why would a good lawyer want to be a judge

A lawyer may choose to become a judge because he loves being in the spotlight and having the responsibility of deciding a case while the state or nation watches. Such high-profile cases can also pave the way for a judge to write books or become a commentator after he is no longer a judge. Considerations Being a judge also has downsides.

Full Answer

Why would a successful lawyer become a judge?

Being a judge may look like a fun job: You get to listen to a variety of cases every day and decide the fairest result of each. But some people may wonder why a successful or already well-paid lawyer would want to change careers and become a judge. The process of becoming a judge varies depending on where the judge serves.

What makes a good judge?

A good judge is even-tempered but firm; open-minded but able to reach a decision; confident but not egotistic: [C. Dale McClain, supra] As a final quality there is the 1994 statement by the Chief Justice of South Africa, MM Corbett.

What is the difference between a judge and a lawyer?

A judge receives new cases every day and gets to study case law to try to discover the right and most fair result for each case. A lawyer may also be drawn to the idea of being able to write detailed opinions describing why he made each case's decision.

Is it better to be an advocate or a judge?

Mostly, though Advocates earn good income than Judges, the pride and Divinity attached to the judgeship and the satisfaction of doing justice is the reason for entering into Judiciary. Is being a court judge a stressful or cushy job?

Why would you want to be a judge?

Many people want to be judges because they think it is a prestigious job that will make life easier, or it's hard work but it's better than billing hours. Talk to judges and find out exactly what they do and how they go about it.

What qualities should judges have?

A candidate should exhibit the following aspects of proper judicial temperament: Patience, open-mindedness, courtesy, tact, courage, punctuality, firmness, understanding, compassion, humility and common sense. Those qualities should be demonstrated consistently.

Who said a good lawyer knows the law a great lawyer knows the judge?

“A Good Lawyer Knows the Law but a Great Lawyer Knows the Judge” - Rice Law.

Are judges smarter than lawyers?

And while judges tend to be more intelligent than standard-issue lawyers, there are definitely significant differences in intellectual ability even among judges at the same level of the judicial system. Everyone knows that there is a spectrum of intelligence in the legal industry.

What it means to be a good judge?

The good judge is impartial. He or she does not prejudge cases on the merits, is even-handed, open-minded and willing to reconsider personal points of view, and provides a full and fair opportunity for litigants to present their case.

Why are judges so important?

Judges are key to the fight for civil rights In the U.S. judicial system, judges are tasked with presiding over trials and maintaining order. They also review whether or not there are any illegality issues per the evidence submitted.

What did Mark Twain say about lawyers?

So it is better to work through a lawyer--and lose your case. To succeed in other trades, capacity must be shown; in the law, concealment of it will do. They all laid their heads together like as many lawyers when they are gettin' ready to prove that a man's heirs ain't got any right to his property.

What is a good lawyer?

What Makes a Good Lawyer? Common Traits of Successful Attorneys TodayPassion for the Job. As a starting point, successful lawyers almost always have a true passion for their job. ... Compassion for Clients. ... Great Communication Skills. ... Willingness to Listen. ... Knowledge of the Law. ... Strong Writing Ability. ... Creativity. ... Good Judgment.More items...•

What is the IQ of a lawyer?

Some professionals, such as lawyers, exhibit high average IQ scores (in the 115-130 range), while at the same time scoring lower than the general population on EI (85-95). Nor does emotional intelligence correlate with any particular type of personality.

Can a lawyer be a judge?

28 U.S. states require you to be a practicing lawyer to preside over cases. Fourteen states accept non-lawyers as judges, but a defendant who receives a jail sentence from such a judge has the right to a new trial under lawyer-judge. Eight states grant non-lawyers unlimited judgeship.

Is becoming a judge worth it?

The major advantage of being a Judge is that an individual gains respect and stature in the public eye. Judges generally have job security and do not have to worry about switching or losing jobs. A Judge gets a handsome salary and benefits. Their salary is generally more than others in the legal profession.

Why do lawyers become judges?

A lawyer may choose to become a judge because he loves being in the spotlight and having the responsibility of deciding a case while the state or nation watches. Such high-profile cases can also pave the way for a judge to write books or become a commentator after he is no longer a judge.

Why is it important to be a lawyer?

