So you to to be a Lawyer?
The first question you need to ask yourself is: What type of lawyer do you want to be?
Attorneys, at their most broad definition, fall into one of two categories: Transactional and Litigators.
Transactional Attorneys:
- Work with businesses, non profits and other organizations to secure contracts, review regulation, and maintain operational compliance
- They work as internal counselors (direct businesses employees) and outside counsel (third party affiliates)
- Transactional Attorneys do not visit the court room; except on the occasion where they testify on the behalf of the company they work for
- Learn about types of Transactional Attorneys (Link)
Litigation Attorneys:
- Litigators are attorneys who defend clients and act as prosecutors in court
- Litigators work at a firm. Firms range in size according to the number of attorneys they employ
- Learn about types of Litigation Attorneys (Link)
So You Know What You Want to Practice… Are You Ready for a Legal Career?
Ask an Attorney!
In this section we share first hand experiences from real attorneys, to give you the scoop on what being an attorney is really like. (These anecdotes are taken from real attorneys that we have personally interviewed. For sake of privacy, the individuals highlighted here will only be mentioned by first name. However, the industry they work in is accurate. It is included for your benefit/ interest.)
Julie, Regulatory and Acquisitions, Internal Counsel (Financial Investment Firm)
TU Pre-Law: What do you love most about being a lawyer?
Julie: “I love the fast pace of it all. The first job I got was with a large firm out of NY. The first project I worked on was completing an acquisition between a U.S. oil refiner and a foreign distributor to buy the distributor. Everything moves so quick”.
TU Pre-Law: You have mentioned that you are a big proponent of working at a large firm. What value would you say, is only acquired working for one of these giants?
Julie: “Absolutely, great question. I would say that 95% of your learning as a lawyer comes from on the job training. Your degree is only good for theory and understanding the way the law works… so if you have to learn on the job, then the best place to do so is going to be at firm with a variety of work, lots of experienced lawyers, and tons of opportunity to grow. Big law firms also condition you the quickest”.
TU Pre-Law: You mentioned conditioning. Can you explain what that means in regards to becoming a lawyer?
Julie: Sure. There is no secret that young lawyers work awful hours… there is no getting around it. You should expect to put in 70+ hour weeks your first couple years out of law school. This is in part due to the fact that firms are testing you. If you can be conditioned to think succinctly, and to work efficiently, then you will be successful”.
Jason, Chief Compliance Officer, Medical Device Manufacturer
TU Prelaw: Why did you pick to be a transactional lawyer rather than a litigator?
Jason: “I like tangibles… a contract is something you can hold, a company is something with people and machines that are real. Litigators, despite being glamorized on tv, spend most of their time doing research and interviewing people. They may defend someones rights or prosecute a wrong doing. These things aren’t tangible. Nothing wrong with wanting to defend others in court, it is very noble, but I like things that I can hold onto. The law is already this intangible thing that binds us, its easier to understand it when you can take it and rap it around something that is easy to picture”.
TU Prelaw: What is one understated thing that students should be more aware of when deciding whether to become a lawyer?
Jason: “You must excel consistently at each step in your career. Think of this common example…You’ve heard of climbing up the corporate ladder? [Yes] Ok, well imagine your law career is that ladder and each rung is step up in your career. So, at the bottom you’ve got law school, and then first job, and then first real job, and your goal position… (laughing) and hopefully early retirement at the top! Well access to the next rung is only granted based upon you standing (high/low performance) on the previous rung. So in other words you must be performing at your best to reach the next highest rung on the ladder. But, where this profession differs from others is that the margin for performance is slim to nothing. Think about it… if you needed surgery and two doctors were going to operate… one had an 87% success record and another had a 94% success record. Who would you pick to do the surgery? Exactly, the 100% rating! The other 99% of doctors does not matter; because, as the patient you are going to pick the best available all the time. Well in law the patient is your law school, your job, your dream job. Basically what I’m saying is that in order to progress you have to be the best (or top 5%) at the current rung. This is because availability for top positions is limited an demand is high.You need to ask yourself are you ok with that level of demand for performance, can you realistically sustain it? Are you ok with that level of uncertainty?
TU Prelaw: Ok lets switch things up, what has your family life been like while being a lawyer?
Jason: “I am lucky that I have a supportive wife. But people should realize that this career takes a lot of time and commitment. When you first start out, as a young lawyer, it will be hard to begin a family. However, it can be done! I personally love my work and can manage both family time and a work schedule in my current role. However when you are at your first job out of school, forget it, you’ll have to wait”.