If you think that every attorney is cruising to the courtroom in a luxury car, or speeding around town looking for recent car accidents, you've been watching too much television. The profession is far less glamorous and not nearly as unethical as it is portrayed.
There are many myths surrounding the attorney profession,
largely due to movies, television, and books that paint a stereotypical and largely untrue portrait. Lawyers aren't the wealthy, fast-talking and powerfully passionate people pounding on the judge's desk during a trial. They're more often than not sitting behind a desk, poring over piles of paperwork, answering phone calls, and guzzling coffee to help keep their eyes open. The profession isn't as glamorous or sleazy as many believe, which may be a good thing. Here are 5 common misconceptions about lawyers.
1. They're Rich
As with most professions, success and salary are highly dependent on a person's ambition, skill, and goals with a little bit of luck thrown in. To make a hefty six-figure income, most legal professionals will have to put in long workweeks, weekends, and several years of clawing their way to the top of a large firm or building up their own practice. For every luxury-car driving attorney, there are three that are living modestly, working fewer hours, and choosing specialties that aren't cash cows such as non-profit work.
2. They're Ambulance Chasers
How many lawyers have you seen hovering around a stretcher at the scene of an accident? There, of course, some firms that bank on these types of cases, but not all lawyers work with personal injury cases or file questionable lawsuits. Many specialize in other areas such as corporate law, estate planning, divorce court, and international law.
3. They Spend Most of Their Time in Trials
Only a small percentage of cases and claims make it to the trial level. An attorney spends the majority of their practice behind a desk, researching, making calls, and filing documents. There are some that specialize as trial lawyers, but again, they will do more work outside the court than in. In many cases, going to trial is not ideal, but a last resort. Outcomes can be unpredictable, so think carefully if you are offered a settlement or plea bargain.
4. It's Personal
Courtroom dramas have made it seem that lawyers become deeply emotionally involved with their clients. A real working relationship with an attorney is much more professional and clinical. They're providing a service, you're paying, and it is in their best interest to secure the most positive outcome possible. Most cases are pretty straight forward, and you won't be their only client. Don't take anything personal, its just business.
5. They'll Take Any Case
Many people can't afford the services of an attorney, so they seek one who will work for "no win, no fee." Because lawyers who perform these types of cases can potentially lose great amounts of money and time, they're picky with which clients they take on. These cases are always a gamble, no matter how airtight they may seem. If you don't have a strong case that will result in a reasonable amount of compensation for their efforts, you won't find any firms willing to take you on. You may, however, be able to find an eager graduate looking for experience who can serve you just as well.
