6 answers
Andrew
Student
Chandler, Arizona
2
Questions
Asked
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How much work, time, and effort does it take to become a lawyer?
This means how much work are you getting in law school, how many years does it take, and how hard is it being a lawyer?
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6 answers
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1664
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Andrew,
It usually takes 7 years. Four to get a Bachelors Degree, and Three to go to law school.
While you are working on your Bachelors degree, you are trying to take classes that will help prepare you for law school, trying hard to get and keep a good GPA, and getting involved in various extracurricular activities to satisfy the "leadership" and "Community involvement" expectations of law schools. During this time you will also take the LSAT - Law School Admissions Test. It is unlike any test you have ever taken before. There is a whole section called "logic games." You will not have time on the test to get the answer by trial and error, you will have to know how to solve these questions. But, you can take classes to prepare you for that as well. I don't know if they are offered through the colleges, or just outside of college. WHEW! We haven't even gotten to law school yet!
Law School is grueling. And competitive. And you spend your summers doing internships to try to give you a leg-up on landing a job once you graduate. You will be studying, researching, writing, being challenged to think about things from all different perspectives. Towards the end of law school, you will take the Bar Exam. You get multiple attempts to pass it. If you do not pass it, you cannot work as an attorney. You should research the "Pass rates" for whatever law schools you are considering.
Being a lawyer. Looonnnnnnggggggg hours. I'm talking 60-75 hrs a week. Little social life. Strain on relationships. Nerves stressed out. Stomach problems. Sleeping problems.
BUT - it eventually settles down. You find your groove. There are things you now know so you don't have to look up every little thing. You find time to go play tennis or basketball at lunch.
Honestly, you have to really want it. But, it's rewarding work, and, because there are so many different types of law you could go into, the work hours and expectations vary from one to the next.
Do you have any idea what field of law you are interested in? It can be a very rewarding career. Good luck to you!
It usually takes 7 years. Four to get a Bachelors Degree, and Three to go to law school.
While you are working on your Bachelors degree, you are trying to take classes that will help prepare you for law school, trying hard to get and keep a good GPA, and getting involved in various extracurricular activities to satisfy the "leadership" and "Community involvement" expectations of law schools. During this time you will also take the LSAT - Law School Admissions Test. It is unlike any test you have ever taken before. There is a whole section called "logic games." You will not have time on the test to get the answer by trial and error, you will have to know how to solve these questions. But, you can take classes to prepare you for that as well. I don't know if they are offered through the colleges, or just outside of college. WHEW! We haven't even gotten to law school yet!
Law School is grueling. And competitive. And you spend your summers doing internships to try to give you a leg-up on landing a job once you graduate. You will be studying, researching, writing, being challenged to think about things from all different perspectives. Towards the end of law school, you will take the Bar Exam. You get multiple attempts to pass it. If you do not pass it, you cannot work as an attorney. You should research the "Pass rates" for whatever law schools you are considering.
Being a lawyer. Looonnnnnnggggggg hours. I'm talking 60-75 hrs a week. Little social life. Strain on relationships. Nerves stressed out. Stomach problems. Sleeping problems.
BUT - it eventually settles down. You find your groove. There are things you now know so you don't have to look up every little thing. You find time to go play tennis or basketball at lunch.
Honestly, you have to really want it. But, it's rewarding work, and, because there are so many different types of law you could go into, the work hours and expectations vary from one to the next.
Do you have any idea what field of law you are interested in? It can be a very rewarding career. Good luck to you!
1600 questions answered. You are crushing it Kim, Congrats
Doc Frick
did not notice - thanks!! you are closing in on me. . .
Kim Igleheart
Job Hall
Real Estate Manager
113
Answers
Reno, Nevada
Updated
Job’s Answer
Law school was one of the hardest educational experiences of my life. I always had straight A's until law school.
Law school can be done in 3 years up to 6 years. I did it in 3. You will learn new concepts and ways of looking at issues. You then have to take the bar exam which is difficult
Law school does not really prepare you to be an attorney, it teaches you concepts and how to pass the bar exam. You will want to work in the schools legal clinic or clerk for a judge to truly understand how to be an attorney. After a few years of working as an attorney you will be proficient in the field of law you are working in.
It is all difficult but also can be very economically and personally rewarding.
Good luck
Law school can be done in 3 years up to 6 years. I did it in 3. You will learn new concepts and ways of looking at issues. You then have to take the bar exam which is difficult
Law school does not really prepare you to be an attorney, it teaches you concepts and how to pass the bar exam. You will want to work in the schools legal clinic or clerk for a judge to truly understand how to be an attorney. After a few years of working as an attorney you will be proficient in the field of law you are working in.
It is all difficult but also can be very economically and personally rewarding.
