Being a lawyer is seen as one of the most prestigious careers that you can undertake, largely due to its high earning potential and the length of time it takes to qualify as a licensed lawyer.
Lawyers are experts in the law, and they choose to specialize in a niche area, so they can provide the best service to their clients and become extremely knowledgeable in their chosen area.
They help a variety of clients with legal issues by gathering the relevant details and evidence to build a strong case. They may also advise clients regarding the best actions to take following a claim or to avoid a claim.
A lawyer may also work with the government to create new environmental policies and regulations or with business owners to help them abide by local and national employment laws.
As interesting as being a lawyer sounds and as prestigious as the title is, there are drawbacks to choosing this career. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of being a lawyer to help you decide whether it’s the right career path for you.
Pros of Becoming a Lawyer
Regardless of the type of lawyer you are, you can enjoy a number of benefits and perks working in the field, including the following.
→ Versatile career
Law is arguably the most versatile field, with hundreds of specialties and areas of work. You can choose to work in personal injuries, family law, employment law, estate planning, and more, so you can find the most suitable specialty for your passions and expertise.
You can work in a variety of locations too. You might wish to work in a reputable law firm like Lamber Goodnow in Tucson or start your own independent private practice. You can also work with the government, privately owned businesses, or non-profit organizations.
→ The option to be self-employed
If the idea of being your own boss appeals to you, law is a great career choice. As a qualified lawyer, you can choose to start your own private law practice and work as a solo practitioner.
Working independently gives you a high level of flexibility and control over your schedule. You’ll find it easier to balance your professional and personal lives, and this will lead to a higher quality of life.
→ High earning potential
It’s no secret that law is one of the best-paying careers. Once you’ve passed your bar exams and obtained your license to practice, you can enjoy an average salary of around 95,000 USD a year.
The starting salary is around 45,000 USD, and the highest-earning lawyers receive an impressive annual salary of over 200,00 USD.
Cons of Being a Lawyer
Every career has its drawbacks, and it’s important to be aware of the cons of being a lawyer before you choose to enter the field. Here are some of the biggest drawbacks.
→ High-stress job
There’s no denying that being a lawyer comes with high stress. With so much responsibility placed on your shoulders with every case that you take on, it’s easy to get overwhelmed if you’re not prepared.
You can also work on very difficult and sensitive cases that could affect your mental health. It’s important to build a strong metaphorical outer shell to deal with tough cases and prevent them from negatively impacting your emotions and feelings.
→ Long work hours
Even if you’re a solo practitioner with a relatively flexible schedule, you’ll still end up working longer-than-average hours as a lawyer. When you’re dealing with complex cases, you might need to continue working until the late evenings to ensure you can organize everything that your client needs.
On average, a lawyer works around 40 hours a week, but some work weeks may reach up to 60 hours if you’re working on particularly complex cases. You’ll need great stamina and motivation to keep up with your busy schedule!
→ Difficult clients
You may eventually get to the stage where you can be picky with the clients you work with and the cases you accept. However, as a new lawyer, you might need to take on cases that you don’t particularly enjoy and work with clients who are fussy and difficult.
Despite clients being difficult, you have to maintain a high level of professionalism and work with them as best you can. This may be much easier said than done, and your patience may be tested’, but it’s all part of the job.
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