What It Takes To Become a Successful Lawyer

Becoming an attorney is something that you must be dedicated to in order to truly become successful. Not only does it take quite a while to obtain a law degree (on average 7 years), but it takes quite a bit of money to obtain that degree.
 
There are many reasons that someone may decide to become an attorney. Those reasons range anywhere from somebody that likes to help other people in difficult circumstance, to people who are more interested in being able to make a lot of money.
 
In fact, a recent article by Michael Allen, titled The 5 Things You Must Do To Make Partner discusses the current trends in partnerships, as well as some tips to help you make partner. According to Allen “If, over the last fifteen years, you prognosticated that each subsequent year would be the most difficult year on record to make partner, you would be just about right.
 
Over the last decade and Lustrum, law firm leverage – the ratio between equity partners and all other attorneys – has increased every year, bar two. During this period, the number of equity partners has increased by a paltry 27 percent, while the number of “all other attorneys” has increased by nearly 86 percent. This has tilted leverage to a new high of 3.122 – up 47 percent from 2.13 in 2000.”
 
To read the entire article click the title above.
 

 
The picture above is an illustration of the current trends in becoming a partner in a law firm.
 
It’s important to remember that just because you become a successful lawyer in a law firm, this success does not necessarily transfer over into your personal life. Being an attorney is a highly stressful occupation and demands long hours. Most attorneys are not able to spend a lot of time with their families. Some people are able to cope with this better than others.
 
Recently an article published in the Kapola Times a number of professions are listed, where the writer warns not to marry anyone in that profession! One of the professions listed in there is a lawyer. More specifically a female lawyer.
 
The writer says “When it comes to good wives, there are careers you should not consider marrying women from. There are shocking reasons why police women, TV news anchors, nurses, lawyers and politicians don’t make good wives.”
 
To read the entire story click here: Why You Should Not Marry These Women: Nurses, Police Women, Lawyers, TV Anchors & Politicians
 

 
I’d like to add another profession to that list of “do not marry.” That is the profession of bail agent. Being a bail bondsman requires you to work all hours of the day and night, and be available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. I am strictly speaking from the position of being a bail bondsman in St. Louis, Mo.
 
The perception of what it means to be a licensed surety agent is much different than the reality. It is like most other businesses. You have overhead, profit margins, good days and bad days. You also need to have, believe it or not- good customer service!
 
At Bob Block Bail Bonds we try and provide the best bail bonds St. Louis Mo has to offer. Value and customer service are what we focus on, and have ever since we opened our doors in 1959.
 
Now that my rant is over, let’s get back to discussing what it takes to be a good attorney. Being a good attorney, just like being good at most professions takes hard work in order to succeed. However, success should not come at the expense of your family. Money cannot buy your health, happiness, or more special times with your family.
 
When considering whether or not being an attorney is for you, you should take some time to learn the ups and downs of the profession from a seasoned veteran. Often times perception is much different from reality. Maybe working as a partner in a large law firm is not for you, but having your own individual private practice is.
 
Regardless of the choice you make, the most important thing is that you enjoy what you do each and every day. Once you find something you love to do, it will never seem like work again!
 
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