It also may be appealing to have the freedom to focus on litigation without worrying about headaches that go along with managing a law practice.

How does the high profile nature of a judge's position affect his family?

The high-profile nature of a judge's position will affect his family, because they too will be in the spotlight. A judge who is elected must worry about how the public views him. Whether appointed or elected, a lawyer's qualifications and his past will be vetted by the public before he becomes a judge. References.

Is serving as a judge an honorable position?

Serving as a judge is an honorable position. Some attorneys may seek to become judges for the privilege and status that go with the job. People tend to view judges as having wisdom, although this reputation is also earned with the court decisions that a judge makes.

Do judges get paid more than lawyers?

Judges have a guaranteed salary that isn't dependent on the number of cases they win or the number of clients they bring in. For some lawyers, this can be appealing. And in some cases, a judge's salary is higher than a lawyer's, such as for lawyers who work as court-appointed defense attorneys or for legal aid groups.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Someone asked me this question last week. I don't think I'd been asked before possibly because most people I've been talking to are judges or lawyers and for them the answer is self-evident. But it's a good question and one I expect that I will be asked by voters many times in the next few months.

Why Do You Want to Be a Judge?

Someone asked me this question last week. I don't think I'd been asked before possibly because most people I've been talking to are judges or lawyers and for them the answer is self-evident. But it's a good question and one I expect that I will be asked by voters many times in the next few months.

Why is it good to work as a judge?

Another benefit of working as a judge is that you will probably never get bored. Since you will meet many different people and work on numerous different cases throughout your career, time will just fly.

Why is being a judge important?

Judges have high levels of responsibility and power. You can make our world a little bit fairer. Working as a judge can be exciting. Chances are that you will never get bored as a judge. Judges have a pretty high standing in society. You can earn really good money as a judge.

How long does it take to become a judge?

You need long years of education for becoming a judge. Another downside to becoming a judge is that you just need many years of education. Not only do you have to go to law school for an extensive period of time, but you also have to be pretty good and get good grades to keep your chances of becoming a judge alive.

How many hours do judges work?

As a judge, you will often also have a pretty standard workweek. Most often, you will just work 9 to 5 and come home rather early. You will also not have to work on weekends and holidays and can really enjoy plenty of leisure.

What are the problems of being a judge?

One problem with being a judge is that you can potentially destroy the lives of many people with wrong decisions. Nobody is perfect and you will make mistakes sooner or later in your career.

How much do judges make?

They have to make the final decision regarding whether someone is guilty or not to solve legal disputes and to assure justice. Salary. $210,000 per year on average, most judges make between $180,000 – $270,000 per year. Job Security.

What are the advantages of being a judge?

One advantage of being a judge is that you will have a high level of power in your job. It is on you to decide whether someone gets punished or not. Sure, in most lawsuits, there are many people involved in the final decision. Yet, you will still have an important say in the final verdict.

How to answer why you want to become a lawyer?

You can answer this question by following the steps below to highlight your strengths and make a great impression on the interviewer: 1. Focus on your strengths and skills. Give examples of your strongest skills that make you successful as a lawyer. For instance, your ability to communicate ...

What are some examples of skills that make you successful as a lawyer?

For instance, your ability to communicate persuasively, your attention to detail and your compassion towards your clients are strengths that you can have as a lawyer that make you successful at doing your job. Your pride in your skills and expertise can show the interviewer how motivated you are to succeed in the career.

What do you want to know about practicing law?

The interviewer will likely want to see that your core values and philosophy about practicing law connects with the job responsibilities and their firm's mission and values. Describe the character traits you feel you have developed as a lawyer and how these traits helped shape the values you have today. Then, relate these values to what you know about the company and the clients it serves.

What does it mean to interview for a lawyer?

Interviewing for a position as a lawyer means you'll likely encounter several different types of questions that will help the interviewer get to know you, assess your skills and compare your qualifications with what they're looking for.

Salary

Privilege and Responsibility

Love of Litigation

High-Profile Cases

• Judges have the opportunity to try many interesting cases, some very high-profile. A lawyer may choose to become a judge because he loves being in the spotlight and having the responsibility of deciding a case while the state or nation watches. Such high-profile cases can also pave the way for a judge to write books or become a commentator after he...

See more on careertrend.com

Considerations