The Complete Lawyer Career Guide

Chapter 1: Is Law School Right for You?

Law school is a $150,000-$300,000 investment that takes 3 years of your life. The median lawyer earns $88K, but the distribution is bimodal: BigLaw associates start at $215K while public interest lawyers start at $52K. The decision to attend law school should be driven by data, not prestige.

The Bimodal Salary Distribution

BigLaw (top 20%): $215K starting, 2,000+ billable hours/year, partnership track in 8-10 years

Mid-law (next 30%): $80-150K starting, better hours, regional practice

Public Interest/Government (bottom 50%): $45-70K starting, but loan forgiveness (PSLF) can offset debt

LSAT Score Reality

Your LSAT score determines more about your legal career than almost anything else. A 175 opens every door. A 160 opens many good doors. Below 155, seriously reconsider whether the ROI works.

Preview covers 2 of 14 chapters. Full guide includes law school rankings analysis, practice area decision framework, and partnership economics.