Law school or no law school?

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 4:30pm

(I don't normally ask for advice on BWW, but since this has been plaguing me for months now, I thought I'd seek the guidance of as many people as possible.)

I'm in a bit of a dilemma: should I go to law school? I have the marks and a good enough LSAT score to get into some of Canada's better ones, but I don't know if this is something that's worth pursuing.

The financial benefits of being a lawyer are hard to ignore. However, the hours -- 14 hours a day, six days a week -- sound brutal, and I don't think I could live like that. I realize I can use a law degree in another capacity, but it's an expensive education. I don't want to come out at the end of it in the same position I am now: not knowing what I want to do with my future. How far can a law degree get me in life?

[paradox_error]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 4:33pm

Don't do it just because it's Law.

If you are to do it, do it for the reason of wanting to, nothing else...

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 4:33pm

I think you should do a journalism degree, Bluey.

[Love4Cheno]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 4:34pm

This is a really tough dilemma. I have a good number of friends who have been through law school or are currently in law school.

I can tell you one thing they all agree on: the ones who are practicing lawyers hate being lawyers. They are overworked and will be for approx. 10 yrs in hopes of becoming partner. At that point, the pressure and workload actually increases.

Financially, it definitely pays, and you'll pretty much always have a job. But if you're working 16 hr days, you can't really enjoy that money.

I know a few who have quit practicing and have gone into non-profit organisations as directors, etc. They make less, but seem to be fulfilled. So this is a potential path.

I don't think it can HURT to have a law degree. But, like you said, it's expensive.

Are there counselors at the universities that you can talk to?

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 4:38pm

But Gucci shoes and Prada wallets!!

Seriously, though, I've been feeling so damn useless and unimportant lately. A degree in law appeals to me because it would mean I could affect serious change in this society, not just observe the world from the sidelines.

ETA: I find that the counselors at my university and pretty ineffective. They outline your options, without providing real guidance.

What else is a law degree good for?

Updated On: 1/9/06 at 04:38 PM

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 4:40pm

Well you can affect serious change in other ways besides law. If you're not "feeling" it but only want to do it so you feel less unimportant and useless, I would advise against it.

[Love4Cheno]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 4:40pm

Well Blue, it sounds like you do know what you want to do.

As for Gucci shoes and Prada wallets, I'm an actor (albeit w/ a good day job) and I haven't had to give up my Barney's shopping sprees.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 4:47pm

As someone who's wanted to go to law school since she was 6 and will be competing for the same spots as you (unless you just applied to Ottawa, which I didn't), I would implore that you search yourself and see if you have the passion to not only get through law school but pursue a career in it. The thing that kills me is knowing that I've got the love and ambition to get through it, but that because my LSAT mark doesn't truly reflect my potential success, people who go there "just because" are taking a spot that could've gone to me and then drop out after first year.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 4:50pm

Don't worry Tiff, I won't take your spot!

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 4:57pm

Darn tootin' right you're not, if you treasure your kneecaps!

(I'm applying to Calgary and Saskatchewan this month. I can't decide which is worse - a conservative province or a tumbleweed province.)

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 5:01pm

I hear Saskatoon is quite lovely. Calgary is just an extremely overgrown town.

Did you apply to Osgoode?

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 5:06pm

Nope. The only Ontario universities that would accept my late application were Windsor and Western. And I'm deflated after meeting some Ontario residents on my trip last month - they didn't know Windsor had a university, much less a law school!

[Chenofan #1]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 5:19pm

Do something you really love. If you have second thoughts about it, is that really something you want to do for 4 years? Take some time to sit down and really plan out what you want your life to be (be realistic).

[Elphaba]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 5:22pm

exactly as doxie said....do it because IT IS WHAT YOU WANT WITH ALL YOUR HEART.........and for no other reason. Because if you do, you may end up with a lot of money, yet very unhappy.

Updated On: 1/9/06 at 05:22 PM

[Chenofan #1]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 6:06pm

Of course money rocks, but are you earning the money with something you love?

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 6:52pm

I work in house as a corporate lawyer - I don't make the same kind of money that lawyers in firms do, but the hours are far more managable.

Working for a firm is hard - but I have some friends who love it, and some who hate it.

It is no longer a profession but a business. So, make sure it is something you want to do.

And, just because you go to law school does not mean you have to be a lawyer.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 8:00pm

If I do go to law school, I probably won't end up working for a firm. Several people I have met have started businesses of their own after slugging it out at firms, and now they seem quite content.

Most likely I'd use the education I'd receive in law school and apply it elsewhere. The question is, though, is it worth spending tens of thousands and three years of my life to get a general degree?

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 10:09pm

It is no longer a profession but a business.

Y - so true!!!!!

I spend half of my time on the business aspect of my job and the other half practicing law.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 10:15pm

What about the half where you're on here and squandering your potential billable hours??