Why do you want to go to law school? Forum

[Hammystring]

This isn't the first of its kind but I'm hoping it will go in a different direction.

Everyone seems to have a good reason NOT to go to law school (or at least, good reasons for the person they're posting under to not go to law school).

From the debt to the big law hours to the low chance one will even get big law to the low pay for PI to the low chance at a good PI to the absolute misery that is supposed to be law school, everyone is pretty good at talking others OUT of going to law school. Want to help people? Don't go to law school. Want to make a lot of money? Don't go to law school. It goes on and on and on.

So what brings you here to TLS? Why did you study for the LSAT? Why do you want to go to law school?

[PDaddy]

You have answered your own question OP. Law school is only for those people who, despite all of the potential negatives you cite, know in their hearts that being a lawyer is for them...that they have a passion for the law that only they can comprehend.

It's for those people who - despite knowing all that you mentioned - go to law school with their eyes open and still feel that the pain and suffering will all be worth it, not because of money (many lawyers are top-2%ers but are on the far low end) or prestige, but because they crave the law. Do what you have a passion for...whatever truly makes you happy, and you'll never work another day in your life.

[ManoftheHour]

Because other than becoming a famous musician or professional athlete, there's nothing else I'd rather be doing. Even if it means taking another year off for the next cycle. Again.

[guano]

Because I wanted to be a lawyer

[star fox]

It's a guaranteed 6 figure job. BigLaw is the easiest and least stressful out of all prestigious professions. It doesn't even matter where you go to Law School because a J.D. = lawyer = money.

[Hammystring]

You have answered your own question OP. Law school is only for those people who, despite all of the potential negatives you cite, know in their hearts that being a lawyer is for them...that they have a passion for the law that only they can comprehend.

It's for those people who - despite knowing all that you mentioned - go to law school with their eyes open and still feel that the pain and suffering will all be worth it, not because of money (many lawyers are top-2%ers but are on the far low end) or prestige, but because they crave the law. Do what you have a passion for...whatever truly makes you happy, and you'll never work another day in your life.

I appreciate this answer but how can anyone be so sure? Despite being K-JD, I've been working the past 8 years (the past 4 years, full-time) in a number of different law-related positions (private+public, paralegal+administrative, etc) (ALSO READ: By no means does this mean I'm an expert on the working world...just to get that out of the way). I can certainly say that I'd like to be a lawyer based off what I've seen...but by no means does this mean I have some type of BURNING DESIRE. It just seems like the next logical step towards being able to do what I [think] I'll enjoy doing. I read this forum and think, "is that enough?"

Enough about me...more about YOU ALL! Why do you want to go to law school?

(Again, appreciate your thoughtfulness, PDaddy)

[Aawaldrop]

It's a guaranteed 6 figure job. BigLaw is the easiest and least stressful out of all prestigious professions. It doesn't even matter where you go to Law School because a J.D. = lawyer = money.

120

[star fox]

It's a guaranteed 6 figure job. BigLaw is the easiest and least stressful out of all prestigious professions. It doesn't even matter where you go to Law School because a J.D. = lawyer = money.

120

Damn.

[guano]

120

Cooley's LSAT floor?

[Swimp]

Because a law degree is useful in so many facets of the business world. the skills you learn and the contacts you make will serve you well no matter what kind of business you go into.

[jeffgarlin]

Because a law degree is useful in so many facets of the business world. the skills you learn and the contacts you make will serve you well no matter what kind of business you go into.

lolz

[ManOfTheMinute]

I like money and bitches, and bitches with money

[Beercules]

I'm a big fan of money. I like it, I use it, I have a little. I keep it in a jar on top of my refrigerator. I'd like to put more in that jar. That's where being a lawyer comes in.

[bchirco]

In all honesty, after working in a law firm for many years, being a creative driver of solutions for clients in the field of law resonates with me. I am aware of the shitty job prospects, soul-crushing debt, and the horrible experience that people endure should they actually achieve big law; but I don't care. I want to practice law and I would do it for $40k a year because I think I would look forward going into work each day. Fuck these gap jobs, they're for people who don't want to roll the dice on their dreams! And brother, it is a dice roll no matter what school you go to. If each potential law student understood, acknowledged, and confronted that fact I think 90% would flee.

Anyway, that's just my reasoning.

[banjo]

After reflecting on my strengths, interests, and career goals, I was torn between academia and law school. I tried being a graduate student and didn't like it. I tried being a paralegal and liked it.

[Rahviveh]

Self hate

[sinfiery]

Cuz I gots to protect the internets from abysmal policy changes for future generations

[Volake]

Because the government wouldn't subsidize loans for me to take more reasonable wagers in Las Vegas.

[DoubleChecks]

You have answered your own question OP. Law school is only for those people who, despite all of the potential negatives you cite, know in their hearts that being a lawyer is for them...that they have a passion for the law that only they can comprehend.

It's for those people who - despite knowing all that you mentioned - go to law school with their eyes open and still feel that the pain and suffering will all be worth it, not because of money (many lawyers are top-2%ers but are on the far low end) or prestige, but because they crave the law. Do what you have a passion for...whatever truly makes you happy, and you'll never work another day in your life.

^was this whole post written ironically or in a serious tone? I honestly can't tell.

But really? Law school is only for those people who know in their heart of hearts that being a lawyer is for them as they have a passion for the law? Dang, guess I'm out of luck. I'm becoming a lawyer because it provides a certain lifestyle I would like for my family and is a profession that I find interesting. That's pretty much it. It is a job to me -- a job to support my family that, while not my passion, is something I could see myself wanting to do 10, 20 yrs down the road...and find sufficiently fulfilling. But by no means do I crave the law lol.

[sublime]

..

[DoubleChecks]

Because a law degree is useful in so many facets of the business world. the skills you learn and the contacts you make will serve you well no matter what kind of business you go into.

I've been away from TLS for too long. I honestly can't tell who is being serious anymore and who is simply speaking sarcastically/ironically...

[Davidbentley]

Because a law degree is useful in so many facets of the business world. the skills you learn and the contacts you make will serve you well no matter what kind of business you go into.

I've been away from TLS for too long. I honestly can't tell who is being serious anymore and who is simply speaking sarcastically/ironically...

Welcome back, friend.

I'd like to be a lawyer, I don't know why. I'm fairly unstable.

[holmesboy]

I'm a big fan of money. I like it, I use it, I have a little. I keep it in a jar on top of my refrigerator. I'd like to put more in that jar. That's where being a lawyer comes in.

Well played, sir. Well played.

[PDaddy]

It's a guarantee of 6 figure job NOTHING GUARANTEED except for RISK. BigLaw is the easiest MOST DIFFICULT and least MOST stressful out of all prestigious professions. It doesn't even matter where you go to Law School because a J.D. = lawyer UNCERTAINTY = money POTENTIAL MISERY.

In its original form X = 120

In its original form X < 120/180 actually...

[PDaddy]

I'm a big fan of money. I like it, I use it, I have a little. I keep it in a jar on top of my refrigerator. I'd like to put more in that jar. That's where being a lawyer comes in.

Well played, sir. Well played.

Why not go into hedge funds management or investment banking? Being a lawyer doesn't guarantee wealth at all. A top lawyer's salary at equity partner is between $400k and $1M per year. An investment banker can make 10 times that range in a year.