Lawyers are known for having a long and complicated path to their careers. It is not uncommon for someone to spend up to eight years in law school before entering the workforce, but this also means that it can be challenging at times to decide if you want to become a lawyer or not. This blog post will provide five things that every aspiring lawyer should know before making this decision.
1. You Will Learn to Read People
In law school, you will study case upon case about different crimes, different rules and regulations, and even how a judge may interpret a certain situation. This can be a highly complex process as a tiny mistake could lead to a mistrial. To prepare for this career path, you have to learn how to read people and gain insight into what they are going through to know their side of the story.
If someone is lying or not being honest with you as an attorney, it could weaken your argument in the long run if the jury finds out that they were hiding something from their lawyer. When you consider joining a law school, be sure to check their requirements. For example, if you are going to law school in Florida you might want to check the Florida CLE requirements as they offer various bundles and courses to help lawyers stay compliant.
2. You Are Going to Have to Deal with Stress
There is no doubt that being an attorney will be an extremely stressful career. As a lawyer, you will have to meet deadlines, work with people from all backgrounds and social classes, and balance your personal life with this demanding career path. On top of that, the stress levels can be even higher for lawyers who specialize in certain fields such as medical malpractice law or tax law.
Another source of stress while working as a lawyer is losing a case. It is essential to understand that you will not always win your cases. Although attorneys work very hard on getting their clients justice, they also need to know when to throw in the towel.
In some cases, the other side may have more evidence or a better argument, and it would be foolish to continue fighting in court. This is not to say that you are giving up on your client or that you are admitting defeat, but rather that you are being realistic about the situation and choosing the best possible option for them.
This is especially if you do not have a passion for it. To be successful as a lawyer, you need to spend countless hours studying and preparing yourself for every possible situation that could arise in your case. You will also need to learn to speak in front of large juries, requiring extensive public speaking training. This process can lead some students down a difficult road if they don’t have a true passion.
4. The Workplace Can Be Racist and Sexist
Although there has been some progress in this area, there can still be pushback when certain issues arise. For example, if you are a female attorney and want to fight for more maternity leave or breastfeed your child at work, it would not be surprising that you could receive backlash from the company’s CEO or other male employees. There is a long way to go before we see equality in the workplace, as we do in our nation’s courtrooms.
5. The Pay Can Be Variable
One of the downsides of being a lawyer is that the pay can be very variable. Some lawyers may make six-figure salaries right out of law school, while others may only make a few thousand dollars per year. This depends on the type of law you practice, where you live, and how much experience you have.
Conclusion
The legal profession has helped create communities, upheld justice, and governs the nation. It is essential to learn as much about this career path to prepare for the challenges ahead fully.
Passion is everything when it comes to becoming a lawyer. These are just five things that every aspiring lawyer should know before they decide to become one. If, after reading this, you still feel like law school is the right choice for you, then, by all means, go for it.
