Law School Salaries: Is the Increase Worthwhile?

Lawyers make up one of the highest paying professions available. Their investment of time and money, though, is part of what allows them to command such high salaries, so let's talk for a minute about the salary increase for lawyers and the commitment required.

Three Years

After finishing your undergraduate degree, you will have three more years of full-time schooling before you can become a lawyer. The requirement of time and commitment is great, and many people find that it is simply too much. Before applying to law school be sure that you are truly interested enough in the law to invest this kind of time and effort.

Shadow

Before you officially start law school, shadow several lawyers. Once you start school, you will have a lot of choices about what type of lawyer you will become. It's best if you can actually shadow a few people before making such a huge commitment of time and money. Check out the profession and see if it's something you can actually see yourself doing for many years in the future, or at least long enough to pay off your student loans.

How Big Is the Increase?

Lawyers can make anywhere from $80,000 a year to well over $200,000 a year depending on the type of lawyer, their experience, and the geographical location. The increase is certainly significant, especially if you eventually own your own practice. Just remember that the increase is partly so large because this is a high stress job. Make sure you can take it before you begin law school.

Before Signing Up

Before applying and paying for a law program, consider the following:

Can you commit to three more years?

Have you shadowed a lawyer?

Can you handle the stress of the job?

Is the salary increase worth all that work?

When you've answered all the questions, then you'll be ready to decide whether or not a law program is right for you and your family.

Catherine Zandueta is a frequent contributor to CareersandEducation.com. Catherine Zandueta is a feature writer that covers topics relating to MBA Programs and online colleges.

Law School: Yes, It's Worth It!

“Why are you’re here?” was the question I heard a lot in law school, from fellow students and professors.

It seemed like a mystery that an already successful consultant--someone who was prominent in his field and even did frequent “Phoners,” guest appearances via cell phone with radio stations worldwide from the school’s parking lot—why would he NEED a law degree?

To placate them, I’d tell them that I wanted the knowledge for defensive reasons, to protect the intellectual property rights I was accumulating at a fast clip with my books, audio and video programs, seminars, and other media.

Partly true, that wasn’t the only reason, though technically I suppose it was one of the best.

I wanted the law degree largely because I wanted it.

It was a mountain to climb, and having finished a Ph.D. seven years before that, I was itching for a real intellectual challenge.

I got what I had bargained for. Pursuing my consulting gig and attending classes was a real challenge. It meant restricting my clientele largely to west coast companies.

I finished the program, early as it turned out, and I was the only person to walk through graduation having already passed the bar exam.

Soon after that, I was asked: “Was it worth it?”

In today’s dollars, I was out of pocket more than $150,000, and I had foregone some lucrative consulting engagements that could have brought in a lot more. Pegging the true cost of the experience at about $750,000-$1 million, that “value” question loomed large.

Was it actually worth it?

The answer is yes.

Doing a little self-lawyering, I recouped my tuition within a few short years. Armed with the knowledge, I undertook even larger consulting engagements with fully open eyes about the risks versus rewards that were involved.

But most important, I realized a dream, an aspiration that was suitable for me. I proved something to myself; broadened my outlook and abilities, and boosted my self-confidence.

Along the way, I’ve helped some other people, as well.

If you decide to go to law school or to any graduate school, you’ll probably ask yourself many, many times, as you’re bogged down with interminable homework, “Is this worth it?”

Money aside, if it’s what YOU want to do, of course it is!!

Best-selling author of 12 books and more than 850 articles, Dr. Gary S. Goodman is considered "The Gold Standard"--the foremost expert in sales development, customer service, and telephone effectiveness. Top-rated as a speaker, seminar leader, and consultant, his clients extend across the globe and the organizational spectrum, from the Fortune 1000 to small businesses. He can be reached at: gary@customersatisfaction.com.

Law School Know-How

Getting into law school can be a very arduous task for aspiring students. You need to start as early as your freshman year in high school if you decide that being a lawyer is what you really want to do for the rest of your life.

Do not be misled by the rosy portrayal of a lawyer's life in TV or in the movies. In real life, lawyers would have 12 to 18 working hours, especially for those who are aspiring to be partners in their respective law firms.

In order to achieve your goal, first, you need to have the correct mindset. Here are some tips on how students can realize their lifelong goal of becoming a lawyer:

1. Know what you want, and how to get it.

First, reflect on the reasons why you would like to pursue this career. If you are just looking for the 'flash' or recognition of becoming a lawyer, remember that becoming one is sheer hard work. Just like in every profession, you need to give yourself into studying, then working as a lawyer.

You may have this idealistic view as a kid that you want to save the world from the injustices that is why you would like to become a lawyer.

If you find yourself still passionate about this cause, there is no harm in pursuing your dreams.

More importantly, remember that once you decide on taking up law, you need to work very hard as a student.

2. Take off your rose-colored glasses.

You need to understand that not every student who takes up law ends up with a job as a lawyer once they graduate.

You will not necessarily end up as a courtroom hero saving an "innocent criminal" in this field.

You may find yourself dealing with real estate, corporate law, divorce cases, or even drafting up wills.

Prepare yourself for all possibilities because anything could happen.

3. Ask yourself, "Am I competitive enough?"

From the time that you send in your applications, to the time that you take the exam to be a licensed practitioner, there will be competition.

Applications for entry into law schools soar every year. What are your chances of being chosen and accepted as compared to thousands of other applicants?

Check the skills that you have and once you are confident enough that you can get into law school, then you have gone through the first step in achieving your goal.

4. Go to a university which has a record of getting a lot of students into law school.

It is safe to say that if you are a graduate of a school which "produces" a lot of great law students, then this should be a plus factor for you.

There are universities that help the students get into law school by providing mock exams and interviews, and also offer letters of recommendation.

5. Having a good grade-point-average (GPA) is not enough, you need to pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) with flying colors.

Maintain your GPA, and make sure that you perform well in the LSAT's. There are web sites where you can take practice tests at a certain cost. You may also enroll in a course that aims to prepare you for this particular exam.

6. Be an early bird.

Once you have decided on entering law school, make sure that you submit your applications way before the deadline. This should give you ample time to prepare.

Finally, you need to organize your letter of recommendations, transcripts and all the paperworks that you will need to get in.

You may seek the advice of a consultant, undergraduates or lawyers who have already passed the stage that you are now going through as a hopeful law school student.

If you combine hard work with determination and you prepare everything in advance, you will surely gain entrance to the prestigious law school of your choice.

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides law school resources on http://www.justlawschools.info.