Going to law school, like any serious commitment, is a decision that requires sincere thought and reflection. A firm commitment to this goal requires one think about a whole host of questions: how to get into law school, which school to attend, how to succeed once there, what the legal job market is like, and so on. Lost in this maze of planning is a more important question that should first be given serious thought: whether going to law school is a worthwhile endeavor at all. The answer to this question can often be found in the reasons for someone's desire to become a lawyer.

If the goal of attending law school is to argue constitutional questions before the Supreme Court, to star in a real-life Law and Order case within months of graduating, to impress family members and one's community, or even to make a great deal of money, then the honest answer is that attending law school is not the right decision. The vast majority of every lawyer's day is spent behind their desk performing legal research, writing legal briefs and memos, taking calls from clients and opposing counsel, typing out emails, and reviewing documents. There are days when a lawyer will get to go to court, take a deposition or go to arbitration, but that is the exception not the rule. Also, while constitutional law issues like freedom of speech and religion, and the right to privacy are very interesting and talked about in the media all the time, a tiny percentage of lawyers deal with these issues with any regularity. Instead, lawyers will often deal with legal minutiae related to civil procedure (i.e. issues related to how courts, judges and attorneys can act in civil cases), or other areas that perhaps are not as glamorous as those many envision picturing their life as a lawyer.

In addition, the dream of getting rich by becoming a lawyer is unrealistic for most. While a very small percent of new lawyers make a great living, the vast majority make well below the six figure salary most have in mind when applying to law school.[1] In fact, the average starting salary for a lawyer this year was less than $65,000 a year.[2] With the $100-200K in debt that law school requires, it should be very clear to all applying to law school that the reason to do so should rarely be based on getting rich quick.[3] While being a lawyer can lead to a stable earning that would help support a family, no one should be fooled into thinking a life of wealth and opulence awaits them as an attorney, especially in light of the current economic conditions where any kind of legal job can be difficult to come by.

Law school, and in turn being a lawyer, can be beneficial for those who have more focused, fine-tuned goals. If someone likes research and writing, or enjoys reasoned argumentation, then law school can be a worthwhile endeavor. Law students develop the ability to think in a structured and reasoned way and understand the underlying principles behind laws and legal regimes. Law school also helps develop writing and reading skills, something that can later be applied to a variety of legal and non-legal settings. Moreover, being around professors and classmates who are smart and interested in developing a better understanding of the reasons for different laws, beliefs and legal positions can encourage the same in those attending law school with them.

Another worthy reason to attend law school is trying to help the Muslim community. This is a laudable goal, but those interested in pursuing law school for this reason should keep an awareness of this aim at all times, as the culture at most law schools is much more focused on financial success and prestige, and not helping those most in need. Furthermore, while applying the skills and methods acquired in law school in order to benefit Muslims is possible, it also often requires a willingness to forego more lucrative legal careers, and really view the profession as one of service.

In the end, attending law school is a decision that each person has to make on their own, but by thinking about the reasons behind the decision those interested can make a more fully though-out and informed decision.

The author of this article can be reached via email at Justice360@muslimcongress.org. For more information about Justice360, visit http://www.muslimcongress.org/360.

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