Are you glad you became a lawyer? Anyone work for the gov. in Sacramento, CA?

I graduate soon and am thinking about becoming a lawyer. People tell me I would be good at it because I write well, like to develop arguments, am articulate, and think outside the box (according to them). However, I'm also kind of shy, and am not really competitive or aggressive. And, I do want to have a family and a life outside of work. If I went into law, I would probably work for Sacramento County or the state. How are these jobs? Is it easy to get a job? Are they less stressful/demanding than private practice? Are they enjoyable? What kind of characteristics are necessary for success? Are you glad you went into law? Is a J.D. good for any other profession? How could I avoid the courtroom?

My alternative is to become a guide dog trainer. Sounds more appealing to me, but I thought the money would make law worth it, and the guide dog program offered in an area I don't want to move to. Thoughts?

Rivkah â™¥ ×¢× ×™×©×¨××œ ×—×™

I make $350,000 a year and I'm miserable. The money isn't worth it.

I went to Harvard, graduated with honors, passed the Bar on the first try, for what? I spend my days formulating arguments to keep the most disgusting excuses for human beings I have ever had the misfortune of meeting out of jail.

Alex R

Well I have been a lawyer for nearly 30 years, in other words I am very capable of describing the profession. The sad thing is that to be realistic law has become "The Great Paper Wars". Honor has left the profession. I used to love law, and yes your first few cases will be exciting. You will love it, yet as time moves on you will see a lot of crap in the system. Trust me, it may offer less money, but by being a guide dog trainer it sounds like you will be happy. Do what you love.

To answer all of your questions directly here goes.

When I started I practiced in San Francisco I immediately went into private practice, as opposed to working for a firm in which you would do all the grunt work. In private practice I had the freedom to think, analyze, and argue my position without having a superior not find my work acceptable. As for how stressful private practice is, sometimes I feel as if I am inundated with work. I only operate with 2 secretaries and a partner, so I receive the bulk of the Paper Wars myself. Last weekend while preparing for trial, I had to write 18 motions, simply because the opposing large law firm can manage this kind of output. And this is where the sleezy element comes in. That law firm is just trying to work me to death until I get sued for malpractice (sounds dog-eat-dog). Yet it has its advantages; if the pursuit of truth and justice is your thing, you will like the profession even with all the baggage.

J.D.

Don't go to law school if your heart isn't in it. You won't succeed if it's not what you truely desire. I know plenty of classmates of mine who were kicked out, but they were there for the wrong reasons. Committing to law school on a whim is not going to get you anywhere. It takes more than skills to get through. You have to have focus, stamina and be like a lazer. You speak of dog training more passionately than you do about a prospective legal career.

hitechcountryboy

Well I am not a lawyer, but my sister is one. My sister is my best friend and were very close. Any way's she has been a lawyer for 15 years now. She has said many times that it is very stressful. Often times she has to take work home with her so many of her evenings and weekends have been shot because of that. Another problem she has is vacation time. Every time she plans on a vacation she has a case to present in court. It has really taken a toll on her health at times. She gets so warn out from working 24/7 for weeks on end that her system just cant handle it. She does like being a lawyer, she said like any job it has its good times and bad. But it is very demanding, very long hours and stressful.

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