Law School Choice? (Where should I go?)

Do yourself a HUFE favor and don't even go. Most lawyers hate their work. I'm dead serious here. SERIOUSLY consider finding something else to do. There are much better ways to spend the rest of your life than in this line of work.

I hear all the time, "Would you do it again if you had it to do over?" My reply, "HELL FUCKING NO!"

you hear that in any line of work.

Do you think that is because of the field of law that you chose? I am with the original poster in that I would like to study human rights law, and it seems like that would be a very emotionally rewarding career. I currently work in the non-profit world and most attorneys in this area seem to really enjoy their work.

One random question that I happened to think about during my run this morning though: If you are a criminal defense lawyer and you decide half way through your "investigation" that your client is guilty... what can you do?

I'm not considering criminal law, but that question just came into my head this morning!

Is the homework load so high from a lot of reading ? What type of work do you have to do in your first year of law school? I'm considering applying. I've had experience doing case briefs etc. and they're not that bad. What exactly is time consuming?

chuck d wrote:

you hear that in any line of work.

Go check the list of most unsatisfied workers and see where the field of law ranks.

Go check to see what the most stressful line of work is and see where the field of law ranks.

Go see the line of work with the most suicides and see where the field of law ranks.

BJP wrote:

Do you think that is because of the field of law that you chose? I am with the original poster in that I would like to study human rights law, and it seems like that would be a very emotionally rewarding career. I currently work in the non-profit world and most attorneys in this area seem to really enjoy their work.

One random question that I happened to think about during my run this morning though: If you are a criminal defense lawyer and you decide half way through your "investigation" that your client is guilty... what can you do?

I'm not considering criminal law, but that question just came into my head this morning!

First of all, no, I've practiced in all areas of law. It's all the same. Ask most lawyers, they hate the whole practice.

Second question: Hell, they're all guilty. But, as you'll soon learn, it's not your job to prove them not guilty; it's the prosecution to prove they're guilty. If that bothers you and you can't denfend a "guilty" person, then you're going to be very disatisfied with law because you're going to dislike most of the people you represent and the issues you represent. Trust me, you need to get out while you can.

Seems like a lot of lawyers hate their jobs b/c they opt for the section of law that pays the most, not the one they like the best...of course this isn't all lawyers. Key is to pick what part of law you really truly like and the money will follow eventually.

What exactly is "human rights law?" Does that mean you threaten murderous dictators with lawsuits? DO you craft meaningless resolutions for the UN? Explain?

The mere enunciation of such an abusrdity as this last renders refutuation superfluous.

tommylongjohn wrote:

Seems like a lot of lawyers hate their jobs b/c they opt for the section of law that pays the most, not the one they like the best...of course this isn't all lawyers. Key is to pick what part of law you really truly like and the money will follow eventually.

I was just getting ready to post that very thing.

The ones who enjoy practicing law are the money grubbing ones whose only goal is to make a buck.

What I meant about the "if defending the guilty makes you uneasy" comment wasn't limited to criminals. What I meant was that if taking on cases you don't believe in or having clients you don't like is unpleasant to you, then you're going to spend about 1% of your time practicing law and the other 99% flipping burgers to pay your student loans. You're either going to be in a firm and take the cases they tell you to take (and firms are ALL ABOOUT making money) or you'll be in your own practice taking any case you can get so you won't starve to death.

Again, I implore you. Please, please seriously reconsider what you're doing.

True story: The summer between her junior and senior years in hs, a girl worked in our office. Her goal was to go to law school. After working with us and seeing what it's really like, she gave up the idea and went to dental school instead. I believe all of those who are considering law school should be required to work in a law office first for a summer. It would drastically cut down on the lawyers we put out.

If you choose to go to law school and you know, like I did, that it isn't for you while you're still there, get out and go do something else. Don't force yourself in to it because you'll only hate it more and more with each passing day and kick yourself in the ass for not getting out while you could.

Again, I'm just curious... but with your law degree is it not possible for you even NOW to pursue a different line of work? The Executive Director of the non-profit that I work for is a lawyer (by the way, he loved his time as a lawyer). It seems like a law degree would open certain doors other than those that are directly related to law? Of course, if you are pursuing the money then working as Executive Director of a non-profit wouldn't appeal to you either. I think it is a bit rash to say that you have to be chasing money to enjoy life as a lawyer though. I've had some great advice from lawyers on this web page and they have never tried to deter me from pursuing less-profitable areas of law. It also seems that the percentage of "very happy" non-profit/public interest/human rights lawyers is very high (relative to other professions).

I'm interested in criminal defense. Is it as hard as you say to make money? Just wondering, I haven't looked into it very much yet.

Most crminals don't have money. You're going to be a cout appointed attorney making court appointed rates. No one gets rich on court appointed cases. Most use it as a way to pay their overhead then take the other cases to try to make some money for themselfes. They also use it hoping to get a media case so they can get their name out there and then bring in the other cases.

If you're in a large city with some white color crime, then your chances are a little better. But, you're going to need a stream of white color clients, year in, year out. Doesn't sound too promising, does it?

In a large city is it possible to work in a private firm as criminal defense, thus making more $? Sorry, I'm pretty ignorant about this. I want to practice a type of law that I'd be passionate about but also pay off those loans and making a nice living.

Thanks for the advice... I'm not getting into law in order to go into another line of work though. I'm 26 now, and I have been passionate about getting into human rights since I was starting university.

I'm sorry that you are so dissatisfied with your work, but I hope you know that you are an integral part of a great (although flawed, I am sure) legal system.

I would say "good luck" for your hearing, but given the circumstances I'll say "good luck" to the legal system in reaching the best decision possible.