It seems like they must be doing a lot of paperwork. Filing motions and stuff.. But I hear they have paralegals ect to do that for them. So what does a real estate atorney or enviromental lawyer do all day?
Im considering a career change, but I want to feel like my time is spent doing things that are productive and important. Right now Im a software developer, but 90% of my time is spent on nonsense: going to unnecessary meetings, filling out request forms, writing documentation that will never be read.. I need something more worthwhile to do with my life.
Lisa said:
Feb 04, 09 at 9:04 pmSo basically what you’re saying is, what do lawyers do if they aren’t in court I assume. There can be a lot of litigation in real estate and environmental law. Real estate lawyers can spend a lot of their time reviewing and/or drawing up complicated land sale contracts and transactions (e.g. dotting i’s and adding magical legalese like "time is of the essence"). But they can also spend a great deal of time litigating if there is a land or contract dispute. (The majority of cases I have to read in my contracts class involve some type of land dispute.) Many times, real estate agents draw up land sales contracts so the only time they will need a lawyer is if things get sticky and something might need to be litigated or there is a complicated land contract that needs to be made specifically for the clients needs like the sales of skyscrapers, hotels, large tracts of land, etc.
Environmental lawyers might spend a lot of time writing up drafts of bills that they would like their state representative to submit to the legislature. They also might spend a lot of time researching and dealing with tort claims arising out of environmental problems (like in the movies, "Erin Brokovich," and "A Civil Action").
Other things that lawyers do other than litigation is meeting with clients, drawing up complaints and petitions, discussing settlement deals with the other parties, writing demand letters, research, preparing memos and briefs, doing depositions, etc.
Mickey said:
Feb 05, 09 at 10:06 pmThis is one of the first things they teach us in law school, oddly enough. What most people don’t know is that majority of attorneys don’t litigate! It is extremely costly for a case to go to trial, unless you’re a Criminal Attorney. On adverage salaries start from $30 an hour, and can go has high at $300 an hour, and it isn’t uncommon for the very best to be paid $500 or more an hour. Like all other jobs it really depends on how well you are. Also in law school unlike undergrad. you don’t declare the type of law you want to do. It just happens, usually you get the first job you can find, and if someone offers you an environmental case you take it! Also a Paralegal is like a secretary, they aren’t to be abused, most paralegals spend the day just reading cases and writing briefs or taking notes during attorney client meetings. Also a good majority of small law firms don’t even have paralegals! Legal work is extremely hard, and if you’re looking for an easier career change this isn’t it! I’m going on my second year of law school, and I already know the effects! Good Luck on whatever decision you make!