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What interested you in becoming a lawyer?
#criminal-justice #law #lawyer
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Suzanne’s Answer
Some lawyers became the kind of lawyer they are because even before law school, they knew they wanted to be a criminal lawyer or an environmental lawyer or a corporate lawyer, etc.
Many other lawyers go to law school because they are good at critical thinking, or writing, or advising people, and they recognize (or hope, but they're right), that there is a wide variety of careers one can have as a lawyer that leverage those skills and interests. Once in law school, or after graduation, those lawyers need to find their jobs and careers in the law. Some of us reinvent our careers several times along the way.
The first law job I had after graduating was as a class action litigator, because I thought the research and advocacy in litigating seemed really interesting, and I could help people while doing a fun, interesting job. At some point, I tired of being in a field (litigation) that felt to me like it involved constant disagreeing and each side making things hard for the other side. I became a securities lawyer at that point. Almost by accident, but I love what I do. My clients appreciate my help. Everyone in the room wants the same thing. I get to help make sure that good narratives get out there, that they are truthful and not misleading. Clients come to me because they want to do something and they need my expertise to do it right, and I help them. In the best cases, they also value my business advice.
Many other lawyers go to law school because they are good at critical thinking, or writing, or advising people, and they recognize (or hope, but they're right), that there is a wide variety of careers one can have as a lawyer that leverage those skills and interests. Once in law school, or after graduation, those lawyers need to find their jobs and careers in the law. Some of us reinvent our careers several times along the way.
The first law job I had after graduating was as a class action litigator, because I thought the research and advocacy in litigating seemed really interesting, and I could help people while doing a fun, interesting job. At some point, I tired of being in a field (litigation) that felt to me like it involved constant disagreeing and each side making things hard for the other side. I became a securities lawyer at that point. Almost by accident, but I love what I do. My clients appreciate my help. Everyone in the room wants the same thing. I get to help make sure that good narratives get out there, that they are truthful and not misleading. Clients come to me because they want to do something and they need my expertise to do it right, and I help them. In the best cases, they also value my business advice.
Updated
Kathryne’s Answer
Hi, Jessica!
I am not a lawyer. I am a third-year law student (usually law school programs are three years long), but I thought I would answer your question about being a lawyer because you have to go to law school in order to be one!
So, I really enjoy reading and critical thinking. Law school, and being a lawyer, is really about these two things (and writing depending on the type of law that you go into). I think going to law school is something that you should think about if you like to learn, and you want to help people. The practice of law is about getting a problem that someone has and using the law to solve the problem for that person (like a puzzle). You are always questioning things and trying to make sense of things in law.
I hope this helps
I am not a lawyer. I am a third-year law student (usually law school programs are three years long), but I thought I would answer your question about being a lawyer because you have to go to law school in order to be one!
So, I really enjoy reading and critical thinking. Law school, and being a lawyer, is really about these two things (and writing depending on the type of law that you go into). I think going to law school is something that you should think about if you like to learn, and you want to help people. The practice of law is about getting a problem that someone has and using the law to solve the problem for that person (like a puzzle). You are always questioning things and trying to make sense of things in law.
I hope this helps
Updated
McKenzie’s Answer
Hi Jessica!
There were a number of reasons I wanted to become a lawyer. While it law school, I focused on family and criminal law. I found these areas to be exciting and allow me the ability to help others. Overtime, I came to realize that litigation was not for me, and switched focus to negotiating complex contracts. I love that every day I am working on something new and challenging. Every contract and every customer is different, so it is stimulating to always have a new issue to analyze.
There were a number of reasons I wanted to become a lawyer. While it law school, I focused on family and criminal law. I found these areas to be exciting and allow me the ability to help others. Overtime, I came to realize that litigation was not for me, and switched focus to negotiating complex contracts. I love that every day I am working on something new and challenging. Every contract and every customer is different, so it is stimulating to always have a new issue to analyze.
Updated
Ron’s Answer
I grew up in a crime-ridden neighborhood and when my family fell victim to crimes, I was tired of feeling powerless to help.
I wanted to help people so they won't have to go through what I did. So I became a prosecutor.
I wanted to help people so they won't have to go through what I did. So I became a prosecutor.
Updated
Jonathan’s Answer
I went to law school school to learn to think like a lawyer not to be one long term. People told me that lawyers can do true. But you don’t find lawyers outside of the legal. If you plan on going to law school plan on being a lawyer until you retire