re: Life as a Lawyer Advice Needed

I didn't read this entire thread but I tell anyone who asks me about law school what I've learned in my experience.

1. Even though it's still a law degree, there are two major different paths you can take. (1) Top school, larger city, "Biglaw" or (2) working as a solo/partnering with one friend and working in a smaller to midsize town. (3) a third option can also be a small boutique/specialized firm. You need to decide what lifestyle you are aiming for as the school and skills you need can be very different.

2. I chose route two but I knew where I wanted to work going in. It was a grind for a decade. I don't advise many people take that route unless you have family/dad already running an office you can hang a shingle at to learn. If you can make it, the reward can be great but even now, I'm not sure if it was financially the right move when considering how long I spent to get her. I saw A LOT of lawyers graduate, work a year or two and then change careers. If you are going this route, the school you choose almost makes no difference. I know several night school/unaccredited law school grads making half a mil or more a year.

Succeeding as a solo/small town lawyer is often more about business than law. You have to be good at running an office. Some people are great lawyers but terrible businessmen. A great businessmen that's just an average lawyer will often do better. It took me a long time to grasp that concept.

All that said, I honestly go back and forth of whether or not it's worth it. From a strictly financial standpoint, it would be hard for me to recommend law unless you are talking top school and big city.