Beyond the allures of courtroom dramas and hefty paychecks, the legal profession is a pillar of society. It shapes the course of justice and safeguards individual rights.

As an aspiring attorney, you’re hoping to excel in your field. But before embarking on that journey, pause and reflect on the timeless question: Why become a lawyer?

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In this article, we’ll explore the motivations, challenges and rewards of legal practice management. We’ll also determine why being a lawyer isn’t just a career choice but a journey of purpose and possibilities.

Article Roadmap

• Personal Motivations
  • Passion for Justice and Advocacy
  • Financial Stability
  • Intellectual Stimulation
  • Positive Impact on Society
• Professional Development and Opportunities
  • Diverse Career Paths
  • Global Reach and Cross-Cultural Experiences
  • Flexible Schedules
  • Continuous Learning and Growth
• Challenges and Considerations
• The Evolving Legal Landscape
• Next Steps

Did you know that the employment of lawyers is projected to grow faster than the average of all other occupations? It can average 39,100 openings per year.

This growth is a major opportunity for aspiring attorneys to step into the legal arena. As you prepare to pursue this profession, it’s important to remember the personal motivations and opportunities of a legal career.

Personal Motivations

Passion for Justice and Advocacy

Throughout history, individuals driven by a sense of justice and a passion for helping others have shaped our civilizations. Now, more than ever, the world needs lawyers with unwavering integrity willing to become beacons of hope in our society.

Loretta Kilday, Esq., Senior Attorney at Debt Consolidation Care, aptly captures the essence of legal advocacy:

At its core, law is about justice, fairness, and the resolution of conflicts. It offers a unique chance to defend the defenseless, to fight for truth, and to improve equity within society.”

As a lawyer, you can guide, protect and give voice to the voiceless. You get the knowledge, expertise and experience to navigate complex situations and find peaceful resolutions.

Reflecting on his journey, Andy Gillin, an Attorney & Managing Partner at GJEL Accident Attorneys, said:

I grew up in Southern California, where social inequality and injustices were and are prevalent. I then left to further my studies at UC Berkeley, where I only saw more of the same. I was determined that as an attorney, I could begin a lifelong effort to see that justice could be achieved and that justice would lead to social equality.”

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Financial Stability

The passion for justice isn’t enough; money also matters. Fortunately, we live in a society that rewards legal professionals with social recognition as well as financial stability.

Law school graduates can expect to earn higher salaries compared to other professions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report linked above, lawyers earn a median wage of $135,740 annually or $65.26 per hour.

However, note that your salary can vary based on location, cost of living, education, employer and experience level. But overall, a career in law has high earning potential.

Intellectual Stimulation

As a lawyer, your work revolves around logical reasoning and critical thinking. Researching and analyzing legal precedents, statutes and regulations becomes a routine task to craft sound arguments for clients.

This aspect of the job is the most alluring for some lawyers. It not only stimulates your intellect but also brings rewarding satisfaction.

Gillin shares such an experience during the 2002 Mass Tort Litigation case against Tenet Healthcare Corporation:

Patients underwent unnecessary surgeries at Redding Medical Center in 2002. GJEL handled almost a quarter of the 769 claims. We secured $117 million in damages for our clients and prompted significant changes in Tenet’s corporate governance to avoid similar incidents.”

Cases like this assure you that intellectual challenges are not just theoretical exercises but tangible opportunities to bring real changes. The satisfaction of achieving such meaningful outcomes fuels the passion of lawyers committed to intellectually stimulating work.

Positive Impact on Society

Kilday shared a pivotal moment in her career with Selecthub:

My zeal for fairness was sparked when I handled a case involving a small business owner who faced bankruptcy due to predatory lending practices. The significance of the legal profession in preserving rights and bringing hope back into the lives of those who are suppressed or feel disempowered was hammered home to me during this time.”

Beyond helping the suppressed, lawyers also have other ways to leave a positive impact on society. From advocating for the rights of the marginalized to fighting against environmental degradation, the legal profession can catalyze change.

Jonathan Feniak from LLC Attorney, reflects on his experience:

I once worked for a non-profit organization that was passionate about protecting our environment. This experience made me realize that one of the most important aspects of being a lawyer is fighting for what is right, even when it means putting the needs of others before your own.”

As a lawyer, you have the power to choose how you want to impact society. You can take inspiration from Palwashi Nawabi, who arranged 90 subclass visas for Afghan women and their families.

Or, you may aspire to be like Camille Vasquez. She gained fame for her outstanding work on Brown Rudnick’s successful representation of actor Johnny Depp.

The choice is yours!

Professional Development and Opportunities

Diverse Career Paths

Transitioning from law school into the professional world opens doors to a wide array of career paths, each with its own set of challenges and rewards.

Whether corporate law or immigration law appeals to you, the legal field offers a rich tapestry of opportunities to make a meaningful impact.

Here are some of the common career paths of a lawyer:

• Contractual: Specialize in drafting and negotiating contracts.
• Corporate: Handle legal matters and compliance regulations for corporations and multinational companies.
• Employment: Advocate for employee rights and handle workplace disputes.
• Family Affairs: Assist with matters related to marriage, divorce and child custody.
• Elder Law: Focus on issues affecting the elderly population like pension, health care and social security benefits.
• Immigration: Assist individuals with immigration-related matters and advocate for their rights.
• Litigation: Represent clients in civil and criminal court proceedings.
• Personal Injury: Advocate for individuals injured due to negligence or wrongdoing.
• Intellectual Property Rights: Protect and enforce intellectual property rights, such as patents, trademarks and copyrights.

