<p>If you are familiar with legal practice and think you could love that kind of life’s work, then go for it. Try to get some exposure to actual legal practice, not just TV shows!!!</p>
<p>There are downsides. The following ancedotal informaton was gleaned from listening to friends, acquaintances and practicioners. Much of it holds true for any of the “learned professions”; law, medicine, accounting, engineering consulting, etc. </p>
<p>It requires huge amounts of technically uncompensated overtime just to keep your job!!!</p>
<p>If you are not considered a “core” employee, i.e. not from a name school and without “connections”, you are subject to layoff on a whim.</p>
<p>If you put in 3000 hours a year, not unheard of, and are paid $160,000,you made $53.33/hour plus fringes. Medical residents are paid worse and work harder. They do have a more secure path to big bucks if they want that. </p>
<p>There are societal and networking barriers to making partner in the big law mileau. It is not a given. If you cannot schmooze with the big boys/girls you cannot make partner.</p>
<p>It is not in the best interests of any firm to treat a good empoyee poorly. But when the going gets tough, a mere employee can be “thrown under the bus” or “thrown to the wolves” for the “good of the firm”;i.e. the partners.</p>
<p>If you are really good and are not treated well, you can start your own firm.</p>