Job Responsibilities
Researching and analyzing legal issues (70%), drafting litigation-
related documents (30%).
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Job Requirements
A law degree is required, and if you want to go to a good law
school, you need excellent grades and an excellent LSAT score.
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Uppers
Litigation is sometimes enjoyable. When the other side makes an argument that
you are able to rip to pieces, it is great fun. You're also constantly learning
new things as an attorney. At the end of the day, having a satisfied client is
the ultimate reward.
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Downers
The job is stressful. There's usually a lot of money on the
line, and one mistake can be very costly. Sometimes, you have to
work some insanely long hours. On the other hand, you might be
receiving no work at all. This "rollercoaster" aspect of the job
is terrible.
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Lifestyle
Generally, LONG hours in the office. If you are a workaholic by nature, you may
enjoy being an attorney. However, if you like to enjoy life outside of work, you
may want to consider another career path.
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Compensation
$85,000.00 per year, with full medical and dental benefits.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Try to get a job in a law firm before going to law school, then
keep your eyes open for a year or two. The law schools aren't
going away, as they are big profit centers for every university.
If you are still highly-motivated after a year or two of working
in a firm, then go for it. However, I must warn you, even a year
of seeing attorneys spending their lives in the office isn't the
same as doing it yourself. You won't know their agony until
you've experienced it firsthand, and you won't understand the
stress of being an attorney until you become one. If high stress
and long hours sounds unattractive, then find another grad school
program, and feel confident about your decision. Also, if you
want to become an attorney simply to please your parents or
anyone else, you need to visit a therapist rather than go to law
school.
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