Are most lawyers well off?

[RecordProducer]

Thank you for your reply, Herzen. And I got another perspective.

Do YOU like your job?

[Herzen]

Very, very much, RP. My specialty plays to my strengths: research, writing and arguing. I'm not a trial lawyer, so I don't have the stress of trying to convince juries of my clients' virtues (I'm a defense lawyer). I deal with appellate judges who are, for the most part, fair, bright and conscientious.

 

Also, I'm very engaged by the legal subject matters. I handle antitrust matters, not slip-and-falls; discrimination, not fender-benders; civil rights, not collections.

 

And as a partner, I don't have the anxieties that befall associates.

 

It's a good time.

[alphamale]

I think you need to go to law school for 3 years and then JD. For how long does the JD last? What's next after that?

can't help you with that RP...

 

I mean, how do I know that I would be a good lawyer?

the fewer morals you have and the more selfish you are the better for this field. "nice guy/gal" does not cut it as a lawyer

 

Is it possible to stay jobless with a degree in law?

I know a woman who has a law degree and she's driving a taxi at nite. Her private practice as an intellectual property lawyer is failing miserabley. She's looking for a corporate law job but probably won't get it. She is too much off "nice gal". I had sex with her on new yrs almost 5 months ago.

 

Does it happen often that lawyers were so unsuccessful that they had to change careers?

happens all the time sister. one of my ex-bosses wife had a law degree from a top 10 law school. she practiced for a few years and found out she needed to be too mean and nasty to people to be a success. So she went back to school for a social work degree and now she makes $35K per year as a social wkr helping people out....

 

And let's say that I am an average lawyer, can I live a decent life with that income?

Lawyers salaries range from $40k to millions per year. Depends on who you work for and how good you are and how much you want to bend your morals. The field of law you practice is also very dependent on how much you make.

 

it makes me feel like crap and he is rubbing it in my face, that it's HIS money and I should be grateful to him for supporting me.

why don't you start sleeping with the pool boy then?

[RecordProducer]

Very, very much, RP. My specialty plays to my strengths: research, writing and arguing.

Those are my specialties, too!!!! (especially arguing with my husband ). So you're not one of the sharks, but you found your sweet place in the law world, right? Are you satisfied with your earnings?

 

I am not a shark, but then again, I am not interested in making millions. I just want to make a decent salary and enjoy my work.

 

can't help you with that RP...

Thanks.

 

 

the fewer morals you have and the more selfish you are the better for this field. "nice guy/gal" does not cut it as a lawyer

Great! I mean... errr... well... I am going to start a thread about what people on LS think of me.

 

I know a woman who has a law degree and she's driving a taxi at nite. Her private practice as an intellectual property lawyer is failing miserabley. She's looking for a corporate law job but probably won't get it. She is too much off "nice gal".

How do you know she is too nice?

 

I had sex with her on new yrs almost 5 months ago.

You're right - she's way too nice!

 

she practiced for a few years and found out she needed to be too mean and nasty to people to be a success.

Some people find it hard NOT to be mean and nasty. I don't think practicing law is all about being nasty.

 

why don't you start sleeping with the pool boy then?

We don't have a pool.

[Herzen]

I'm very pleased with my earnings. Because I'm a defense attorney, I'm comfortable, not wealthy.

 

I'm more concerned with quality of life issues.

 

No problems, there.

[Curmudgeon]

Do you like your job?

 

Most days I like it just fine. Some days are exceptional when I can be instrumental in either helping get good public policy passed or getting bad public policy killed. Both take a lot of analysis, a lot of back-room dealings and a lot of testimony before policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature.

 

Some days are very frustrating when despite my best efforts, political expediency, a lack of will on the part of the Legislature or undue pressure from special interest groups derail what should occur.

 

I've been doing this for 16 years and have three more to go before retirement. While I've had many success I can count the true triumphs on the fingers of one hand. However, knowing they've resulted in positive outcomes and increased, quality of life protections for millions and millions of people is something I can take with me to my grave, even if none of them know I did it it, and they don't. They don't need to. I do!

[Gunny376]

Harvard University conducted a survey of 1000 of their students, of that initial 1000, two or three hundred stayed in contact over the course of 20 years. Of that two or three hundred, about twenty became multi-millionaires.

 

Of that twenty that became multi-millionaires ~ none of them were in the field they initially trained for, but each one of them were doing things that they were passionate about, and would have done, even if they didn't make any money at it.

 

Its been years since I read the book, and can't even re-call the title, and have long since culled it out from my library.

But the one story that stands out was the young woman who graduated from Smith College, and went on to earn her MBA at Harvard ~ at her parent's insistence.

 

As soon as she graduated ~ she revolted and moved to Chicago, went to cosmetology school and became a cosmetologist. She rented a place, and open her own salon.

 

The owner came to her one day, and said the upper floor was being vacated. She told him she wanted to rent it from him, so she could open her own beauty school. Which she did.

 

Everything was going well, and so she bought the building from the guy who wanted to retire. Things were really going her way.

One day this guy came in, and asked her how much it would cost to buy the place? She told the guy, "Are you crazy! I love this place! Its what I've always dreamed of! I wouldn't sell for a million dollars!"

The next day the guy came in and offered her three million for the place. It use to be where the Sears tower sits today.

 

Do what you love, do what your passionate about? I was a career Marine not because of the pay, etc. I was a career Marine ~ because I loved it, and was passionate about it.

