Are you a lawyer? how do you like it?

I'm a second year law school student. You're right to notice the large amount of dissatisfaction in law practice. It is a serious problem that has struck in the past few decades. There are a great many miserable lawyers. So why am I still planning to go into law? Well, I think the statistics need to be taken with a grain of salt. Studies have shown that the dissatisfaction in legal careers often occurs in larger firms. When asked for the reasons why they're unhappy, lawyers often point to overwhelming workloads, unfulfilling work, and high levels of stress. The workloads tend to be very high in large firms, with some firms asking upwards of 2600 billable hours per year (50 billable hrs). Billable hours include only those hours actively working on cases, so any breaks aren't factored in. The work that is asked includes working piecemeal on cases where you never really get to know the client. The work is entirely alienated from the real world. And often, it is on very harsh deadlines with unpleasant consequences for failure. These problems are endemic in large firms. They are less common in medium and small firms, and can be entirely non-existent in governmental, in-house, and independent practices. I work for two extremely happy attorneys, both with their own practice and a great deal of freedom. They're making good money, they love their lives, and (most importantly) they have control over their work. I also know a number of lawyers who work with big firms and are miserable. Your happiness in the field would really depend on what path you take, not statistics.

To answer your question, no I am not a lawyer. But I know one of my professors has 3 (Yes, three) Ph.D's. One is in engineering, one in Theology and another about the Bible. He has lawyer friends who say they would get out tomorrow if they could. Food for thought.

contact a criminal law firm in your area tell them you would like to become a jr partner in their firm they will guide you through the proper procedures to become a very successful lawyer good luck!

I have been a lawyer for 33 years, and it has been great for me. Like all work and all professions there are highs and lows. The work is demanding and not everyone likes it. The pressure is high, no matter what type of law you practice. Sometimes it is dull, occasionally it is exciting. If you like debate that is at least some indication that you might be a good lawyer. You don't have to decide now. Concentrate on your undergrad degree and a well rounded education first. Keep law in mind as an option, but make a final decision later.

Lawyers hardly ever show up to work, meet with clients in their offices, make court appearances on behalf of the client, visit clients in jail, and talk to other attorneys. The Paralegal/Legal Assistant does all the work. I've worked for attorneys who knew nothing about their cases an hour before court and want the Asst. to brief them on what they're going to court for. The Asst. does all the reasearch, writes all the documents, handles all the phone calls, handles money intake, etc and everything else and gets paid crappy wages. I used to want to be an attorney until I worked for one. Government debate is nothing like what attorney's do. If you like debate look into political science. The law is much, much, much different. Lawyers are either ambulance chasers who file lawsuits all the time against innocent people and make mega bucks, while again the Asst. does all the work, or they practice criminal and family law. Others that work in business law, constitutional law, social justice, etc usually work for companies or large firms.