<p>law covers an enormous range of types of jobs - no question about that. in fact i think too many prospective lawyers focus on the BIGFIRMs which in fact represent a relatively small portion of the legal community.</p>
<p>but one thing i think is generally a common thread in any legal job -- a lawyer is a "hired gun" -- there to do someone else's bidding. whether that someone else is a private client, in-house corporation, gov't agency, not-for-profit, etc. and whatever type of law job someone is considering -- i just think they have to understand whose "hired gun" they are going to be and how that will affect both their daily work life and the overall agenda of their position. </p>
<p>i've just known too many disillusioned current and former lawyers who thought being a lawyer would involve greater control over the fruits of their intellectual inquiries.</p>
<p>I have been a lawyer for 29 years and I'll repeat what I have heard so often: The practice of law would be great if it weren't for your partners, your associates and your clients.</p>
<p>unbelievablem--I can see your point re: the 'hired gun' thing--of course, definitely useful to consider for whom you will be working (in law and any field). </p>
<p>That being said -- I've done both sides of criminal and -- while I thought it would be difficult -- it's the same intellectual endeavor and in a (hopefully) just system both sides are working for a positive outcome. If you like what you do (and are argumentative, lol, as you mentioned earlier), it can be fun to flip it around and work for the opposite side. If you grow tired of the agenda of one employer and weary of producing those particular "fruits of intellectual inquiries" --- there are many lateral opportunities in the field.</p>
<p>bugmom- I LOVE my partners (in-house) AND my clients! If you can find a good corporation (few and far between these days), I think the practice of law is fun and rewarding.</p>
<p>Do what you have the passion to pursue! All the other things - debt, societal opinion, stress, hours, etc, are just factors to consider. If you're happy with your choice, there will be many opportunities for you to pursue and be successful.</p>
<p>But don't go to law school unless you are absolutely, positively sure that you want a career in law.</p>
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<p>What if the student wouldn't go into debt getting the law degree and was young (but also fairly experienced in the work world, had a master's and doctorate, and mature for the chronological age) and simply feeling that the law degree would aid in understanding legal issues in running his own business in the future? Would you still feel that only those who wish to actually practice law should attend law school?</p>
<p>My view is that a legal education can make sense for most anyone if the time and money spent getting that education doesn't set the person back significantly as anyone can benefit from a better understanding of legal issues, just as most anyone can benefit from a better understanding of medical issues so if they wanted to learn about medical issues in medical school and wouldn't go into debt getting a medical degree and could do it before the age one normally starts in the work force (has a family, etc.), I am not so sure I'd see a problem with their getting the education purely for the education's sake, as it doesn't seem we are all too short on either doctors or lawyers in this county such that spots should only go to those who will use the education as a professional in the field (plus plenty of people who start their legal and medical school programs fully believing they will later be lawyers and doctors as a career change their mind anyway). We don't prevent people from getting college degrees in music who plan to go to law school or medical school, and similarly, I feel professional schools should be open to those who can make use of the education in ways other than the typical career the school is training the students to enter.</p>