Why would a person making millions as a lawyer become a senator making 250,000?
155703
Because now you have made investments and have an ownership stake in businesses and properties--as a senator you can manipulate the legal to make that even more profitable. That way you can make even more money without having to actually do any work. \n\nA great example is lawmakers with a stake in the oil industry constantly try to get their hands on Alaska protected lands for drilling despite the fact that it is almost universally unpopular among American citizens. They do that by sneaking it into bills for supporting our overseas troops, budget bill, just about anything they think they can get away with.\n\nBTW, any ideas as to who ends up paying for all that profit? You do through lost public lands and public programs, etc. That tax break (for you $300, for Cheney $300,000) cost you in medical care, clean air and water, safe parks and schools, child care, road repairs, the list goes on and on. See if you can replace them with your $300.
976853
I happen to be a lawyer.  I was somewhat older when I started law school (30), so there wasn't an illusion of showing up to save the world from all of the injustices, however, I wanted to be really good at what I did.  After working in private practice for 4 years, I struck out on my own.  It has been a struggle to establish a solid client base, but I love being my own boss, getting to pick and choose what cases I want to take, and setting my own hours.  It really gives me a lot more time to spend with my family.  Not the typical burning the midnight oil scenario.  What I truly despise are the people who stereotype the entire legal profession as power hungry, greedy, blood sucking vultures.  That is entirely untrue, and while there are unsavory persons in any profession, many attorneys in my community are truly concerned and caring individuals who volunteer their time on many occasions to help those less fortunate.  Enough said!!
908518
my best friend does that in australia and makes about $250,000 per year...that may be higher than average
951106
Depends on what you want to do after law school. Let me break this down into two parts...\n\nIf your desire to be an attorney is altruistic, and you're doing it because you really want to help people, then yes. The average law school graduate will be around $90,000 in debt by the time they finish law school. That covers tuition, expenses, room & board, etc. It's a huge debt, yes. The average salary after graduation/passing the Bar is about $45,000. You will barely be able to cover living expenses plus loan repayment, but you WILL....and you'll be doing something you love. \n\nIf you plan on becoming a lawyer just to make money, then I'd think long and hard about it. Yes, it is possible to make a lot of money...but those that do are either extremely lucky or extremely good. I wouldn't hinge my plans on getting rich.
964544
Attorneys have to go to law school, and pass the bar. \nThey can help out a friend, without asking for money in return. Other than that, would you really want someone who had only some knowledge of the legal system, or someone who actually kept abreast of things in the legal system.
414656
Between $250,000 to $350,000 or more.
530156
Simple is the answer people who have some money have access to people with even more money and it takes alot of money to get elected.a politician cant upset the apple cart and get elected ross perrot had alot of money but wasnt able to get elected.you must remain true to what works for big business without rasing taxes or cutting entitlments to the people.its a tricky rollacoaster ride for most politicians it takes money to get elected but it takes the people who got you there to keep you there the media supports candidates at all levels and are owned by a wealthy group of americans and forigners whos profits are tied directly to the political influence they control in congress and apponties abroad look at the people who come with the canidates to see who they are owned by most are run by large multinational corps. with profit as the agenda a candidate who has people support can often be ruined in the press unfit .to lead whatever that means usually liberal wanting to give back to much to the workers of america and protect the enviroment and force business to assume responcibility for there workers and the enviroment around them. so you see it is simple.
1021583
Large amounts are taken out of your paycheck for social security because that is where the Senate and House get their retirement from. Their pay stays the same on retirement and they will get more in one month than you get all year.
486669
It depends on where or what city, up to 250K.
771752
Sure,happens all the time. Thats why good defense attorneys make the big bucks, he knows how to manipulate the system to circumvent any guilt and cause doubt in the jurys minds. Look at OJ Simpson and others. Basically it comes down to the more money you have the less guilty you are. Client-attorney privledge prevents any true fact between them from being known to anyone else. Another one of the fine perks of our legal system.
123116
If you want to craft new legislation, half the people will not read between the lines and miss your legal loop-holes.\n A lawyer is born.
982523
I presume you're expressing an interest in corporate law because you'd like to work for one of the largest, highest paying law firms in the country.  Frankly, the only reason these firms pay $125,000 a year to newly-minted lawyers is because they're expected to often work over 100 hours per week and put up with abuse that would never be tolerated by a lesser-paid person.\n\nBut if this is what you want, there's only one way to get it.  And that is to get admitted into the most prestigious law school that will accept you.  The large, corporate law firms receive over 10,000 resumes each year.  Recruiters don't have time to peruse all of your qualifications; so they first look for a reason NOT to hire you.  And the first thing they'll look at is where you got your degree from.  If it didn't come from a top-15 or top-20 law school (as defined each year by US News & World Report), you'll get nothing except a polite rejection letter.  Generally speaking, the only exceptions are if you've got an inside connection with someone at the firm (friend, family, etc.), or if you're politically connected.\n\nMy advice is to apply several (if not all) of the top-20 law schools and hope that one of them admits you.  If you get admitted by more than one school, then you have the luxury of being more selective.\n\nIf you truly possess the credentials to become admitted to Yale, then you are also qualified for admission into Harvard.  Yale is traditionally regarded as more laid back, philosophical and academic-oriented; a much higher percentage of Yale Law School graduates go into judicial clerkships, academia, and government positions than graduates of Harvard.  Harvard, on the other hand, has a reputation for admitting students that are much more competitive and offers a stronger emphasis on real-world applications.  A much higher percentage of HLS graduates go to work for corporate law firms than YLS grads.\n\nA search of the biggest firms at www.martindale.com will reveal that almost all of the attorneys in large, corporate firms graduated from law schools ranked in the U.S. News top 20.  So if this is truly your goal, then that is where you should start.\n\nGood luck.
475395
WANT TO BE A SUPER STAR, go defense, that is where the money is.  You want to run for office become a prosecutor. Either way you will learn that wining is the only goal.  Justice seems to fade away in the back ground.  Sorry to give you a cold look at it, but I have had to deal with way to many lawyers. The less heart breaking area is corporate law. Unless you work with a company like Enron.
736983
Lawyers & Politicians ?
33717
No, it's rare that a Senator has become President.  Then you have to factor in the last time he ran he got busted for plagerism.  Then you have this Abramoff Scandle bloomings in which I think I saw he received money from him.
1040982
Because you're an amateur. After you get an MBA, a CPA, and a job at a prestigious brokerage, people will PAY you for your advice. Not before.
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.