2 answers
Vanessa
Student
1
Question
Updated
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Can anyone help me with a school assignment?
I need to interview a lawyer for an assignment. Here are the questions:
1. What is your area of expertise?
2. What is your salary?
3. What is a normal work day look like for you?
4. If you could go back in time, would you have still chosen this career path?
5. What is the most rewarding part of your work, and what is the most difficult?
6. What is the main advice you would give students who want to pursue this career?
Thank you so much in advance!
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2 answers
Amber Lee
Tax Associate
67
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Amber’s Answer
Hi Vanessa,
I'm a licensed attorney but I do not practice law in my current role. I thought it would be great to give you my two cents from the perspective of someone who did not follow the conventional legal career path.
1. What is your area of expertise? I work in mergers and acquisitions tax in an accounting firm. As a law student, I completed a masters in law in taxation, so my skills set carry over nicely to my current role.
2. What is your salary? I would venture to say that salary for my position vary from city to city, and it also depends on the staff's education qualifications (e.g., whether they have a CPA or a law degree).
3. What is a normal work day look like for you? My work is project-based, so depending on how much I have on my plate, my day could start from 8 am and ends past 11 pm, or it could end right at 5 pm. At this stage of my career, I often conduct tax research, draft reports and opinions, prepare powerpoint decks to illustrate steps in structuring projects, and attend both internal and external client meetings.
4. If you could go back in time, would you have still chosen this career path? This is a hard one. I feel like I didn't necessarily choose this career path--it just sort of happened that way when I landed an internship position in this specific field as a law student. And since I'm pretty decent in this field, I decided to stick with it and see where it takes me. I suppose if I had gone back in time and different opportunities had presented themselves, I wouldn't necessarily say no to them. All that is to say--I am open to exploring different career paths if I had gone back in time.
5. What is the most rewarding part of your work, and what is the most difficult? The most rewarding part is seeing how my team's hard work contributes to the successful completion of a project. The hardest part is definitely the workload. I've spent months working weekends and having no weeknights to myself. It can be very physically and mentally draining.
6. What is the main advice you would give students who want to pursue this career? Stay curious! Try out different things and see what you enjoy.
I'm a licensed attorney but I do not practice law in my current role. I thought it would be great to give you my two cents from the perspective of someone who did not follow the conventional legal career path.
1. What is your area of expertise? I work in mergers and acquisitions tax in an accounting firm. As a law student, I completed a masters in law in taxation, so my skills set carry over nicely to my current role.
2. What is your salary? I would venture to say that salary for my position vary from city to city, and it also depends on the staff's education qualifications (e.g., whether they have a CPA or a law degree).
3. What is a normal work day look like for you? My work is project-based, so depending on how much I have on my plate, my day could start from 8 am and ends past 11 pm, or it could end right at 5 pm. At this stage of my career, I often conduct tax research, draft reports and opinions, prepare powerpoint decks to illustrate steps in structuring projects, and attend both internal and external client meetings.
4. If you could go back in time, would you have still chosen this career path? This is a hard one. I feel like I didn't necessarily choose this career path--it just sort of happened that way when I landed an internship position in this specific field as a law student. And since I'm pretty decent in this field, I decided to stick with it and see where it takes me. I suppose if I had gone back in time and different opportunities had presented themselves, I wouldn't necessarily say no to them. All that is to say--I am open to exploring different career paths if I had gone back in time.
5. What is the most rewarding part of your work, and what is the most difficult? The most rewarding part is seeing how my team's hard work contributes to the successful completion of a project. The hardest part is definitely the workload. I've spent months working weekends and having no weeknights to myself. It can be very physically and mentally draining.
6. What is the main advice you would give students who want to pursue this career? Stay curious! Try out different things and see what you enjoy.
DENNIS BREEN
Lawyer
177
Answers
Cary, North Carolina
Updated
DENNIS’s Answer
Hi Vanessa:
I have been a lawyer for 45 years. I hope this helps!
1. I was a trial lawyer in NYC for 39 years in civil cases only (no criminal) ; 2. Salary varied from year to year depending on cases. 3. There were no "normal" work days. When on trial we were at the office as late as it took. When not on trial I usually worked from 9 until about 5:30 -6 PM. 4. I wanted to be a doctor when younger but did not have the science grades for it. Trying civil cases allowed me to learn all about medicine and treatment. So, in answer, back in time I would still choose being a lawyer. 5. When you win a case and help a person or family in need it is a great feeling. You change lives. Losing is not so hot! 6. Main advice - be true to yourself. Your internal instincts will tell you which path to choose. Don't force things. Be yourself.
Good luck!
I have been a lawyer for 45 years. I hope this helps!
1. I was a trial lawyer in NYC for 39 years in civil cases only (no criminal) ; 2. Salary varied from year to year depending on cases. 3. There were no "normal" work days. When on trial we were at the office as late as it took. When not on trial I usually worked from 9 until about 5:30 -6 PM. 4. I wanted to be a doctor when younger but did not have the science grades for it. Trying civil cases allowed me to learn all about medicine and treatment. So, in answer, back in time I would still choose being a lawyer. 5. When you win a case and help a person or family in need it is a great feeling. You change lives. Losing is not so hot! 6. Main advice - be true to yourself. Your internal instincts will tell you which path to choose. Don't force things. Be yourself.
Good luck!