Tell Me About A Career In Law

Parents Forum
1

<p>My junior son is still (of course) exploring different interests. We do not have a law connection in the family to ask this question to. </p>

<p>As his parent and knowing some of his strengths and interests, I wonder about a career in law. He has always been someone who even as a teen is extremely empathetic, concerned about fairness and a drive to "try for the win while doing my best" - in sports, school - everything. His academic strengths and interests are for public speaking, writing, and he is very good at remembering facts. He has been told by adults he would make a great politician or priest (yikes to both!?) because he is extremely effective communicating in front of a group. </p>

<p>What can you tell me about different careers in law? Pre-law course track? Job stability? Competition? Need? </p>

<p>His current first choice is sports management/communications (and I do imagine sports teams/programs can use lawyers)</p>

<p>He is always willing to listen to me and I'd love to open the door to this a little more if I had more info. Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>Is he a junior in high school? I am assuming so. There is no need to major in anything specific prior to law school. Many music and art majors attend law school. I never considered law until I took a business law course (required) in college and loved it. I graduated from a T6 law school, but spent my entire career working in-house (for corporations) which was an unusual choice at the time. There are so many different types of law practices that it is hard to advise you. "Big Law" (top firms in the city, perhaps emphasis on corporate practice) can be a tough road. The hours are long and the competition to make partner is intense. Obviously, the difference between a big firm in Austin, TX or Nashville and the New York firms is significant. Government work appeals to many- less income but can be less stress, too. DA or public defender- less money but not less stress. There is a law school forum on CC- you might want to post there.
I have really enjoyed (most) of my career. I have worked for some wonderful companies as chief legal officer or an asst. general counsel and have worked for terrible companies. It's just like anything else, I guess.</p>

3

<p>Yes, high school and that's what I thought that he could also make this decision later in his college career. </p>

<p>I will check out the CC law forum as well.</p>