Jun
01
If so, in which speciality? And how much do they make? I would still like to make good money if possible. I heard patent lawyers can make like a 1,000,000 dollars a year.
If so, in which speciality? And how much do they make? I would still like to make good money if possible. I heard patent lawyers can make like a 1,000,000 dollars a year.
No.
The field of Law has a mystique that actually exceeds reality. The field of Law is a vastly overrated career – especially by television.<< There are many myths regarding the field of Law:
**myth: working as a Lawyer is mentally challenging (Actually, most work as an attorney involves mountains of routine paperwork: research, cite checking, drafting documents, and document review. Attorneys need to write down and track EVERY activity they do, all day long [in 6 to 15 minutes increments, depending on the billing system] – a painstaking but necessary task – handling details is a large part of working as a lawyer),
**myth: being an attorney is thrilling, high-powered, and glamorous (remember: television is FICTION – the fictional lawyers on TV are ACTORS – the majority of work that an attorney does, does not happen in a courtroom),
**myth: law students think that because they are good at arguing they will become great attorneys (Actually being a great attorney is more in one’s ability to mediate between differing sides and bringing them to agreement/compromise. Many people mistakenly think that being an attorney is about the ability to argue. Actually, a successful attorney is defined by his/her commitment to the PEACEFUL resolution of disputes. Lawyers are actually: mediators, advocates, negotiators, advisors, evaluators, and peaceful intermediaries between clients.),
**myth: as a lawyer I can correct injustices (actually legal decisions are more about reaching compromises than about right vs. wrong),
**myth: guaranteed financial success (actually when salaries are compared, you also need to account for cost-of living expenses [most large law firms are in large cities - the bigger the city, the more cost-of-living expenses will be], payment of debts accrued while attending law school, and time needed to build a client base. Many large law firms require lawyers to work 60-80 hours per week. There are a FEW attorneys that earn a lot of money – but MOST attorneys just about make a living. Most attorneys do not make as much money as most people think. Also, remember: there are more attorneys than there are available jobs.).
And then, to top it off, attorneys have to keep their client’s information confidential. (You cannot use "juicy" tidbits that you have become aware of as fodder for the gossip circles.)
Law is a more demanding profession than most people realize. It is not like what you see on TV.
Cost of law school to be lawyer, approx $150,000+. Be prepared to take on a LOT of debt, if becoming an attorney is your "true", ultimate goal!!!<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Even after paying the expensive tuition, you still need to pay for books, room and board, and miscellaneous fees.
The legal profession leaves little room for outside interests. Commitment to the law profession tends to produce an unbalanced lifestyle.
The competition to get into law school is intense. Applicants to most law schools greatly exceed the number that can be admitted.
Even if you finish law school, you won’t be able to find a job when you are done. Since this vocational field is shrinking (at an alarming rate), many new attorneys/lawyers are, themselves, having to work "down" as Paralegals, Legal Assistants, Legal Secretaries, Bailiffs, Court Reporters, etc, etc, to simply try to keep some of their bills paid <<this would be your competition. And the competition is fierce in TODAY’s job market!!
Now… the law schools know this, but they won’t tell you the truth >that the job market/economy is just SATURATED with way too many Legal Professionals. Instead the schools will feed you a fairytale and will LIE to you. The root of the problem is we already have too many law schools. We are STILL in a Recession, and the schools are fighting for their own survival – they will tell students anything to get to the students’ money. (Which is why they won’t tell you the truth about the job market for the field of Law.) And these schools continue to recruit and churn out even more graduates………….Remember>>> law schools are BUSINESSES – their TOP concern is making money for themselves.
>>>>>THE #1 MOST IMPORTANT THING (and I can’t stress this enough>>>): You ESPECIALLY have to beware of the BOGUS, INFLATED law school salary/job stats given out by >law schools< (AND by the U.S. Bureau of Labor)!!***<<<<<
If you don’t believe me, then:
**Check out these websites:
http://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Lawyer-in-the-United-States
http://informeddecisionmaking.blogspot.com
http://calicocat.com/2004/08/law-school-big-lie.html
http://abajournal.com/news/triplt_bad_news_for_law_students_three_firms_aX_summer_associate_programs/
http://abajournal.com/news/as_rio_tinto_saves_millions_other_corps_will_outsource_too_counsel_says/
http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/02/03/dont-try-to-dodge-the-recession-with-grad-school/
http://lawschoolscam.blogspot.com
Pro bono/public interest lawyers work regular business hours, but the pay isn’t that great. It’s one or the other in this field. Attorneys are paid by the hour, so those making $1,000,000/yr get 4 hours of sleep a week.
Yes, they are called the boss and they became the boss by working ridiculous hours. There is no such thing as free money. You want a million dollars a year? You are going to work for it. Period. If you are interested in the law only for money, she will chew you up, spit you out and laugh in your face.