Job Responsibilities
Associate in a four hundred lawyer law firm. Represent medium to
large businesses in civil litigation. Defend and take
depositions, make court appearances for hearings, write briefs
(arguments of law and fact), and on occasion, try cases. Conduct
numerous phone and in-person conferences with clients, opposing
counsel, team members, and courts. Spend a substantial amount of
time recruiting new lawyers.
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Job Requirements
Entry into the field requires completion of a four-year degree,
followed by taking the LSAT and register with LSDAC, the body
that collects virtually all information for ABA-accredited law
schools. The application process, including testing, begins from
7-15 months before the start date of the first class. The
tradional route to becoming a lawyer involves three academic
years, followed by taking the bar in July following graduation.
The first year of law school is an intense experience, which many
see as a form of indoctrination if not initiation. The second
and third years are spent broadening legal experiences and
refining whatever it means to think like a lawyer. The workload
is generally heavy throughout law school and entry into the best
(smallest) classes can be highly competitive. Grading in most
law schools is based upon end-of-semester exams that are taken
anonymously. Essay tests predominate, though many professors
have started relying more and more on objective methods, such as
multiple choice. Career paths are highly diverse. It's rare for
example that the worlds of criminal and civil litigation meet,
and being a government lawyer is very different than practicing
in a private firm. There are plenty of books, both nonfiction
and fiction to help gain an appreciation for the various types of
law. Also, anyone contemplating law school should read Scott
Turow's "One L."
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Uppers
Freedom to make my own schedule is the best part of the job. The work is also
stimulating, as well as the vast majority of the people I come into contact with
each day.
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Downers
Big egos abound. You have to able and willing to deal with
people who are talented and know it. Many times these people
come to the table with a Machiavellian spirt and an amoral if not
immoral outlook on life. Sound interesting? Big business law
may be for you.
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Lifestyle
The lifestyle is good but not lavish at most levels. I travel approximately
once or twice a month, usually 2 or 3 days at a time. Life on the road can be
good, especially if not traveling alone.
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Compensation
Base salary for approximately 4-6 years of experience in the
largest firms in Cleveland, Ohio, ranges from $120,000-$160,000.
Bonuses run approximately 5-10% of salary. Benefits include
medical, dental, 401(k) retirement, life and disability
insurance. I spend several thousand dollars annually on
reimburseable food and drink.
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Advice to Jobseekers
The outlook for the profession is good as always. Like many
service-related industries, prospects ride the economy. Read
about and talk to lawyers before taking the plunge. Because it's
an extremely diverse profession, only a small percentage of
people cannot find some comfortable niche for themselves in the
law. The trick is to find that niche.
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