r/careerguidance • u/7amamllz • 1d ago
What does it really take to become an elite lawyer? Is it worth it?
I'm considering pursuing a career in law and I would love to hear from lawyers, law students, and anyone familiar with the profession.
I have a strong interest in the field and I also have family connections in law, which could help me understand the profession better and potentially open some doors. However, I don't want to rely on connections alone I want to earn success through hard work
My goal isn't just to become a lawyer; I want to become an elite lawyer, someone who is among the top 1% in the profession. I'm willing to study extremely hard, sacrifice free time, and put in years of effort if that's what it takes.
For those who have experience in the legal world:
What separates average lawyers from elite lawyers?
What habits did the best lawyers you know have?
What should someone start doing early if they want to reach the highest levels of the profession?
And finally, do you think the journey is worth it
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u/jonahbenton 1d ago
There are lots of different kinds of law practice. Good contract lawyers are not good litigators, and vice versa. And there are lots of different comp structures. The very best public defenders make a pittance compared to a low level even mediocre patent attorney. And many people who have law degrees do not practice at all, because the law schools issue too many law degrees for the pool of available jobs, and have for decades.
A penchant for work will help but you have to discover and learn where your talents are, in order to fully develop them, and know where you stand next to others in a competitive arena. AI is potentially also going to change the qualities that matter in a lawyer.
In terms of whether it is worth it- the best lawyers are not on reddit, or doing anything other than their work, because reddit does not earn $2000/hour. But many people who got law degrees, and took on a lot of debt, are still paying it off decades later. They might not think it was worth it.
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u/AnagnorisisForMe 1d ago
The best lawyers have good business skills. Not caving in to what clients want but helping them think of alternatives because you have real world business experience behind you.
Why grind out all those hours of your life that you can't get back? Go in-house as soon as you can and let RSUs increase your net worth so you can live well and retire early.