10 REASONS TO BE A LAWYER

A career as a lawyer is an extraordinary calling. However, becoming a lawyer is a huge endeavor in terms of time commitment and financial investment. Therefore, it is important to learn as much about the profession as possible before embarking on a career as a lawyer. These top 10 reasons to become a lawyer explain some of the benefits of working as a lawyer. Keep in mind that a career as a lawyer has also had its drawbacks Law tutors. For a look at the downsides of practicing law, check out this list of the 10 worst things about a career as a lawyer.

1 EARNING POTENTIAL
Attorneys are among the highest-paid professionals in the legal industry, and most attorneys earn salaries well above the national average. While the median annual salary for all lawyers is $110,590, the world’s top lawyers pull in millions of dollars in income. Keep in mind, however, that not all lawyers make a lot of money and salaries depend on employer size, level of experience, and geographic region. Lawyers employed in large law firms, large metropolitan areas, and in-demand specialties generally earn the highest incomes.

2 PRESTIGE
For generations, a career as a lawyer has been a hallmark of prestige. Impressive degrees, generous salaries, and an authority over others have placed lawyers in an elite circle of professionals who demand respect and embody the definition of success. Today, lawyers continue to enjoy a unique professional status and a glamorous image perpetuated by the media.

3 OPPORTUNITY TO HELP OTHERS
Lawyers are uniquely positioned to help individuals, groups and organizations with their legal problems and promote the public good. Public interest attorneys advocate legal causes for the common good of society and assist those in need of legal assistance who would otherwise be unable to afford an attorney. Lawyers in private practice often perform pro bono work to help low-income people and underserved portions of the population, such as the elderly, victims of domestic abuse, and children.

4 INTELLECTUAL CHALLENGE
Working as a lawyer is one of the most intellectually rewarding jobs on the planet. From helping patent a trade secret to designing a testing strategy to form a multimillion-dollar merger, lawyers are problem solvers, analysts, and innovative thinkers whose intellect is crucial to professional success.

5 DIVERSE PRACTICE AREAS
As the legal profession evolves, increasing industry segmentation and specialization has led to a wide range of sub-specialties. Lawyers may specialize in one or several niche areas ranging from bread-and-butter practices such as employment law and civil litigation to niche specialties such as green law or foreclosure law.

6 WORK ENVIRONMENT
Most lawyers work in law firms, government, and corporations. In an age where cubicles have become a mainstay of the modern workplace, lawyers often work in an office with four walls. Lawyers at larger firms enjoy luxurious offices, extensive support staff, and a variety of office perks ranging from gym memberships to cashier seats at sporting events.

7 TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
Even if you don’t practice law, a JD can open doors to new opportunities and serve as a springboard to a new career. The skills you develop in law school and as a lawyer can serve you well in many careers such as legal consulting, management, writing, mediation, and academia.

8 GLOBAL INFLUENCE
As policymakers, thought leaders, and change agents, lawyers are uniquely positioned to affect social change. For centuries, lawyers have been at the center of society; They write the laws, govern the courts, and hold influential positions in the government. In these roles, lawyers can influence key policymakers and leaders and affect change around the world.

9 FLEXIBILITY
Attorneys are self-employed and have the ability to make their own hours, set their own rates, and choose their own clients and practice areas. The job has an inherent flexibility that allows lawyers to attend to personal matters or spend a day out of the office if necessary.

10 OTHER ADVANTAGES
A career as a lawyer also offers a number of other advantages. For example, some attorneys travel the country, or the world, to participate in trials, depositions, arbitrations, and deals. Other lawyers meet with business leaders, politicians, sports figures and even celebrities. Another benefit of practicing law is learning to think like a lawyer: studying law sharpens your analytical, reasoning, and critical thinking skills, giving you a new perspective on the world.