Overrated Career: Attorney

By Marty Nemko

Posted: December 11, 2008

The Appeal: Many college students decide to go to law school by default. After all, a legal career promises prestige, money, and the chance to use the law to make a difference in society. Some aspiring attorneys also picture themselves as the lawyers on TV, making scintillating closing arguments in an expensive suit before a rapt jury.

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The Reality: Most lawyers' lives bear little resemblance to those on Law & Order. Even litigators spend lots of time drafting or poring over sheaves of detailed information and negotiating with other lawyers prone to contentiousness and chicanery. And most lawyers rarely go to trials, working instead as transactional attorneys who need to bill 2,000 hours a year or more to meet the firm's targets. That can mean long evenings drafting lengthy, airtight contracts or other documents. In the corporate world, many lawyers find less fulfillment and more burnout than the public imagines.

An Alternative: Mediation, or a less contentious niche within the law, such as adoption law or, alas, the burgeoning bankruptcy law, which a 2008 survey by Robert Half Legal found to be the fastest-growing specialty within the law.

Learn More: Mediate.com.

Not worth it

I was a lawyer for 28 years, highly skilled, only losing 2 jury trials, and those back in the 70s, and settling my last case for $25 mill (a multi firm team effort). But I still thought it was a shitty way to spend my time and could not wait to retire. I bet I counselled 200 kids who came to me to shy away, and I bet almost all of them didn't listen. They have had numerous job satisfaction surveys over 50 years, and they all come out the same. The only two classes of lawyers who like their jobs are judges and professors, and neither of them practice law.

Plus, the field is overcrowded. Only 25% of the grads find jobs, and half of those in the profession exit by the end of 5 years. If I had had any sense, I would have changed to an MBA in finance like I thought about doing, and wrote off the first year.

Also, the average lawyer doesn't make much money. The national average is 72k, and you are paying back 7 years of student loans to get there. Go be a lab tech at 40k and be debt free when you are 22.

william of IN @ Nov 07, 2009 18:53:29 PM

I hate it

I have practiced law for the last 15 years and I hate it. At first I thought it was my inexperience that made me wonder if I really wanted to do "this" for the rest of my life. Then I got crapped on by partners who are so greedy that no words can describe them. On top of all of it, you are suppose to take the s*** and act as though you are thrilled about it when you graduated higher than the partners and know about the recent changes in the law etc. The whole profession is full of the better than you attitude. I wish I had not even gotten into law school. Yes, I hate the practice of law that much!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jami of OH @ Oct 30, 2009 18:21:00 PM

Solo Lawyer

I worked for my state government for two years during and after law school before being laid off due to state budget cuts (hey I was the youngest attorney in the office). I figured that at 26 and not having a family, now would be the perfect time to try solo practice. I love it!!! While working for the government was fun and rewarding, I really enjoy being my own boss. The money is very VERY tight at first and I am only slowly learning how to get my clients to pay me what I bill them, but I'm getting better at it.

My advice is simple and it is the same as what is on this board. If you want to PRACTICE LAW, go to law school. If you do not, than don't there are much easier advanced degrees out there to get that will take your to more interesting places than a JD. My other piece of advice is "become a ranking" snob. This is counter to what many school administrators will tell you (especially those in lower ranked schools). However the truth is that every law school out there is trying to get into the Top 50 (aka Tier 1) and every Top 50 school wants to crack the top 14. If you cannot get into a Top 50 school, DON'T GO!!! You'll waste a ton of money for dismal job prospects. This country has too many law schools due to the ease at which they can be opened. Many T3 and T4 schools aren't even part of a university. These schools are nothing more than diploma mills. If I sound like a snob, sorry, but keep in mind, those who will employ you are snobs as well.

JB of OH @ Oct 30, 2009 17:17:33 PM

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