As one of the oldest academic careers, a law degree is highly regarded and offers great career opportunities. The legal system keeps evolving and legal professionals have to navigate the changes and be innovators and problem-solvers. The dynamic environment makes every day different and the profession can be very fulfilling as well as financially rewarding.
Intellectual challenges
Obtaining a law degree isn’t easy as it is intellectually demanding. Law students are taught how to argue from a basis of evidence and this requires independent thinking, problem-solving abilities and good communication skills. Acquiring these skills means law graduates can often adapt well to different situations.
Working as a lawyer is probably one of the most intellectually challenging careers. Colleagues in the field are similarly educated, making for a stimulating environment where interaction sharpens skills. Effectively solving problems for clients requires research and the ability to hypothesize and formulate legal strategies.
Abraham Lincoln University (ALU) is an online law school that provides a flexible, affordable way to earn a Juris Doctor Degree.
Earning potential
A legal qualification brings financial stability. Not all lawyers may earn huge salaries, especially when they are first starting out, but there is the potential to earn very well. The geographic region, experience level and size of the practice plays a part in earning potential.
Lawyers working in high demand specialties in large law firms in big metropolitan areas usually earn the most. Lawyers working in public aid sectors, such as legal aid clinics, probably earn the least but usually experience great job satisfaction. Most private attorneys earn salaries well above the national average.
A wide range of career options
Lawyers have a multitude of career options within the field of law and can specialize in one or several niche areas. These can range from civil litigation, domestic law, employment law and other bread-and-butter practices to specialties such as intellectual property law or environmental law.
Lawyers may decide to open their own practices and handle a variety of different areas of law for a number of clients or become corporate in-house attorneys working for a single client. Lawyers may work in fields as diverse as commerce and industry, politics, media and academia.
Some lawyers rarely argue a case in court, whereas trial lawyers may be at court every week arguing a new case. Some decide to become criminal prosecutors and others to become public defenders.
A chance to help others
For those who have a strong sense of justice, studying law offers them legal education and qualification to help individuals and organizations with their legal problems.
Public interest lawyers can champion certain legal causes for the public good. They may help those who need legal assistance but are not otherwise able to afford an attorney.
Even lawyers in private practice perform pro bono work to help the elderly, domestic abuse victims and other underserved sectors of the population. Many bar associations require attorneys to make a commitment to a number of pro bone hours every year.
Lawyers are also in a unique position to bring about societal change as they help to make laws, rule the courts, and often hold influential positions in government.
Flexibility
Attorneys are known for working long hours, having demanding billable quotas and unpredictable schedules. However, many firms are now helping them to attain a better work/life balance.
They offer reduced billable hours, virtual assistants to cope with the workload, telecommuting, tiered pay scales, alternative work schedules and more family leave. The benefits of being a lawyer are increasing as firms see the value of providing more flexibility as a way to increase productivity.