<p>According to what I've seen and read recently, life after law school looks really bleak right now. Law firms aren't hiring, there are too many lawyers, people are googling their legal problems, and legal work is being outsourced to foreign countries etc. </p>
<p>I guess my question is, when is it still worth it to pursue a law degree? Going to law school has always been my plan, but now it just does not seem practical. I go to a top 10 school right now and have good grades, but even if I end up at a top law school, will anyone be hiring? Up until now, I have been studying for the LSAT and researching law schools, but now I feel like I should probably pursue something else before it's too late. While I agree that we should all choose a career that we're passionate about, I need to be practical and realistic because my parents are not in a financial position where they can support me for a while if I end up unemployed after LS. </p>
<p>So to all the lawyers out there on CC, what do you think the future of the legal field looks like? and at what point is a LS just not worth it? Thanks!</p>
<p>I am not a lawyer, but my advice would be to get a decent job out of your college. Get some work experience and see if you still want to become a lawyer. Then, you will be better at judging the economic outlook and whether law school is worth it at that point. Right now, going straight to law school is pretty risky even if you get into a top ten school. Also, bear in mind, that when it comes time for interviewing with law firms, they will consider your resume and work experience seriously.</p>
<p>Do you remember that scene in “Dirty Harry” where Clint Eastwood confesses that he doesn’t remember whether he’s fired all of his bullets, and asks the kid who’s staring up the barrel of his .44 Magnum, “You’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya, punk?” </p>
<p>Although law school applications declined by 11% this year, enrollments have barely budged. The number of law school graduates far exceeds the number of available jobs openings. </p>
<p>But that doesn’t mean that everyone who is applying to law school is making a bad mistake. The law will prove to be a rewarding, remunerative career for some of them.</p>
<p>My advice would be to work for a year or two before you go to law school in any event. Keep an open mind. Study for the LSAT for three or four months, and see how you do on the test. Consider all of your options, including going to law school part time while working full-time, to minimize your debt.</p>
<p>Remember that whatever you decide to do, you’re in it for the long hall. When I applied for summer jobs my second year of law school, the unemployment rate was in double digits, and firms really cut back on their hiring. I interviewed at dozens of firms, and received no offers. I had just about decided to leave the field altogether when I received a part-time offer from a small firm. It was a tenuous start, but it turned out to be the beginning of a rewarding career. </p>
<p>Things look bleak during a recession, but recessions don’t last forever.</p>