Should You Become a Lawyer?
Careful thought should be given to the decision to attend law school and become a lawyer. Earning a Juris Doctor degree requires unrelenting academic effort and intense dedication. After law school, many people find out that the actual practice of law does not meet their expectations.
Those aspiring to be lawyers should be aware of the true nature of the profession of law. Unlike the attorneys depicted in movies and television, and those who occasionally make the headlines of the nation's newspapers, the vast majority of American lawyers spend little time in courtrooms. Rather, most members of the bar devote the bulk of their effort to the humbler aspects of the law-research, preparation of briefs, client relations, etc. A significant number of American law school graduates do not even "practice law." Instead, they occupy positions in business or government, utilizing their legal education only indirectly.
Speak with practicing attorneys about their jobs. Your family may have an attorney, or perhaps one of your relatives or friends is a lawyer. Ask them to discuss with you the good and bad aspects of their job.
See the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) site for the most up-to-date information about this field.