Good luck
sharmela bachu
Lawyer
16
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
sharmela’s Answer
Hey Andrew, law school is indeed a challenging journey due to the specifics of the curriculum. However, the exact details might differ from one institution to another. For instance, some schools offer clinics where you can practice providing legal aid to people while still studying. Just like undergraduate studies, law schools also have mandatory core courses and optional electives. Your workload can be handled effectively with solid organizational skills and learning to prioritize other aspects of your life. Law school is a fascinating yet demanding field that might require a higher level of dedication compared to other disciplines.
Best of luck should you choose to embark on this law school adventure.
Best of luck should you choose to embark on this law school adventure.
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1349
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Andrew if you want to become a lawyer, you should know that it does not happen overnight.
LAW PROFESSION REQUIRES 8 YEARS
You must first complete your education, and that can take up to 8 years. It’s no secret that law school is gruelling. You'll have long days and even longer nights. You'll spend all your free time studying and writing papers, training in legal cases, seminars, workshops, court visits, mooting and debating. And, perhaps the most daunting of all, you'll probably have no time for a social life.
LAW PROFESSION HAS LONG HOURS
The legal profession has long been known for its intense work culture. Lawyers often work long hours to meet the demands of their clients and their firms. This can result in a desire to spend more time researching, preparing, and analyzing information to build the case for their clients. However, many lawyers possess a strong work ethic and a dedication to their clients. This can drive them to put in extra time and effort to ensure their clients receive the best representation. In addition, lawyers are often perfectionists who strive to achieve the best possible outcome in every case.
LAW PROFESSION IS VERY COMPETITIVE
There are several reasons for this ultra-competitiveness. The sheer number of people who study law these days. The supply of lawyers exceeds the demand for lawyers by a significant amount. As a result, some lawyers have trouble finding work after obtaining their degrees. One of the best pieces of advice I can give you, is to elevate your skill set. Become the type of lawyer that's hard to find by picking up valuable skills. Learning new technologies and entering niche legal markets, are excellent ways to stand out.
LAW PROFESSION IS REWARDING
Above all Andrew, the experience is incredibly rewarding. The people you meet and the good you do make all of these challenges worth the headache. So don't ever doubt your career path. Being a lawyer is what you're passionate about, so push on.
Join a student organization to learn more about law school. There are several student organizations that host events for students to learn more about the law school experience.
LAW PROFESSION REQUIRES 8 YEARS
You must first complete your education, and that can take up to 8 years. It’s no secret that law school is gruelling. You'll have long days and even longer nights. You'll spend all your free time studying and writing papers, training in legal cases, seminars, workshops, court visits, mooting and debating. And, perhaps the most daunting of all, you'll probably have no time for a social life.
LAW PROFESSION HAS LONG HOURS
The legal profession has long been known for its intense work culture. Lawyers often work long hours to meet the demands of their clients and their firms. This can result in a desire to spend more time researching, preparing, and analyzing information to build the case for their clients. However, many lawyers possess a strong work ethic and a dedication to their clients. This can drive them to put in extra time and effort to ensure their clients receive the best representation. In addition, lawyers are often perfectionists who strive to achieve the best possible outcome in every case.
LAW PROFESSION IS VERY COMPETITIVE
There are several reasons for this ultra-competitiveness. The sheer number of people who study law these days. The supply of lawyers exceeds the demand for lawyers by a significant amount. As a result, some lawyers have trouble finding work after obtaining their degrees. One of the best pieces of advice I can give you, is to elevate your skill set. Become the type of lawyer that's hard to find by picking up valuable skills. Learning new technologies and entering niche legal markets, are excellent ways to stand out.
LAW PROFESSION IS REWARDING
Above all Andrew, the experience is incredibly rewarding. The people you meet and the good you do make all of these challenges worth the headache. So don't ever doubt your career path. Being a lawyer is what you're passionate about, so push on.
Doc recommends the following next steps:
Morgan Skinner
Business Analyst
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Morgan’s Answer
Hi Andrew,
I can't yet speak to the difficulty of law school or practicing law, but I can provide insight on the law school application process. My process started two years before I applied. The summer before I started my junior year in college, I participated in the LSAC PLUS program (highly recommend--great experience and LSAT and CAS waivers) and took mock law classes for the summer. That summer, I also started studying for and took the LSAT for the first time. In total, I took the LSAT twice.
The following year spring (the March before I applied), I began preparing my personal statements and gathering my letters of recommendation. I suggest asking for your letters of recommendation well in advance (at least the summer before you plan to apply). After months of revising my statements, I began applying in October and submitted my last application Thanksgiving morning. I started hearing back from schools early November.
In short, it's a challenging but rewarding process, and I know you can do it! I'll include some helpful steps below:
1. Use undergrad to get your grades as good as possible! In the event your LSAT score isn't as high as you had hoped, you will have your grades to fall back on.
2. Identify your learning style and apply that to your LSAT studying. If you are good at independent learning, a self-paced book may be good for you. If not, consider a class or a tutor. Give yourself no less than 2 months to study and give yourself enough time to take the exam again if need be. There are several programs that will offer you a class or tutoring for free!
