What are the pros and cons of being a lawyer?

The pros of being a lawyer are having a variety of career options and a lucrative salary, while the cons include being in a high-stress role and having an expensive education.

• Pros:

  If you're interested in becoming a lawyer, it's important to consider all of the pros and cons of this exciting career. Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of this role will help you determine if you're well-suited for this career path. No matter the type of law you choose to practice, there will be benefits and drawbacks.

  One of the benefits of being a lawyer is that you will actually have several career options in both the private and public sectors. Once you pass the bar exam, you can choose the speciality that you are most interested in. You can choose to practice as a criminal prosecutor helping to keep your community safe.

  Or you can choose to work in areas like real estate and corporate law. You can also choose to work for an established law firm and work towards becoming a partner, or you can choose to start your own business. If you choose to start your own business, you can decide how you want to operate.

  For example, you can work with multiple clients at one time, or you can work with a single client for an extended period of time. You can also choose to operate solely or to bring on a team of lawyers to work for you.

  In addition to the ability to build the career of your choice, you will also likely be able to earn a generous income. In 2022, the average salary in the United States for a lawyer with one to two years of experience is $80,335 per year, and $99,456 per year with six to nine years of experience.

  Along with the lucrative salary, many lawyers enjoy a level of prestige in the community. Many people view the profession of a lawyer as one with a high level of regard. This typically stems from their impressive degrees and their level of authority. In many ways, the career of a lawyer is associated with wealth and glamor.

• Cons:

  While being a lawyer comes with several enticing advantages, you also need to consider the drawbacks of this profession. If these drawbacks don't outweigh the cons, this may be a suitable career for you. Perhaps one of the biggest drawbacks to consider is the stress of being a lawyer.

  When you are a lawyer, it is important to meet deadlines and as well as the demands of your clients. On a daily basis, lawyers will have to juggle deadlines, work long hours, and complex cases. They will also typically have to deal with clients who are in emotional situations.

  This is particularly true if you are a criminal or family lawyer. It can be incredibly difficult to shoulder and share the emotional burden of your client's situation, and it is not unusual for clients to take their negative feelings and stress from their situations out on their lawyer.

  In addition to the stress associated with the day-to-day tasks, many lawyers are also stressed out by the expensive education that comes along with their careers. Many law schools come with a large price tag. Typically, the better and more prestigious the law school, the more expensive the educational expense.

  Even with a generous salary, new lawyers may not be able to pay off their debt as quickly as they would like.