What is the current outlook for a lawyer?

Howard L

Your question brings to mind a cartoon I read a number of years ago.

The student asked the teacher "Do you think the public will ever realize the value of lawyers in our society?'

The teacher answered "They will someday, but until then there's a lot of money to be made."

Lieberman

It depends on both the geographic area and the the area of law, but in general, not so hot. Obviously, if you're a top graduate from a top law school, you should do fine finding a position, however, firms of all levels have cut back hiring and recruitment, and the government and public interest have ever-present funding issues.

If your interest in the law is solely because you think you can make alot of money, law school won't be worth it.

katerbecker

Not bad but not great. If you are top-notch, really competitive, then it is always better. I know of at least one med mal practice in my town that is letting people go (I think it is because of a law passed in FL regarding limits on damage awards, not just pain and suffering, at least hospitals are making people sign waivers now and it's making the whole prospect profitless for consumers.)

There was a story a while ago in the NY Times about a lot of lawyers working "document review" jobs for $20/hour, contract work, because the market was no good. However, there are fields that are almost always lucrative, I would suggest if you are thinking about law school that in your second year you look for an internship with an intellectual property firm or just for a really prestigious firm so that you can get your foot in the door there. Immigration law also seems to be pretty popular these days, perhaps steady but maybe not so profitable. Family lawyers will always be needed for custody and divorce cases; also you can start off working for the state and then try to get state contracts to represent people who are facing actions by the state's department of child welfare or child support enforcement; kind of like a "public defender" but it's not criminal defense, and it's far more profitable.

You can always try the route of the State Attorney's office or the Public Defender's office to learn about the criminal system, sometimes in a state's capital, the Public Defender's office will also handle appeals, which would give you an edge if you wanted to go into practice helping people appeal through your state's system. You pay your dues as far as pay level at places like these, but if you're competent you can move up or move out within a matter of a few short years. If you are an outstanding student, top in your class and involved in moot court or law journal, you can also try for a clerkship, either at the state or federal level, with a lower appeals court judge or state supreme court judge or at the federal level. A federal judicial clerkship can pipeline you for a job as a U.S. Attorney also, if you wish to go that route. You can also try for the Judge Advocate General Corps in any branch of the service. The Coast Guard is supposed to be really nice.

Of course if you are really talented and motivated, the best firms are always going to be open to you. I'm talking top of your law school class, law journal participation and often moot court as well. A top law school is helpful but certainly not necessary either. You can have your pick, you can start off at 6 figures, but you will not have a life when you start working somewhere like this, just be aware of that fact.

william v

Well the run the world dont they? Play with peoples fate in every which way with no consequences so I'd say their outlook is pretty good. Dont believe me? Look up Donald Rumsfelds hand in getting the poison Aspartame into our diet drinks ( his first job out of law school). Anyone who can do that and still get to where he is with nothing done must be in a pretty good position.

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