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Thinking of a Career in Law? 5 Myths
Although the American Bar Association has found that more than half of attorneys are dissatisfied with their jobs, lawyers have often been some of the most coveted and highly respected careers. So why is there such a disconnect between the actual job and what prospective career seekers expect?
Educating yourself regarding the type of career you are truly seeking rather than mere monetary benefits accompanying is vital to discovering whether practicing law is right for you. Revealing the true day to day activities, tasks and roles that an attorney accepts in their career is important to understanding what the career entails. Such a career can encompass a variety of specialties and pinpointed focuses that can be better suited for you than other fields within the position.
Choosing the career of attorney for the wrong reasons can result in lack of satisfaction as your position and experience progress. Spending the time to truly understand your motivation for embarking on such a time and financial consuming career journey can uncover whether being a lawyer will provide you with a satisfying career you are happy with through its duration. Discovering the myths in contrast with the truth about being an attorney can be a good first step at revealing your true motivations and desires. Below are some frequently assumed myths regarding attorneys:
Becoming an Attorney Always Means You Will Be Successful
In all honesty, most lawyers who are compensated in the way you may envision are employed by mega-firms who employ only a small percent of actual attorneys. In fact, according to the American Bar Association, only a mere one percent of practicing attorneys are actually employed by the large mega-firms. Selective procedures regarding hiring and top educations often characterize the selection process of top attorneys within top law firms. On the other hand, smaller law firms, with less than 50 employees, are the more realistic choice for more than 83 percent of lawyers, according to the American Bar Association.
Though a large law firm may be glamorized within the media, you may not find as much satisfaction once enduring the day to day grind that accompanies such a busy and big company. When the hours worked are compared with salaries, larger firm compensation may not appeal to you as it did before uncovering the truth. Despite having a much lower compensation environment, public attorneys have been shown to be some of the most satisfied when it comes to their careers, highlighting the importance of career environment and workload in contrast with pure monetary benefits.
Social Change and Injustice
Though portrayal of attorneys may provide the view of someone who has the power to change communities and social injustice the truth of the matter is, most attorneys simply represent the interests of their clients. Often, compromise is more sought after than change and improvement of the world around you. While attorneys can be one agent in efforts for change, they are not the powerful end all and be all that we may assume.
In addition, policies, laws and the judicial process that must be adhered to can prevent some of the change that you may strive toward. When polled, most attorneys pointed out that the judicial system and players within it can become increasingly political, creating barriers for true change and progression.
Great Argument Skills Make a Great Lawyer
Persuasion is a much more powerful tool that you will have to learn in comparison to simple arguing. A well prepared attorney with a strong case will spend large amounts of time researching in order to back their arguments. Simply engaging in argument without the knowledge and research to back it up does not make a successful attorney. Writing, communication, research and skills in understanding the law are more vital aspects of the career.
Attorneys Live Glamorous and Thrilling Lives
Despite the glamorized appearance of attorneys on television and within the media, the reality of the career can be blander. Only one percent of civil cases actually proceed to trial, making the job a lot of work without the excitement that plays out in the courtroom. Reviewing, drafting, taking depositions and studying pleas often consume time rather than standing among jury members and judges making glamorous and thrilling arguments. The studying and attention to small details, completing tedious, time consuming work characterizes the exhausting position, displaying the differences between the real career and that which is shown in the media.
Being an Attorney Will Constantly Challenge Your Intellect
While the position of being an attorney definitely stimulates the mind, it may not always challenge the intellect in the way we assume. Instead, much of the work completed can be repetitive and humdrum. Additionally, the time of an attorney must be constantly tracked for billing purposes.
Greg Tsioros is a defense attorney in Houston; that represents clients charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses. To visit his website and learn more about his areas of practice, go to http://www.txcrimdefense.com.