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Global Reach and Cross-Cultural Experiences

Lawyers have the opportunity to engage in international law that transcends geographical boundaries. This expands your cultural competence and builds a broader understanding of global perspectives.

Kilday emphasizes the significance of cultural understanding in this profession:

Law isn’t just about knowing statutes or precedents; it’s about understanding humans, communities, and cultures. My involvement in international cases or representing clients from diverse backgrounds has broadened my horizons regarding just about everything here on earth.”

These experiences equip you with a global perspective necessary to navigate the modern interconnected world. As a lawyer, you’ll play a crucial role in fostering cooperation and understanding diverse cultures and legal systems.

Feniak underscores the value of working with various systems and cultures:

The legal field provides opportunities to interact with people from different cultures and countries. This is particularly important in today’s globalized world, where legal issues often cross national boundaries. Our work may include negotiating contracts that involve multiple countries, resolving disputes that involve people from different nations, or understanding international laws and regulations.”

Flexible Schedules

Lawyers enjoy control over their schedules, allowing them to prioritize work commitments. This flexibility helps you allocate time for personal pursuits and family obligations, contributing to overall well-being and job satisfaction.

Mike Farah, Esq., The Founder and Managing Attorney of The Farah Law Firm, highlights the benefits of a flexible schedule:

I’m also driven by the role our firm plays in promoting the sharing of information and knowledge among the plaintiff bar. I genuinely enjoy my work and the flexibility it offers in terms of where I work, the kind of work I do, and certainly, the ability to support my family are significant motivators for me.”

Continuous Learning and Growth

In law, lifelong learning and professional development are key to keeping up with legal developments and enhancing expertise. Lawyers continually seek avenues for specialization, certifications and advanced degrees to deepen their understanding and improve practice.

Through specialized certifications and advanced degrees, you can refine your skills and expand your knowledge base to serve clients better and navigate complex landscapes. Embracing continuous learning allows you to adapt to evolving legal trends and remain at the forefront of the field.

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Challenges

While it can be a gratifying and lucrative profession, it’s not without its challenges. Here are some of the difficulties you may face when pursuing a legal career:

Long Hours and Stress

Legal professionals often work long hours, including nights and weekends, particularly when billable hours are the primary measure of success. The stress of meeting deadlines, handling complex cases and dealing with difficult clients can also take a toll on mental health.

Competitive Environment and Intense Demands

The legal profession is highly competitive, and law school admissions can be challenging. Once you’re in, you’ll have to perform at a high level, both academically and professionally. Legal work requires attention to detail, analytical skills, and the ability to think critically and creatively.

Balancing Work and Life

Due to the demanding nature of legal work, it can be difficult to find a balance between professional and personal life. Long work hours make it challenging to maintain relationships, pursue hobbies and engage in other interests. It’s important to prioritize self-care and make time for activities outside of work to achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Bar Exam

Before you can practice law, you must pass the bar exam. This exam is notoriously difficult, with many test-takers failing on their first attempt. Preparing for the bar exam can be stressful and time-consuming, and passing it requires a significant amount of hard work and dedication.

Opportunities in the Evolving Legal Landscape

With a rapidly changing field of law comes exciting new possibilities. Here are some of the most promising opportunities emerging in the legal landscape:

Legal Tech

The legal industry has made significant strides in recent years when it comes to adopting new technologies. From document automation software to practice management tools, legal tech is transforming the way lawyers work by simplifying data-to-day tasks and saving time.

John Pennypacker, VP of Sales and Marketing at Deep Cognition, told us:

Tools like document automation, predictive analytics, and dispute resolution algorithms are streamlining repetitive tasks and allowing lawyers to focus on higher-value work. At the same time, online legal service platforms and chatbots are making basic services more accessible and affordable. The result is a legal landscape that can better serve a wider range of clients and their needs.”

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a game-changer, transforming how legal practitioners conduct research, analyze contracts, streamline workflows and make informed decisions. Machine learning algorithms and data analytics help analyze vast amounts of data, identify patterns and gain valuable insights.

However, it’s not advisable to completely rely on AI for your practice.

Farah explained:

Technology can be a double-edged sword if not used correctly. Lawyers shouldn’t depend entirely on AI, as we’ve seen problems arise, such as AI tools suggesting case histories that aren’t real. I recommend always double-checking AI’s outputs and using them as just one of many tools rather than relying on them completely.”

Virtual Law Practice

Remote work has become increasingly popular in recent years, and the legal industry is no exception. Virtual law practices offer services online and reach clients who don’t have access to traditional legal services.

You can run these practices using practice management software, such as Clio or MyCase, which can help manage cases and communicate with clients more efficiently.

Niche Practice Areas

As the legal landscape becomes more complex, there’s increasing demand for lawyers with specialized knowledge in niche practice areas. By focusing on a particular area of law, such as cybersecurity or entertainment, you can become an expert and differentiate yourself from others.

Specialized legal software, such as CaseFleet for litigation or Alt Legal for IP management, can help you stay on top of your game in your chosen niche.

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Next Steps

So, why become a lawyer? The answer is simple: to make a difference. Whether you’re advocating for justice, protecting the rights of individuals and businesses, or helping shape the laws that govern our society, a legal career offers endless possibilities for positive impact and growth.

If you’re in the business, you can use legal tools to streamline your workflow, automate repetitive tasks and stay up-to-date with industry trends. We recommend checking out our free free comparison report to analyze top legal software and find the best solution for your needs.

What inspired you to consider becoming a lawyer? Do you have any specific questions or concerns about pursuing a career in law? Let us know in the comment section below.

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