Should I become a Lawyer?

[Colonial]

Serious question.

I would need to go back and do a Diploma of Law for four years part time in order to get the right qualifications, and have already done 5 years study in a related area (qualified as an urban planner).

Ideally, I would be looking at specialising in Environmental/Planning law - Barrister rather than solicitor. A few recent experiences at work have made me re-evaluate which particular area I want to be in. I enjoy the interpretation and the arguements, following up the case law and all that.

However, I'm also 24, so I will be 30 by the time I'm done everything. I can still work in my field as I'll be doing the study part time. I earn quite good money doing a job I enjoy - I just want to specialise in a specific area of it.

So, what are the collective thoughts? Should I get rid of all my free time for the next 5 years to study part time whilst working full time so as to become a practicising Barrister or should I go and do a 2 year masters in environmental law, and just be able to be an expert witness in cases rather than involved in the full legal proceedings?

I have a good idea in my own mind, I just like talking through these things with collective strangers.

[moosepig]

[Trooper2]

You might as well, you seem to have the most important qualities to be one.......

[Colonial]

Trooper2 said:

You might as well, you seem to have the most important qualities to be one.......

I look good in a wig?

[Trooper2]

Colonial said:

Trooper2 said:

You might as well, you seem to have the most important qualities to be one.......

I look good in a wig?

I was trying to stay away from the direct personal attack, but if you think you look good in a wig, then I say go for it, the job needs more like you!....

[Colonial]

Trooper2 said:

Colonial said:

Trooper2 said:

You might as well, you seem to have the most important qualities to be one.......

I look good in a wig?

I was trying to stay away from the direct personal attack, but if you think you look good in a wig, then I say go for it, the job needs more like you!....

Awwww, did schnookums get rubbed up the wrong way and take the internet seriously?

I'm arrogant. I'm aggressive. I'm conceited. I have no morals. I'm an ahole.

Go ahead, say it. I say it about myself.

[mybrainhurts]

When I take over, lawyers will be re-educated.....

Oh, yes....

[Colonial]

mybrainhurts said:

When I take over, lawyers will be re-educated.....

Oh, yes....

What about us cuddly environmental lawyers, dedicated to help saving cut fluffly animals. Or pouring concrete over them. Depending on which side pays more?

[XJSJohn]

Serious response (on pistonheads, no never!!!)

How you describe your personality makes you sound perfectly suited to the role. ohh bugger that wasn't a serious response.

Also, it sounds like you are already part way there on the qualifications and with a good chunk of industry sector specific experiance. I assume that you would be able to continue your current job whilst doing your part time study, but is there enough time in the day? Are you prepaired to give up social life for a while.

Age wise, no issue there, i have a mate here that got a bit fed up with his former career (offshore O&G stuff) so went through all the re-education stuff got qualifications and is now a shipping lawyer. He did this in his late 40's.

[Trooper2]

Colonial said:

Trooper2 said:

Colonial said:

Trooper2 said:

You might as well, you seem to have the most important qualities to be one.......

I look good in a wig?

I was trying to stay away from the direct personal attack, but if you think you look good in a wig, then I say go for it, the job needs more like you!....

Awwww, did schnookums get rubbed up the wrong way and take the internet seriously?

I'm arrogant. I'm aggressive. I'm conceited. I have no morals. I'm an ahole.

Go ahead, say it. I say it about myself.

Sorry, I don't think one more DOUCHEBAG is gonna sink the big lawyer boat.....too bad!


Helpful?

[CommanderJameson]

Trooper2 said:

DOUCHEBAG

...has zero impact as an insult outside the USA.

[Colonial]

Trooper2 said:

Colonial said:

Trooper2 said:

Colonial said:

Trooper2 said:

You might as well, you seem to have the most important qualities to be one.......

I look good in a wig?

I was trying to stay away from the direct personal attack, but if you think you look good in a wig, then I say go for it, the job needs more like you!....

