?

Top 10 Being a Lawyer Pros & Cons – Summary ListBeing a Lawyer ProsBeing a Lawyer ConsLawyers can earn really good moneyLawyers often work long hoursBeing a lawyer implies excellent career optionsStress can be enormousLawyers can work in many different jobsBeing a lawyer may affect your family life7 more rows

What are the disadvantages of being a lawyer?

List of the Cons of Being a LawyerThere are high levels of stress in this career. ... You will work long hours as an attorney. ... It costs a lot to attend law school for your education. ... Clients are spending less on attorneys thanks to self-service products and websites.More items...

Do lawyers need good memory?

Yes, having the ability to retain information is important for a lawyer. At first, the memorization is important for the testing in law school. After school, the real work of learning the rules of evidence and civil procedure begin. In court, there is not time to check a rule or look up a case.

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.Nov 20, 2019

What are the perks of being a lawyer?

Benefits for LawyersMedical and dental plans.Short- and long-term disability plans.Health care reimbursement account through pre-tax deductions.401(k) retirement savings plan.Domestic partner benefits.Life insurance.Firm-paid business travel accident insurance.Firm-paid accidental death and dismemberment insurance.More items...

What motivates me to be a lawyer?

Their top motivations for becoming lawyers being: Sense of personal achievement. Meaningful and satisfying work. Good opportunities for career development.May 3, 2019

What Being a Lawyer is Really Like

Awhile back, I wrote about what law school is really like. If you can manage to keep your head on straight, deal with the competitiveness, and tune out the insanity, then hopefully you’ll graduate, pass the bar and start doing some real lawyering.

Meet The Blogger

I am a lawyer who talks like a regular person. I provide direct, honest advice, and if needed, I will recommend a lawyer to you.

What do you like about being an attorney?

You might enjoy being an attorney if you like logic puzzles, research, and critical thinking. If logical reasoning doesn't come naturally, you can still develop those skills over time. You might take classes in logic or pick up logic puzzles to hone your skills.

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 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.

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.

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 the legal profession?

The legal profession offers a wide range of job opportunities in private practice, in-house, and government institutions providing a variety of different places to work. One size doesn’t fit all: it is hard to generalise about what it is really like working for a law firm because it depends on the size of firm and the type of law practised, ...

Is law a competitive profession?

It is hard to generalise, but law is a competitive profession, target driven and that can negatively impact on culture. A good working environment depends a lot on the people you work with and the management philosophy of the firm.

What is the culture of a law firm?

Defining culture is not straightforward but it comprises of the values, ideas, behaviours and assumptions shared by a group of people, it influences everything inside a law firm. A positive workplace culture can determine how much you enjoy your job. It is important not to underestimate the impact the environment you work in has on your ...

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.

Who developed the bar exam?

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. While the exam and its policies have changed slightly over the years, it's still going to be a challenge to pass.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Why did you decide to become a barrister?

I didn’t really have an epiphany moment, I had toyed with the idea a lot throughout my studies as I had really enjoyed moots and mock trials. The decision solidified for me at a time when I was working for an NGO and dealing with a lot of work on their ‘strategic litigation’ team.

How does the reality of the job compare to your original expectations?

I thought that qualifying was going to be the hard part, but when that was over I was confronted by the reality that your work continues to get more difficult the more senior you get, and you have to keep growing with it.

What does a typical working day consist of?

It’s true when they say that ‘no day is the same’, so this question is quite difficult to answer.

Do you take home much work – physically and mentally?

The workload can be very tough at times. I find myself working in the evenings and over weekends, often because the task at hand is urgent. I always expected that to an extent, and I think it’s a lot easier to do when you like your job and your practice areas.

What has been the most surprising aspect of the job?

My fear was that the job would be quite lonely, but fortunately that hasn’t been my experience at all. I feel very at home in my chambers and within my practice teams. I am well supported by my colleagues and have good working relationships with my instructing solicitors, so I’ve been pleasantly surprised by that.

What would your advice be to someone starting out in their legal career?

My advice for those seeking pupillage is that they must be resilient to rejection. Pupillage is hard to come by but those who succeed are the ones that do not give up. A huge amount of people who apply for pupillage do not get it first time, it’s just testament to the fact that it’s a very competitive process.

If you could say one thing to the younger you starting out in the profession, what would it be?

Don’t rush it. There’s plenty of time to be a barrister and you’ll get to do it for the rest of your life. Be sure to fill the time in the interim with interesting work that prepares you well for the role and the lifestyle that comes with practice at the bar.