Should You Really Be a Lawyer?: The Guide to Smart Career Choices Before, During & After Law School

How I wished a book like this would have been given to me when I was younger. Back then I briefly considered attending law school simply because I didn't know what else to do. I was a liberal arts major, with no clue as to what I should do next. Being that I come from a Chinese family, I was also pressured into becoming a lawyer for the money and prestige that the profession was suppossed to bring. Fortunately a good lawyer from the Chinese community came to my rescue and counseled my parents thus effectively changing their minds. Believe me, I was lucky as back then most people did not have such luxury. Today however, you do. This book by Deborah Schnider is excellent in describing what being a lawyer is really like and helps cut through the indecision, confusion, misconception, fear and guilt about entering or leaving the profession. The only thing I warn you is that this book may not work on a person with a closed mind. I tried giving this book to a friend of mine who did go to law school, hated it, but is still a lawyer. He hates his job but doesn't dare consider leaving because his parents paid for his education and he doesn't dare want to disappoint them. Everytime I bring up the subject, we argue. Some people will never come around, but for those who are in serious doubt and wish to do something about it, this book is for you.

This book was one of the most helpful books about law, law school and the legal profession I have come across. It forces you to ask yourself probing and challenging questions that get at the real reasons behind why you are considering law school. It also gave great information about the what the legal profession is like and how to explore it yourself. While cautionary in tone, it does assert that there are valid reasons for choosing the law and that if you explore yourself well enough you can make an informed decision one way or the other. It's a must buy for anyone considering law school. Before you plunk down $100,000 and three years of your life, use this book to make sure that it's worth it for you.

I was reluctant to go to law school, so reluctant that I went a good three years after taking the LSAT (because I got a good score) only because that was the last year the score was good. I can't say that I wasn't warned or that I suffered from overconfidence that I would be the lone individual who would overcome the frequent gripes about the profession and the misery entrenched in big law firms. I also can't say that if I had bought this book a year to this day, that I wouldn't be where I am now... mainly dropping out of law school; but I can say that this book empowers people to make well-informed yet intuitive decisions about taking on such a daunting profession. Every fear and concern I had about making this huge decision was addressed from every angle in this book. At certain points, it was erie... truly. But even after talking to my Dean of Students, who agreed with the assessment that the legal profession is a a miserable place at the moment, I wasn't able to reconcile the feeling that I was a quitter or too weak. The book really allows the stories to speak for themselves and it resoundingly declares that there is a successful life awaiting those who leave the profession. From those who went off to write Legally Blonde to CEO of Fortune 100 companies, people do overcome that feeling eventually. I truly thank G-d that someone wrote this book and that I read it.... it is highly recommended to anyone who is entering the field.

If you are considering going to law school or a current law student or lawyer questioning your career decisions, this book provides exceptional guidance on making the right choices for you when it comes to a legal career. As a non-practicing lawyer who now works with students at a law school, I recommend this book to all students who are questioning whether law is really the best profession for them. The book avoids making judgments about the value of a legal education or career and instead poses questions and provides honest information which help people do the necessary soul searching (and reality checking) to make sure that they are pursuing a legal career for the right reasons. Being a lawyer is a great job, but it is not for everyone. This book will help applicants, students, and practicing attorneys figure out if they are on the right track sooner rather than later.

As both a former law student and a current legal career counselor, I think this book is a must-read for future and present law students and lawyers. It is completely thought-provoking and forces you to question why you want to go or stay in law school. It is a very honest book and allows you to be honest with yourself. As a law student, I would have loved to read this book, as I would've realized I was not alone in feeling depressed about law school and that I was not the only one who did not want to practice. Now that I have graduated and helping those in need at a nationally ranked law school, I would recommend this book to each of my students when they start questioning why they came to law school. For those who came for the wrong reasons, the book may let them get over their guilt and let them leave, or at least, realize they have many alternatives to practice; on the other hand, it can also give those who are in doubt their passion for wanting to go into law. A must-read for any lawyer, law student, or would-be law student.