Elizabeth Nicole-Fylling

Mrs. Koener
English II Honors
21 November 2014

Not all lawyers are fast-talking and cutthroats as theyre often illustrated on television.
A lawyer advises and represents individuals, businesses and government agencies in criminal or
civil legal matter. In this career clients rely on lawyers to help exonerate them from both minor
and major offenses. This line of work can be demanding, as lawyers often work long hours and
must be able to interpret even the smallest details of the complex legal system. The History of
Attorneys states that The earliest people who could be labeled as "lawyers" were the orators
of ancient Athens during the 16th century. A great demand for lawyers made it into a
professional career. These people made representing other rights their main priority. In recent
times there are many fields a practicing lawyer can go into. Environmental, Criminal justice or
Family Lawyer is only a few of the hundreds of job titles one can obtain, leaving plenty of room
for employment opportunities. Lawyers deal with a lot of stress. From the working conditions,
to the years of training, and the responsibilities given with the job can prove be problematical
for some individuals who enjoy free-time and a social life. Even though it takes a lot of time
and energy, lawyers receive great benefits and the sense of triumph after they win a case.
Being a lawyer is a career for individuals that desire to spend a life-time critically thinking and
solving client based problem. In result they play an important role in representing citizens while
upholding their integrity, bravery and tranquility. They are, "The people who fight for the
truth."

Lawyers require extensive skill, knowledge, and experience for this occupations.
Education portal confirms that Law school students typically study for three years and earn a
Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree upon successful completion of their degree program. Aspiring lawyers
must complete law school. Applying to school requires graduating from a bachelor's degree
program and, in nearly all cases, taking the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Applicants
wanting to specialize in a particular field of law may consider an undergraduate degree in that
field. For example, students who want to become tax attorneys might study accounting, while
those interested in environmental law may consider majoring in environmental science. Due
to the extreme competition aspect of the job, a person with any extra certificates, training, and
languages will have a higher more likely chance to be employed while also having more
opportunities for promotions, pay increases, and more. Even though there are hundreds of job
titles one can go into, leaving plenty of job opportunities. Completion is fierce as every aspiring
lawyer want to get into the top universities. Acceptance by most law schools depends on the
applicants ability to demonstrate an aptitude for the study of law, usually through
undergraduate grades, the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), the quality of the applicants
undergraduate school, any prior work experience, and sometimes, a personal interview. Law
schools vary in the weight they place on each of these and other factors.(Education Portal).
Although, it seems like a long time to obtain the title of a Lawyer, it is not nearly enough time to
perfect the art of becoming a prominent lawyer, it takes even more time to get your name out
there and have people wanting you to represent them. Some of the best colleges to practice
law in include Brigham Young University Law School, Chicago Kent Law Schools, Columbia
University School of Law. Tuition Tracker states that since 1985, inflation has been a factor in

rising law school prices. According to the BLS, inflation has been 101.5% over this period. But
legal education inflation far exceeds the inflation rate. In 1985, the average private school
tuition was $7,526 (1985 dollars), which would now cost a student $16,294 (2013 dollars).
Instead, the average tuition is $41,985 (2013 dollars). In other words, private law school is now
2.6 times as expensive as it was in 1985 after adjusting for inflation. Public school (for residents)
is now about 5.5 times as expensive. One must have a passion to becoming a lawyer for
schooling is costly and the completion is tense. It is important for the younger generation
interested in pursuing this career to enroll in any Career and Technical classes in High School.
Classes such as Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice are great ways to stay ahead. Salary.com
says that Many lawyers decide to leave their firms after two or three years, going to work for
corporations, non-profits, or government bodies, or leaving the profession altogether. Legal
consulting, legal education, law school administration, government lobbying, and legal
recruiting are some of the more popular areas lawyers tend to move into.

Other fields for with legal training is necessary include paralegal and legal assistant, law clerk,
title examiner, abstractor, arbitrator, mediator, conciliator, judge, magistrate, administrative
law judge, adjudicator, and hearing officer There are thousands of fields a lawyer can go into.
American/ US Law/ Legal Studies includes the instruction in legal history, legal sociology, and
philosophy of law. Energy/ Environment and Natural Resources Law includes energy
production, transportation; pollution prevention, biodiversity protection and natural resources
exploitation and preservation. There are endless possibilities to choose from. Lawyers work
long hours representing clients in criminal and civil hearing and other legal proceedings.