Awwww, did schnookums get rubbed up the wrong way and take the internet seriously?

I'm arrogant. I'm aggressive. I'm conceited. I have no morals. I'm an ahole.

Go ahead, say it. I say it about myself.

Sorry, I don't think one more DOUCHEBAG is gonna sink the big lawyer boat.....too bad!


Helpful?

Damm it. Knew I missed one. Thanks for your input though.

XJS John. Thanks for that. I'm just running through the options in my head at the moment, trying to work out whether to take the plunge. The big factor is the extra cost of another uni degree. I'd still work full time and my employer is supportive of it, which is a positive. It wouldn't be a matter of giving up the income, but you're right - it is a matter of giving up my entire social life.

[SleeperCell]

Environmental law is the most boring subject in the entire world, so if you are one of the few masochists in the world who actually like the subject, then you might as well go for it.

[rickybouy]

In the UK i'm sure being a criminal is more profitable these days and more exciting

[Mr POD]

Colonial said:

Serious question.

I would need to go back and do a Diploma of Law for four years part time in order to get the right qualifications, and have already done 5 years study in a related area (qualified as an urban planner).

Ideally, I would be looking at specialising in Environmental/Planning law - Barrister rather than solicitor. A few recent experiences at work have made me re-evaluate which particular area I want to be in. I enjoy the interpretation and the arguements, following up the case law and all that.

However, I'm also 24, so I will be 30 by the time I'm done everything. I can still work in my field as I'll be doing the study part time. I earn quite good money doing a job I enjoy - I just want to specialise in a specific area of it.

So, what are the collective thoughts? Should I get rid of all my free time for the next 5 years to study part time whilst working full time so as to become a practicising Barrister or should I go and do a 2 year masters in environmental law, and just be able to be an expert witness in cases rather than involved in the full legal proceedings?

I have a good idea in my own mind, I just like talking through these things with collective strangers.

Have you ever looked at Decision tree's. You have a number of options, each option has a number of potential outcomes. With each outcome you might have a number of decisions again with a number of potential outcomes.

For each outcome you might be able to put some level of probability to it. Like %age of people who pass, like the %age of people who having passed actually get a job in that field. Just drawing it might help your understanding. I use it for all life changing decisions. It works for me.

[elster]

Mr POD said:

Have you ever looked at Decision tree's. You have a number of options, each option has a number of potential outcomes. With each outcome you might have a number of decisions again with a number of potential outcomes.

For each outcome you might be able to put some level of probability to it. Like %age of people who pass, like the %age of people who having passed actually get a job in that field. Just drawing it might help your understanding. I use it for all life changing decisions. It works for me.

Sh!t!

You are me!

I was told not to be so ridculous when I do them.

[therealpigdog]

Colonial said:

I'm arrogant. I'm aggressive. I'm conceited. I have no morals. I'm an ahole.

No - but you could become a reality TV 'star'.

HTH

[johnfm]

So, you' do a GDL for 2 yrs part time, then the BVC, which again is 2 yrs part time. The fees for both will be circa £20k. You will need to get a pupillage - which is the hardest part. Start cultivating contacts with every barrister you know now- it is the hardest, most critical part.

I'm doing LPC now at 40, and have training contract at a commercial firm who pay all my fees, so 24 is hardly too late. You may struggle, unless you have oxbridge background or great contacts, to get a commercial set to pay your GDL and BVC fees.

[elster]

Is this in OZ or the UK?

[Colonial]

haworthlloyd1 said:

no, too much competition the market is saturated and wages aren't that great outside of london

dentistry is better

But I don't want to look in the mouths of strangers all day

And yeah, oz rather than the UK but the process is the same by and large - inherited your system.

I realise environmental/planning law isn't everyones cup of tea, but it's something I find I just get. Clicks with how my brain works.

Thanks for the responses. The decision tree is something I'll look into