 

Just like the job I have now. Its absurd what I actually do for what I get paid. But for me to live cheaper than I do, I'd have to move to Mexico. I like the people that I work for and with, and the job I've got is low stress, no stress, no pressure, no quotas, don't have to deal with difficult people, BS etc.

 

Do what you love ~ do what your passionate about! The money will take care of itself, because you'll rise to the top of your chossen field.

 

Personally, I wouldn't be a lawyer for all the love nor money. Not that I've got anything against them ~ just not my cup of tea!

 

You need to earn the adjusted for the local cost of Alabama living equivalent of about $40,000 a year. (For example here in rural Alabama is the equivalent of about $110,000 in Beverly Hills or NYNY, you'd be amazed what $200,000 or $300,000 will get you several acres of land and about a 2400 to 3000 sq ft house) to live comfortably.

[amerikajin]

Do your research carefully. I would spend some time shadowing a lawyer, maybe seeing if you couldn't do an internship or something along those lines to get the feel of what it's like to be in a law office before you commit to law school. That way you won't find yourself as a 3rd year law student thinking 'WTF did I sign up for this?' - after you've already sunk about $50k in tuition and other expenses.

 

Yes, you can make some good money being an attorney, but you work for it. You can expect to work about 60-80 hours a week in a private for-profit law firm, and I doubt the workload is that much different elsewhere.

 

If it's just about money, go into sales.

[RecordProducer]

...I came out the wrong way with my question, because I was afraid that I could actually be JOBLESS with a JD degree. I am new to the US and I've heard that pilots, musicians, English major students, etc. look for jobs in other fields.. So I was worried that I could take a loan (since I don't want my husband's money) and actually end up NOT wanted when I graduate. That's why I asked if lawyers do well - I mean decent living.

 

Too bad people are not reading all my posts, but I totally understand that no one has the time to read everything so the same thing is taken the wrong way over and over again.

 

No problem.

 

 

Most days I like it just fine.

Are you passionate about the law itself? I wanted to go for pyschology, but then I realized that I was passionate about the matter itself (the science), but I didn't really want to be a counselor. I don't see any challenge in advising people and getting a reward from their success - which would be failure in most cases. People on LS praise my posts all the time, but except for one lonely case, I've NEVER seen anyone following my advice and actually changing their life. The case where I made a change was a woman whose daughter was molested by her husband; she was going to let him get away with it and I convinced her to report him to the police. She did it and she thanked me for it later. Apart from that one case, everything else boils down to comfort and encouragement. That's fantastic, I really feel good about it, but I can do it for free. I would feel bad to charge people for offering them consolation.

 

Maybe I am getting old(er) and I feel like I want to play "chicken sh*t" with life challenges. Maybe I am just too stressed from this marriage and I feel enormous energy and frustration that I need to release. Maybe my husband convinced me that I am worthless and I want to go for the highest social status. As you see, I am seeking my identity, which all idealists do, according to David Keirsey, a famous psychologist.

 

about twenty became multi-millionaires.

Were they billionaires before that?

 

Gunny, I know two Harvard graduates who are major losers (not that they don't have money to live, but they are scumbags). Those two people don't make Harvard a bad school, nor does a Harvard diploma guarantee you success. You make the best you can out of your life.

 

I already said I was passionate about the occupation. I was just afraid that the occupation might not be passionate about me.

 

Do your research carefully. I would spend some time shadowing a lawyer...

If it's just about money, go into sales.

The idea is good. Thanks. NO! It's not all about the money and I would NEVER go to sales even thugh it might be the best money on earth. I hate sales. I like marketing, finance, and accounting though.

[Tony]

OK, ladies and gentlemen: This is NOT a thread to put down lawyers or to suggest other lines of employment to RP. PLEASE, kindly read the first post in this thread and then be very sure your post is reasonably related to it. Talking about pimps and prostitutes as alternative careers has NO PLACE in this thread.

 

Many kind thanks!

[alphamale]

well, either way RP, I think you should do a lot of research about the law field before you go into it. I've heard from many peopel that the field is saturated and there aren't enough clients to go around.

[Tony T]

well, either way RP, I think you should do a lot of research about the law field before you go into it. I've heard from many peopel that the field is saturated and there aren't enough clients to go around.

 

That's true in many fields. That's why we have competition. That's what makes people excel and be the very best at what they are. If you shy away from something because a lot of others fail at it, it says something about YOU. People who are passionate and confident could care less who is out there doing the same thing. There's always room for another good anything.

[Fun2BMe]

I think you already got a lot of good feedback. You can make a lot of money in many fields as long as you are good at it. It's hard to make money in a given field if you are going into it on the basis of making money vs. something you really enjoy. I took the LSAT last year but changed my mind at least for now to go into law.

 

I don't want to depend on my husband financially; it makes me feel like crap and he is rubbing it in my face, that it's HIS money and I should be grateful to him for supporting me. But most of all, I want to have a nice career and feel productive.

 

What bothers me is that your husband is throwing in your face that he is supporting you. I don't know the details of your marriage but that doesn't sound like a nice situation to be in. Don't be too hard on yourself. I am sure you can find a good paying job with your existing degree. Your husband might resent paying for your education if he is nickel and diming you already.

 

I know a lawyer who HATES doing law and is looking to work in a completely different field, and I know a few others who love it. With your business degree, you can apply for many companies and might find a nice job you will enjoy doing NOW and start feeling productive vs. putting a lot of time and money into law school only to find out it's not for you.

 

If you're not satisfied with a job you can qualify for now, then you can choose to proceed with lawschool possibly or come across something in the workplace that interests you to further advance in that area.