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How hard is the path from lit to GC?
If I leave big law for ADA will I get canceled?
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Here’s the problem: law as an intellectual endeavor in and of itself is interesting and cool, and the rule of law is one of the most important concepts in human history. But the modern practice of law sucks. Legal culture sucks. The structure of the legal industry sucks. Because of that, working mostly with lawyers also sucks (so many are miserable). So, no. I wouldn’t go to law school again. And I try to talk those considering it out of it. Being a lawyer sucks relative to almost every other career path available for bright people.
And this is setting aside that the whole thing is likely about to be turned upside down by AI in a way that probably depresses wages. Don’t know if that’s 2 years from now or 10. But it’s gonna happen.
No. The hours and the pace and the stress would have to decrease for it to be yes
I clearly can’t speak for everyone, but 110% yes. This job is hard. Sometimes it sucks. There is fear, anguish, and doubt. There are obtuse, rude, and greedy assholes everywhere. Even on the bench. Sometimes you want to quit.
But it’s also rewarding on so many levels. You get to stand up for yourself and others. You get to give as good as you get. When some miserable jerk is on the other side, you get to go out and confront them and beat them. Maybe even embarrass them. Maybe even make some law. And when you do, you get paid. Your reputation grows. You get respect for being tough and smart. Next time, that bully will take you seriously, or you’ll do it again.
What other job gives you this? And for how long? The career of a boxer or other professional athlete is over in their 30’s. We’re just getting warmed up at that age. I’m in my 40’s and am going to be kicking ass for my clients until I’m 70. I’ll take the downs because the ups are more than worth it.
Yes and no. Your statement is true as far as it goes. Many jobs (for bright people and not) allow you to help people and grow a reputation. Plenty of them involve just as much (if not more) suffering as a career in law. None are comparable in my eyes. I would rather be a litigator than a banker/architect/tech startup person/etc.
Yes but I would have gone to a cheaper law school and prioritized minimal debt.
I’m really glad things worked out for you. Most of my students found law jobs but some have struggled with debts service. I had zero biglaw ambitions going into law school but believed that if I could get into a top 20 school I would have more options coming out. I got into one, which happened to be private and in an expensive city. I decided to take the chance and it worked out really well for me. But if I hadn’t done well in school it would have been a financial calamity.
The lie I worry most about is the lie told by high cost law schools in the bottom tier, where to find a job you have to crush 1L and then transfer. They are just taking their students money and giving them deeply cynical and false sense of hope.
No, not without a full ride to law school. And if I wasn’t a non-traditional I’d go to med-school knowing what I know now.
Probably, but I'm also not in biglaw and have done my best to put myself into positions with good work-life balance, even if it means less pay (though I still think I'm doing pretty well). People who spend their entire career in biglaw are psychopaths, sorry. I do agree with other posters that the problem is less the job and more dealing with other lawyers and lawyer culture, but if you kind of stay above it all and just treat it as a job, I don't think it's so bad.
I think even after 10 years, I might be tired of private practice, but I don't know that I'd be totally done with being a lawyer. We'll see, though.
If nothing changed, same hours, stress, pace. I probably wouldn’t choose this career in 10 years. For the answer to be yes, there would need to be a shift toward better work-life balance, more meaningful impact, and a healthier overall environment. And if you’ve lost money to an online scam, don’t stay silent, recovery is very possible, and seeking help can make a difference...
Yeah I mean what other job would lead to me making over $1m/year by the time I’m 35? I don’t have a hard science background and don’t even bother with the whole coding argument. And sure someone at early Amazon probably has a ton of net worth from early stock but that’s largely luck and a one time infusion. It’s pretty realistic that I can make over $3m/year by the time I’m 45 and working significantly less than I do now with greater ability to choose the type of stuff I work on. At that point I can basically retire whenever I want depending on how many bells and whistles I want on my future lifestyle in retirement but all basic needs will be comfortably met for my family based on really like 15 years of pretty hard work.
I hope to totally out of the practice in 10 years, 14 tops. There other things I want to and the practice sucks up my entire life.
I mean, this is basically what happens. You didn't mention pay though. The value you deliver in time amount X goes up, and the pay should too. If they pay stagnated, nope, I'd chart my course elsewhere.
yes if the pay increased 🤷♀️ i know what i'm here for
Ya I mean I would love that. I’m a 5th year in Biglaw so you’re saying I could make 500k a year for 10 more years and never have to be a senior associate, counsel or partner? I’d basically be in a position to retire and never have to take on more responsibilities than I have. Ngl it sounds great.