Is being a lawyer worth all the time an money a person puts into it?
116157
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNOOOOOOO
732861
Could it be?  Yes?  Would it likely be?  No.  As a jurist myself I can tell you my own experience, which I believe to be common.\n\nFirst, law school does not breed independent thinkers, creativity, etc.  It's all about learning how to do legal research on precedent.  Second, when you hear that lawyers who seek to succeed in their business today spend somewhere in the neighborhood of 70 hours per week at their jobs, for up to the first 10 years of their career, know that this is not an exaggeration.\n\nNow, as far as your creative license goes, while the field you choose to practice in is important, all lawyers are very limited in what they can practically do and argue in each case.  Analytical thinking is important, but don't go into law thinking that you'll get a 'Law and Order', 'LA Law', etc. type case more than once in a lifetime, if that.  For the most part law is a dry, unforgiving, but lucrative business.  In my experience, the best lawyers are the people that would make they best, most cut-throat of business-people in different circumstances.\n\nI myself went in for the money.  I left early on when I realize that I would be good and rich, but utterly unhappy.  I went the academic route instead and now am much happier.  It's more important to ask yourself what your priorities are in life (what makes you happy?  Money?  Family? Relaxation?) than reading tea leaves as to potential careers.  Pay attention to the classes you truly enjoy.  It may be that you'll fall in love with photography, or chemistry, you just never know.  Just don't box yourself in too early.  Good luck.
265726
try and save up enough money for a good lawyer--if there's  time
171739
It would depend on the type of lawyer or type of case. Some get paid hourly, some require a retainer and then take part of the settlement if the case is won.
474058
HAHAHA, as a law student I think irdll's answer is hilarious... Sure if you believe in ridiculous stereotypes, yeah, we all want money.  But there are lots of lawyers who take public interest jobs, work with the ACLU, etc.  Lawyers are the ones who make sure your rights aren't trampled on on a daily basis, products are safe for you to use on the shelf, and keeps us from all getting out phones wiretapped.\n\nOk, there's a few things increasing the numbers of applications to law school.  The economy is one of them... it is harder to get a good job and make money unless you have a higher degree - graduate school is expensive, you are gathering debt while you are going, and you aren't bringing any income in during that time.  Doctors can make a lot of money when they graduate, but they're in school, residency, etc for 5 or more years after their bachelor's.  Lawyers have 3 years of school, then they can go out and pay off their debt, and be more comfortable. Also, I live in SoCal, where to have a "middle class" household you need a house that will cost you at least $500k in this market, and both parents need to work and earn at least $60k a year, if not more, just to get by comfortably.  Most lawyers aren't rich, they have more money than others, yes, but they also work twice as hard.\n\nAlso, lawyers are always in demand.  Everyone is always suing everyone, and with current issues like living wills (think Terri Schiavo), abortion, the increase in e-commerce, technology and the need for new patents, there are plenty of exciting areas to explore.\n\nIf you are asking why law school became important in order to work in a legal field (your question is a bit vague), you can check out the history of the legal field on wiki, etc.  However, some schools used to offer legal degrees without a bachelors many years ago (it wasn't the same Juris Doctorate you get at law school today).  But since the legal field is so increasingly important, and states have the need to license and endorse attorneys (American Bar Association, various state bars) there needs to be an approved type of institution to regulate the minumum educatiional guidelines.\n\nI'm not sure if I have answered your question, but hopefully I've given you something to think about.
336052
If I were to do it all over, I would go into real estate law.\n\nI work with attorneys on a regular basis, and I have never seen a real estate attorney actually do any work.  All they have to have is a good relationship with a mortgage lender or two, a good title researcher and an office and they are virtually assured of several thousand dollars in legal fees per month.\n\nConstitutional law is more glamourous, but it's a lot of work and doesn't pay all that well.\n\nCorporate law pays well, but there is a high potential for being held accountable for bad advice.\n\nCriminal defence is easy to get into, can pay well and isn't all that difficult most of the time, but people will hate you for "putting murderers and rapists back on the street", even if that's not what you do.\n\nCriminal prosecution is good, but you will be under lots of pressure to maintain high conviction rates.\n\nPersonal injury (and the like) pays well, but you won't have any friends or self-respect.\n\nFamily law is ok, but you bust your hump to keep a sufficient client base.  Since most people's need for legal council is minimal, you will need quite a lot of clients.\n\nReally, they all have their pros and cons (except real estate law), so I would suggest doing what interests you.  You can always change fields later (and many lawyers do).\n\nHope this has been helpful.  Good luck to you.
