Finding the Truth with Facts on Lawyers

• The average starting pay for a new lawyer is only $35-40K per year. This is eclipsed by the pay for those who become physician assistants, engineers and even by the salary given to some nurses.

• Becoming a lawyer requires that you have a law degree from an approved institute.


• It is a true fact that where a lawyer obtains their education plays a crucial role in the type of jobs they will obtain after graduation. Law firms look quite favorably on those who have attended Ivy League and other top name schools.

• If you have a choice between attending law school at night or during the day there is really little difference in the education that you will receive. However, when it comes to finding the jobs at the best law firms, those who attend traditional law programs will be given first consideration.

• One fact that some people are not aware of is that you are not a lawyer until you have successfully passed the Bar Exam.

• A lawyer's license is not able to be transferred between states; you must take another Bar Exam if you want to practice in another state. This is a fact that is true in every state, and it is a prime reason why few lawyers have multi-state licenses. Most attorneys do not want to retake the Bar Exam just to practice in another state's jurisdiction.

• Alcoholism and divorce rates for lawyers exceed 50% nationwide.

• Several national studies have indicated that almost 25% of all lawyers suffer from depression.

• It is a startling and true fact that 15% of all law school students have some type of mental problem.

• Lawyers spend the majority of their work time researching cases and reviewing the papers that are being prepared.

• In order to be approved to take the Bar Exam an applicant must show that they possess a good character, strong ethics and have good morals. A little known fact is that problems like bankruptcy can cause your legal career to slow down before it even starts. Jose Baez is an attorney whose many personal problems made his journey to becoming a lawyer a long and arduous process.

• 46 states require applicants to take, and pass, the Multi-state Professional Responsibility Examination prior to practicing law. This exam covers basic rules of professional conduct and behavior that is expected by those in the legal field. Four states do not require this exam, and there are two states that will allow an aspiring lawyer to exempt the examination if they can produce a record of good grades from a legal ethics class.

• One of the newer facts about lawyers is that some of them have to take continuing education courses every year in order to renew their state license. All states do not require these courses, but it appears quite likely that this will soon be a mandatory requirement.

• Abraham Lincoln became a lawyer, but never attended law school. Clarence Darrow was another famous American attorney who did not have formal legal training. Darrow did have one year of law school education, but he did not impress his teachers or classmates. He did not let this lack of training hold him back in his career aspirations.

• While the rate for problems like alcoholism, depression and divorce are extremely high in the legal profession, the likelihood that lawyers will seek or accept help is slim. When you investigate the facts it is obvious that the assertive, aggressive characteristics that are so common in lawyers also keep them from getting the help that they need.

• One of the inescapable facts about trial lawyers is that they must be able to impress and convince a jury about the points that they are making. A good speaking voice, a flair for drama and striking looks are all considered to be desirable traits to have when making frequent court appearances.

• Lawyers have salaries that generally range from $40-$150K per year. The facts do show that a number of attorneys are outside of this annual income range, but they are not in the majority. The pay for a lawyer still is considered to be second to that of physicians.