Is becoming a lawyer even a good career path any more?

Question

I have been getting dozens of mixed reports from people, articles, the news, blogs ect. I have sources saying becoming a lawyer is an awful career where you are saddled with debt and broke for the rest of your life. Other sources say you will get a 6 figure salary right out of the gate and will be financially well off. Other sources say that the need for lawyers will die out soon because companies are outsourcing to India and with programs like legal zoom for getting legal documents doesn't require the middle man (a lawyer). Then I am hearing there are more people graduating from law schools each year than there are jobs for lawyers. Then am I also hearing that unless you graduate from Harvard of some other ivy league law school you are screwed. Other people disagree with that. I am just so fed up with the dozens of varying opinions and reports. All the reports contradict each other. I want to hear from someone actually in the legal field who is a lawyer or at least works with some. Could you address my concerns like what is their average entry level salary, what does the job market for lawyers look like and what is the outlook for the next decade, Do you need to go to a top law school to get a good job, ect

Answer 1

Does the law school you attend really affect your ability to get a job? Very much so for your first job, less so as you move on and, hopefully, gather professional accomplishments that show your potential.



Most of the big firms only recruit from top 10 schools — or maybe 15 or 20, but definitely there’s a limit. That does not mean a student from a lower ranked school can’t apply to a top-notch firm, but top-status firms are not reaching out to students from these schools.

Answer 2

I want to commend you for learning this primary. But.................... Warning! Jobs in the subject of law are drying up quick!! This isn't a excellent field to invest time and/or money into. This is a SHRINKING vocational subject. Many explanations. Many causes. Many individuals at present suppose they can do their possess legal work, because of the internet. We effortlessly have way TOO MANY legal specialists - we have now an absolute GLUT!! ("authorized specialists" includes, however is just not confined to: Attorneys/legal professionals, Paralegals, authorized Assistants, authorized Secretaries, Bailiffs, court reporters, and many others, and so on) About the one method to discover a job within the subject of law is to have a relative already high up in a law corporation. Being a attorney just isn't like what you see on tv. Television glamorizes everything. You do various paperwork................... Legislation school will price approx $150,000+. Even if you conclude legislation college, you won't be in a position to find a job if you end up performed. Due to the fact this vocational discipline is shrinking, many new attorneys/attorneys are, themselves, having to work "down" as Paralegals, legal Assistants, authorized Secretaries, Bailiffs, courtroom newshounds, and many others, and many others, to conveniently attempt to preserve a few of THEIR expenses paid that the job market/economy is SATURATED with means TOO MANY legal professionals. As an alternative the colleges will feed you a fairytale and will deceive you. The foundation of the trouble is we've too many regulation faculties. We are in a recession, and the schools are fighting for his or her own survival - they will tell students whatever to get to the scholars' cash. (Which is why they will not let you know the reality about the job market for the subject of law.) AND these schools continue to recruit and churn out even more authorized experts............. When you don't believe me, then just do a SEARCH here on Yahoo answers to see what other posters are announcing about the current status of the area of legislation. Within the publication "So you want to be a legal professional? By Marianne Calabrese and susanne Calabrese (ISBN zero-88391-136-1): "the us has more attorneys than every other nation on this planet. About 38,000 students graduate each and every year from 200 law schools in the us. The competition is very eager for jobs and consumers." If you need a JOB when you're performed together with your stories, recall and seem into the discipline of HEALTHCARE!

Answer 3

I was in the Criminal Justice System for 32 yrs. The truth is a few well known attorneys make good money. The majority of attorneys work for middle class salaries as part of the legal department for corporations. Corporate attorneys earn a monthly salary like an engineer or other employee. The remainder are starving and chasing ambulances to get a dollar.

Answer 4

as long as you understand that you are reading a script and are not in charge but still need to learn the material and as you move up and get better at it you can start negotiating with the big boys in the back room on how to handle someones life ...

Answer 5

Lawyers still earn $45,292 on an entry level.