3. Apply for scholarships and waivers for everything (LSAT, CAS report, and individual schools). Applying to school can be an expensive process, but it becomes significantly more affordable if you seek outside resources. The ABA has a running list of scholarships for current and prospective law students. Many law firms offer scholarships as well.
I can't yet speak to the difficulty of law school or practicing law, but I can provide insight on the law school application process. My process started two years before I applied. The summer before I started my junior year in college, I participated in the LSAC PLUS program (highly recommend--great experience and LSAT and CAS waivers) and took mock law classes for the summer. That summer, I also started studying for and took the LSAT for the first time. In total, I took the LSAT twice.
The following year spring (the March before I applied), I began preparing my personal statements and gathering my letters of recommendation. I suggest asking for your letters of recommendation well in advance (at least the summer before you plan to apply). After months of revising my statements, I began applying in October and submitted my last application Thanksgiving morning. I started hearing back from schools early November.
In short, it's a challenging but rewarding process, and I know you can do it! I'll include some helpful steps below:
Morgan recommends the following next steps:
John Yu
Management consulting
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
John’s Answer
Hey Andrew, will try to keep answers as short and as digestible as possible (lawyers tend to ramble haha):
1). How much work are you getting in law school?
In your first year, it is usually a bit tougher (because your grades in your first year largely determine where you end up interning and going to after graduation from law school, so they matter a bit more), though with a good exam prep strategy and study schedule you should be able to get 8+ hours of sleep/day with no worries. In your second and third years, it is much more relaxed.
2). How many years does it take?
Usually 3 years, though there are programs out there that do this in a more compressed timeframe, or spread it out over a longer timeframe (particularly with dual degree programs, like a JD-MBA).
3). How hard is it being a lawyer?
In terms of hours, it can be rough, and this can be true for both private and public sector work. I only have experience with the private sector (I was formerly in BigLaw, which essentially means I worked in a law firm with 250+ attorneys), and during rough stretches it can be 80+ hours/week (this can include weekends). The tricky part, however, usually isn't the hours, it is usually the nature of the work itself (it can be a bit boring at the start, though it does get more interesting the more senior you get).
If I were you, here's what I would be thinking about:
A). Is what you are good at something that will be valued in a legal career? Generally speaking, good reading/writing skills and attention to detail are skills that tend to be valued a bit more than other skillsets (e.g., quant skills).
B). Is there a particular area of law that you would be interested in? Broadly speaking, private sector work tends to pay better (and most law students tend to gravitate towards that to pay off loans etc.), and even within private sector work, there are many differences in what you are doing (use this link to see if anything interests you; it's a good summary of what folks do in the private sector: https://law.yale.edu/sites/default/files/area/department/cdo/document/yale_law_school_law_firm_practice_summary_042017.pdf)
C). If your answers to A). and B). are positive, then is there a significant opportunity cost that you will be incurring if you decide to go down this path? Understand that there are alternatives out there, and 3 years in law school can be a long time (and can be a financial strain too, depending on your circumstances).
1). How much work are you getting in law school?
In your first year, it is usually a bit tougher (because your grades in your first year largely determine where you end up interning and going to after graduation from law school, so they matter a bit more), though with a good exam prep strategy and study schedule you should be able to get 8+ hours of sleep/day with no worries. In your second and third years, it is much more relaxed.
2). How many years does it take?
Usually 3 years, though there are programs out there that do this in a more compressed timeframe, or spread it out over a longer timeframe (particularly with dual degree programs, like a JD-MBA).
3). How hard is it being a lawyer?
In terms of hours, it can be rough, and this can be true for both private and public sector work. I only have experience with the private sector (I was formerly in BigLaw, which essentially means I worked in a law firm with 250+ attorneys), and during rough stretches it can be 80+ hours/week (this can include weekends). The tricky part, however, usually isn't the hours, it is usually the nature of the work itself (it can be a bit boring at the start, though it does get more interesting the more senior you get).
If I were you, here's what I would be thinking about:
A). Is what you are good at something that will be valued in a legal career? Generally speaking, good reading/writing skills and attention to detail are skills that tend to be valued a bit more than other skillsets (e.g., quant skills).
B). Is there a particular area of law that you would be interested in? Broadly speaking, private sector work tends to pay better (and most law students tend to gravitate towards that to pay off loans etc.), and even within private sector work, there are many differences in what you are doing (use this link to see if anything interests you; it's a good summary of what folks do in the private sector: https://law.yale.edu/sites/default/files/area/department/cdo/document/yale_law_school_law_firm_practice_summary_042017.pdf)
C). If your answers to A). and B). are positive, then is there a significant opportunity cost that you will be incurring if you decide to go down this path? Understand that there are alternatives out there, and 3 years in law school can be a long time (and can be a financial strain too, depending on your circumstances).