849344
It will hold up in court if you have one lawyer, but the question you need to ask yourself is, whose side is the lawyer on?  I would get my own lawyer.
550716
Married to an attorney - and was one of his assistants for a while.  It's VERY stressful working for a successful defense attorney (especially one that handles everything from deeds to murders)  My husband has 5 assistants and they are always working their butts off. They have to stay late most of the evenings.  They make pretty decent money, actually, they are the highest paid in the town.  He starts them out at about $11 an hour - the woman that has been with him for about 20 yrs makes about $19.  So, it really depends on who you work for and what your duties are.  I really didn't like the work myself, so I quit.  The girls complain that they work their butts off, but they love the money. (and know that they will not find that at the other attorney offices)  The work is usually pretty mundane - TONS of paper and computer work.  Lots of typing - lots of phone calls, many from strange, unhappy people.  I wasn't fond of the job, but you may be... it takes a certain person to like that kind of work.  And, legal assistants are very important to the attorney.  Hubby could not live without them.
847582
Sorry, but if your question represents the best English you can muster, you will not make a good lawyer.  Contrary to what several people have said here, it does take smarts to make a good lawyer.  A person of average intelligence will make a poor lawyer and, frankly, will get eaten alive by other, smarter, lawyers.
475497
It depends. If your a doctor that specializes in a new field and work in a big hospital you'd be making more than a small town lawyer. But if you were a big time lawyer working in a big city and with wealthy clients you'd make more than a small town doctor. All depends on what you do in each profession and where your located.
1184368
There are many people studing law as compared to passed old days. This has really helped in justice in many countries. To be a lawyer , you need to be very craft and swift and very creative at all time.
1133129
you seem to nice to stoop to be a lawyer....
1183100
I can't do you a percentage but it will probably be lower than you think. Most lawyers are doing bog-standard high-street , local government work etc. The high earners aren't that common but you find them in the top commercial/media/industry firms. Or in prestigious criminal firms.
889046
Ours is a litigious society and many people do not like to take responsibility for their own actions, or failures to act.  Therefore, Yes, I believe that being a lawyer will continue to be a "lucrative" career.  It's not without hard work, mind you -- hard work and bucking the stereotype.  Lawyers are not all.... well you know... use your imagination.  Not all of them are like that.
589875
You become the butt of some of the oldest jokes around.\n\nPeople always have a "quick legal question" for you even though they're not "asking for legal advice"\n\nYou suddenly become the legal expert on all issues, irrespective of whether they are in your area of practice.\n\nYou risk being perceived as just another ambulance chaser.\n\nLong, long, long hours at the office.\n\nAs a result of those hours, potentially damaging your family life.\n\nBut the fulfillment you get from a job well done, when someone thanks you for doing something which really makes a difference in their lives and the lives of others and which also has a positive impact on society in general, that my friend is priceless and makes up for anything bad which people can and do say about lawyers.
1071156
you should be able to afford a lawyer to do it right.
40569
As my fellow attorneys can tell you, the only product we have to sell is our time.  Like any other business, most of us will do some type of pro bono or charity work.  Grocery stores might donate food, other business donate money and lawyers will often donate time.  But even when we donate our time, we are still incurring expense like office overhead, staff salary and the loss of billable hours.  There is only so much pro bono work an attorney can handle unless you are supported by some huge nonprofit foundation.\n\nIf you can't pay an attorney on an hourly basis, then you have the option of going with a contingent fee arrangement.  The attorney runs the risk of not getting paid if you lose, but he/she gets a higher reward for their performance and carrying the burden of his/her operating expenses.\n\nIs 45% high?  It is hard to say because you didn't specify the type of case.  You opinion about the chances of success might be different that what the attorney thinks or what a jury would think.  There are plenty of other attorneys around that you can call.  Search for them just like you wold any other type of business:  ask for recommendations, call a lawyer referral service, call the better business bureau, ask people you trust.\n\nIf your case is that great, you should be able to find a lawyer to take your case for a lower fee.