<p>i'm thinking about goin into law (tho this might change in the next 23 hours). but i'm not good at debating, esp if it's about something i'm not too enthusiastic about.</p>
<p>so i'm wondering what else is there (specific jobs) to a lawyer besides standing in front of a judge in court defending someone or something? </p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>Most law is done outside of the courtroom. The most important skills one can have for law is being able to think analytically, clearly communicating that thinking, and being able to write clearly as well. Public speaking is almost non-existent for many lawyers in certain fields (entry-level associates at big law firms, tax law, and most other non-criminal areas of law).</p>
<p>If you're not good with debate, try something like corporate M&A or something. Mostly involves working with investment bankers and stuff on deals and things like that. </p>
<p>And by the way, a vast majority of lawsuits get settled out of court and involves some sort of cocounsel. You meet opposing counsel at your office and just pound out a deal. I'm guessing negotiation skills are KEY. But that can be learned.</p>
<p>being able to communicate clearly is a huge plus but not necessary for law. and law has many, many different fields that you would not expect. environment, tax, patent, gov't and private practice(most common) are just a few fields. so basically, there's alot to law besides the courtroom</p>
<p>If you're not good with public speaking and debate, don't EVER do litigation or worse, criminal defense. But any field in law will involve some courtroom action.</p>
<p>most lawyers do not see the inside of a courtroom. just make sure you dont go into litigation. eg, if you do corporate (transactional) law, the "debating" you do amounts to negotiations with lawyers representing other firms and expressing your positions clearly to your clients.</p>
<p>so you can't debate? i think that's fine if you still want to do law. but there might be stuff on the government. lawyers mainly research, read, and write. i hear they spend most of their time at the law library. or is that paralegals. well, they do almost the same thing anyway.</p>
<p>"lawyers mainly research, read, and write. i hear they spend most of their time at the law library. or is that paralegals."</p>
<p>No, that's first(second and third) year biglaw associates.</p>