Lillian
I want to know is studying law worth it?
All my life my family has told me I’d be a good lawyer but after some research it seems that it’s a lot of studying and school and I want to know is the career worth the work. #law
4 answers
Bridget Asplund
Bridget’s Answer
I think people tend to hear that they would be a good lawyer if they enjoy reading and writing and have solid debate skills. That is certainly part of what led me to my career in litigation at a large, national firm. I enjoyed law school, and the academic pursuit of law, greatly. Unfortunately, that did not mean that I enjoyed practicing.
I would recommend that anyone thinking about pursuing a career in law attempt to work in a law firm or other legal setting prior to going to law school - as an intern, paralegal, legal secretary, etc. It provides a look into the actual practice of law that you do not gain through educational means. I would also recommend building a network of legal professionals and picking their brain about the different routes and legal specialties - there are kinds of law that many individuals do not even know exist.
Best of luck!
Bridget
Adam A
Adam’s Answer
That said, the legal profession is broader than some people realize. There are many, many ways to "be a lawyer" that are far removed from courtrooms. In addition, legal training and skill sets can be beneficial in work well outside of formal "legal work"--and the credentials can be viewed as valuable even by those not hiring for legal roles.
Jean Noel Sanchez
Jean Noel’s Answer
Whether the grueling path (3 years of law school, high tuition, and intense academic pressure) pays off depends on what "worth it" means to you financially, daily, and personally.
The Financial Reality: The "Bimodal" Salary Distribution
A common myth is that every law graduate makes six figures immediately. In reality, legal salaries follow a bimodal distribution curve:
High Count
▲ ┌───┐ ┌───┐
│ │ │ │ │
│ │ │ │ │
│ │ │ │ │
│ ┌───┴───┴───┐ ┌───┴───┴───┐
│ │ $60k-$80k │ │ $225k+ │
│ │ (Public │ │ (BigLaw) │
│ │ Interest/ │ │ │
│ │ Small Firm) │ │
└───┴───────────┴───────────────────────┴───────────┴─────► Salary
• Cluster 1 (~$60,000 – $85,000): Government, public defense, non-profits, and small local firms.
• Cluster 2 ($225,000+ starting): Large corporate law firms ("BigLaw"). These jobs are almost exclusively reserved for top graduates at top-ranked law schools (usually T14) or the top 5–10% of mid-tier schools.
• Very few jobs exist in the middle ($100k–$150k range) for fresh graduates.
Given that the average US law graduate leaves school with $100,000 to $160,000+ in student debt, starting at $65,000 can make debt repayment tight for years unless you qualify for loan forgiveness programs (e.g., PSLF for public interest).
Daily Life: What Lawyers Actually Do
Law school teaches you how to think like a lawyer, but it rarely teaches you what daily practice feels like.
• Document Heavy: Most lawyers spend 80% to 90% of their time reading, drafting memos, writing briefs, and analyzing contracts—not standing in a courtroom dramatically presenting evidence.
• Billable Hours: In firm environments, your time is tracked in 6-minute increments (0.1 hours). To bill 2,000 hours in a year, you often need to work 2,400+ physical hours to account for admin time, meetings, and breaks.
• High Stress: You are managing client crises, tight court deadlines, and adversarial opposing counsel.
When Law IS Worth It
Studying law is usually worth the investment if:
1. You get into a top-tier law school (T14) or receive a significant scholarship: Minimizing debt dramatically improves your life flexibility post-graduation.
2. You genuinely enjoy deep reading, writing, and analytical problem-solving: If you love working through dense legal texts and writing precise arguments, the work itself can be deeply intellectually satisfying.
3. You have a clear non-financial mission: If you want to pursue public interest, environmental policy, criminal defense, or human rights work—and accept the income ceiling—the career provides a powerful platform for impact.
When Law IS NOT Worth It
It is rarely worth it if:
1. You are doing it primarily because family/friends said you'd be good at it: External validation fades quickly during 1L exams and bar prep.
2. You are going deep into debt ($150k+) at an unranked or low-ranked school: Low-tier schools often have lower bar passage rates and limited employment pipelines into high-paying jobs.
3. You dislike solitary reading and precise paperwork: If reading and writing for 8 to 10 hours a day sounds exhausting, daily practice will feel like a grind.
Best Next Steps Before Deciding
• Shadow or interview 3–5 lawyers: Speak to a public defender, a corporate attorney, and a small-firm lawyer. Ask them what their average Tuesday looks like.
• Work as a paralegal or legal assistant first: Take 1–2 years after undergrad to work inside a law firm. It is the single best way to see the day-to-day reality without taking on law school debt.
• Calculate your realistic ROI: Take the LSAT seriously. Your score determines both your school tier and scholarship money, which completely dictates your financial math.
Kim Igleheart
Kim’s Answer
Disclaimer: I am not now, and never have been, a lawyer. However, I have studied Paralegal courses, been a litigant, and done some freelance work for some lawyers. And, I do career counseling. So, to answer your question. . .
If YOU do not strongly want to be a lawyer, then don't do it. The schooling is insanely hard, and expensive. If you don't hear it calling you, it will be difficult to stay motivated enough to apply yourself to your studies. Additionally, an awful lot of law school grads have trouble finding jobs. It's a supply and demand thing.
However, if you have the gift of being able to see all sides of an issue, to think quickly on your feet, and understand complex concepts, then, law could be for you! There are so many different areas of law, there really is something for everyone: Sports Law, Immigration Law, Criminal Law (defense or prosecution!), etc.
What do you mean by, "is it worth it?" Beyond law school, law can be very stressful. Any little mistake could be detrimental to your client. Some specialties are more stressful than others. Of course, the routine sort of stuff may not pay as much as the more stressful stuff. Speaking of money: are you concerned about the cost of law school?
If you are interested in law, "but" worried about the cost of school and the possibility of not landing a job, perhaps look at the Paralegal Profession. Depending on the attorney you work for, the type of work you do will vary significantly. You can draft legal documents, do research, meet with clients, etc. The supervising attorney is responsible for all your work. He or she ultimately decides what gets filed, what needs revision, etc. It is something to think about! There are 2 yr, 4 yr, and certificate programs. Try to find one that is approved by the American Bar Assn., as they are more highly respected in the legal community.
Best of luck!
Kim