Per year, what % of average people need a lawyer for something in their lives & how many actually get one?
364910
Good luck.\n\nMy personal opinion is that 100% of people could use an atty and probably only 25% get one.\n\nMaybe the prepaid legal people have some facts.  It would make sense that they might use it as part of a sales pitch.  http://www.prepaidlegal.com
212339
Most have law degrees - business/marketing etc. might be helpful. Having no soul would also be helpful.\nAs Drew Rosenhaus would say, "Next question"
470378
For some corporate and private practice lawyers the prospect of money--and lots of it--is enough to overcome the tedium. These lawyers can easily pull in hefty six figure salaries averaging between $100,000 and $300,000 annually. But some reject the money and choose to use their law background in other ways. Some lawyers edit law books or teach in law schools. Others use their law skills as a stepping stone to public office. Some lawyers serve as elected or appointed public officials, including district attorney, public prosecutor, and judge. Others seek elected office as state or national legislators. At the highest levels, cabinet officers, heads of government agencies, and even the president of the United States are all frequently drawn from the ranks of successful law practitioners.
408903
No exactly. But since a family member is already a lawyer, you get to know the field better. You have a better exposure in the said field. \n\nNot only a lawyer but even may be a doctor or engineer. Its not in the blood. Its in the mind where they carry the interest towards the profeesion.
184420
Typically they are using their best knowledge of how to use the law to defend a case that their client brings them.  If you are on the wrong side of that case it can suck.  If you are on the right side of the case you love that lawyer.  Especially if you've been screwed so many times without using one.
294806
Your lawyer should be able to provide one for you.
736983
Lawyers & Politicians ?
292840
Sure! When I was in law school, one of my favorite fellow students was over 60!  Passed the bar exam on the first try, too!
432547
I don't think people realize what it is that they really hate about lawyers. I know their great in a lot of ways, but I think that I hate the way they can really turn the truth into a lie.Just depends on who they have to defend.\nIts their job. Poor guys, and gals. You gotta do  what you gotta do.
106042
A lawyer is a person licensed by the state to advise clients in legal matters and represent them in courts of law and in other forms of dispute resolution. Most countries today require professional law advisors in their judicial systems.\n\nThe role of the lawyer can vary significantly across legal jurisdictions. For instance, in some countries, lawyers may be required to lead or manage criminal investigations. In the United States, lawyers advise their clients regarding their rights, and argue in favor of the best interests of their clients.
701146
99%.  I have been practicing in both the public and private sector for 8 years, and most lawyers are generally honest.  I can only think of one (of many thousands) with whom I have dealt that I would consider dishonest.  I don't know where that perception comes from.  It's undeserved.  \n\nI would trust a lawyer before I would trust a real estate broker (the least trustworthy and most self interested people in the world, in my opinion), some doctors, all dentists (all the one I know are at least a little bit nuts), and even some priests.
755948
Your local bar association can usually hook you up with one.  My late dad was required to do a few probono cases every year, all attorneys should.
209700
You need a attorney that specializes in Social Security.
217796
It depends on what you need one for.  If you have a question about a specific lawyer, you can always contact your local Barr association and check them out.
307124
Right now, there are so many new law school graduates, unless she is at the top of her class, she will probably have to take what she can get.\n\nUsually when you graduate law school, you start working for whoever will hire you.  For the first few months, you will be doing research and busy work.  That's actually a good thing because you will be studying for the Bar exam at the same time.\n\nThere are many misconceptions as to what the day-to-day life of a lawyer is like (it's not like LA Law).  Most lawyers will eventually work in a few different fields anyway, so I wouldn't worry too much about it.
448240
If you have someone in legal trouble, anyone can hire a lawyer.  \n\nThe person you are hiring a lawyer for must first want the lawyer you are hiring.  \n\nSecond, who is going to pay for the lawyer?\n\nAnyone can hire a lawyer for anyone.  It's up to the person needing the lawyer to say, yeah...I want that lawyer you're hiring and thank for paying them for me.
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.