If you’re a big fan of legal-based dramas or movies, you may think of getting a law degree in the future. However, what you see from those shows doesn’t accurately represent the life of a professional who’s practicing law. It’s important to have a grounded basis about entering law school and being an attorney because it’s entirely different than what’s portrayed on mass media.
Debunking The Field Of Law
What you see on TV is amped up to entertain, so don’t you ever think practicing law is easy and glamorous. Because in reality, the true life of a legal professional is far from being fun.
It’s significant for these notions to be clarified, so you won’t underestimate the field. This article would debunk some of the most common myths related to practicing law.
Myth: Being A Lawyer Guarantees Financial Success
The first myth to debunk is the notion that once you become a lawyer, you’re going to be rich. In reality, being an attorney doesn’t guarantee financial success. Don’t be fooled by what you see from the lawyers on legal dramas and movies earning millions, wearing designer outfits, living in luxurious apartments, and driving high-end sports cars. This is because it’s not always the case for all lawyers out there.
While there are corporate lawyers working on mega-firms that are highly compensated, these attorneys only account for a very small percentage of all those who are practicing law. The truth is the majority of lawyers all over the world work in firms where they receive a comparatively smaller compensation. Some are even hired by public interest groups that don’t pay in six or seven digits.
If you factor in the number of hours these attorneys put into their work every week, you’ll find that their per-hour rate isn’t high. So just like other employees, they need to work from morning until evening to earn enough income.
Myth: Lawyers Are All-Knowing
Another common misconception about professionals who are practicing law is that they seem to know everything and do all the work on their own. Although most attorneys have impressive capabilities like Ryan Gibbs and others, not all of them are experts in all areas.
Most lawyers specialize in one or two areas such as family law, employment law, corporate law, and other niches. The majority also choose between being a litigator (an attorney who specializes in representing clients in the court) or a transactional lawyer (an attorney who specializes in matters such as negotiations and mergers, among others).
Also, don’t believe what you see from TV where attorneys play the ‘hero’ role where they come up with a miracle and deliver a last-minute victory because that’s very uncommon in the real world. Attorneys don’t work on their own. In fact, most cases are worked by a team of people which consists of fellow attorneys and researchers.
Each member of the team is required to put in dozens of hours in a single case to do many things such as investigation, background research, fact-checking, and other types of legal preparation. Lawyers are also required to be team players and be able to work with others, so they can contribute effectively.
Myth: Being A Lawyer Is Glamorous
You may think of practicing law as fun and exciting after watching legal TV series or films, but in reality, the life of an attorney is far from being glamorous. Most lawyers spend a big chunk of their week working on a case which includes doing a ton of research and planning.
Legal dramas and films make the work seem to be exciting as everything appears to happen at once, not to mention there’s always plenty of drama involved. However, most cases can drag on for several months or even years before they can even get to court, let alone be finalized.
Keep in mind, most legal TV series or films use a courtroom setting where the case is centered around a mass civil lawsuit or criminal trial. But most attorneys spend most of their time working on short civil court cases, making settlements or negotiations, or providing legal consultation to clients.
Final Thoughts
Many people think they know everything about lawyers, but as discussed above, these are myths far from reality. Lawyers still have to work hard, spend hours and hours on the firm, and do their very best to help clients get through their legal problems.
Practicing law would entail years of effort and dedication. Take note of the ideas mentioned here before deciding whether a legal career is for you.