Drawing up legal documents, managing or advise clients on legal transactions, preparing legal
briefs and opinions and file appeals in state and federal courts are a few of the task lawyers
perform. Lawyers who are in private practice or those who work in large firms often work long
hours conducting research and preparing or reviewing documents. Lawyers work mostly in
offices. However, they travel to attend meetings with clients at various locations. Heavy
pressure is placed on lawyer while representing a client who is guilty. One of the hardest things
a lawyer has to face is defending a client who is guilty. For example, if a lawyer was
representing a criminal who was charged for murder and knew he was guilty, they would be
unable to say anything without facing charges themselves. Lawyers are responsible for
evaluating findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for cases. They advise
clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending
lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations. Helping develop federal and state programs, drafting
and interpret laws and legislation, and establish enforcement procedures. The life of a lawyer
may seem arduous but they receive great benefits. They receive both standard Federal benefits
and tailored Department benefits. Holland and Knight says that they offer Annual Leave, Sick
Leave, Paid Holidays, Health Care Coverage, Health Care Flexible Spending Account, Federal
Long-Term Care Insurance Program, Life Insurance, and Federal Employees Retirement System.
Benefits may vary by position and office. Along with a lawyers numerous benefits, they receive
an immense salary for all the hard work and effort they put into their job. Pay scale states that
The average pay for an Attorney / Lawyer is $76,438 per year. Experience has a moderate
effect on salary for this job. People in this job generally don't have more than 20 years'
experience. Skills that are associated with high pay for this job are Intellectual Property (IP),

Regulatory Compliance, Complex Litigation Case Management, Contract Negotiation, and Legal
Compliance. Its not easy to become a lawyer; it requires a great amount of education and a
prominent amount of money, and should only be pursued as a career for those who truly have
a passion for the Law. A lawyers work can be very taxing. Lawyers work long hours and must
be able to comprehend the complex legal system. It is vigorous work but offers great
opportunities and provides a stable foundation.
PERSONAL REFLECTION
Becoming a lawyer requires a lot of patience and you must have a love for it. I have always
wanted to make a difference in the world even if it was a little change. Pursuing a career in law
has crossed my mind multiple times but it wasnt until I did actual research on environmental
law that a true passion developed. I feel becoming a lawyer is a great fit for me. I always put my
work ahead of everything I am a constantly looking for victories. Victories that I will work
extremely hard to achieve. This career gives great benefits and has a stable salary that would
support my life. One of my best qualities for this career is that I am argumentative and get
really passionate in my work. I am willing to go through all of those years of schooling to be
able to help our planet some way. I would love being a lawyer because to me its someone
depending on your to aid them in whatever situation presents itself. One of my main concerns
about the job is the toll it would take on my social life and the stress I would be under. Being a
lawyer is extremely stress full, but I will do whatever it takes to achieve my goal, especially
when you get the opportunity to help someone who desperately needs your help. It would feel
good to be that person. I also love the creativity involved with handling virtually every case or

matter. Law is a thinking profession, not just a doing job. Being a lawyer is never boring. One of
the best aspects of the job involves all the problem solving one must do to prepare for a case.
Thats why I want to aspire to become an environmental lawyer, so that one day I can make a
difference in the world.
History of Lawyers
http://lawyerhistory.blogspot.com/
Education requirements For Becoming a Lawyer

http://education-portal.com/education_requirements_for_becoming_a_lawyer.html
Lawyer Benefits
http://www.hklaw.com/Careers/Lawyer-Benefits/
Attorney/ Lawyer Salary
http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Attorney_%2F_Lawyer/Salary

Tuition Tracker
http://www.lawschooltransparency.com/reform/projects/Tuition-Tracker/
Lawyers Career Education and Advancements
http://www.salary.com/lawyer-career-education-and-advancement/