You Don’t Need to Have It All Figured Out
The first thing I tell them is simple: You don’t need to know yet. At 16 or 17, your interests, goals, and priorities will shift—probably more than once—before you get to college, and then again before you reach law school. That’s completely normal.
What’s great about the legal profession is that it’s flexible. Unlike medical school, there’s no specific major required to apply. Whether you study political science, biology, English, or even music, you can still go to law school if you do well academically and pass the LSAT—a standardized admissions test (which may or may not still be around a decade from now). One of the top students in my first-year law school class had a theater background. You could major in prelaw or political science, but that might limit your options if you decide against law school.
So, for now, the best thing you can do is focus on being a good student and explore subjects that interest you. The path will become clearer as you go.
Don’t Rush Growing Up
I have two sons. While I’m proud of their ambition, I don’t want them to be burdened by career pressure at such a young age. It’s okay to think about your future, but enjoying being young is also important. There’s value in being present—discovering who you are, learning new things, and even making mistakes. I get that can sound privileged, but even the most ambitious people have to make friends, make mistakes, have fun, etc.
If I were giving my sons career advice, I might suggest learning how to code. That’s a highly valuable skill in today’s world. Even if you are going to be a lawyer, knowing technology can be a boost. But I’d also encourage them to stay curious, creative, and open to change, because you never know what opportunities will exist 10 or 15 years from now.
What’s Great About Being a Lawyer
If you still feel called to law after all that growth and exploration, that’s fantastic. A law degree opens many doors. You don’t have to be in a courtroom or a corporate office. Some people use their degrees to work in politics, run nonprofits, or even become journalists. Others work in business. And of course, many politicians, including both Barack and Michelle Obama, have law degrees.
That flexibility is one of the best parts of the profession. Conversely, I’ve seen lawyers get stuck in jobs they hate because they feel they can’t do anything else. That’s why it’s important not to chase the money. Chase your passion—whatever it turns out to be—and your career will be more rewarding in the long run.
How Lawyers Prepare for Cases
I’ve been asked what it’s like to prepare for cases. The answer depends on what type of law you practice. A criminal defense attorney might spend hours reading police reports, reviewing evidence, and meeting with clients before arguing in court. Personal injury attorneys pore over medical records and talk to witnesses. Family lawyers for custody or divorce cases can do a little of everything.
Preparing for a case generally means researching, organizing information, and figuring out how the law applies to your client’s unique situation. Technology is making this easier in some ways—what took hours in a law library 30 years ago might now take minutes with a good database. However, the core work is still about problem-solving and helping people navigate challenges.
The most important thing attorneys need is strong communication skills, not just to a jury or judge but also to their clients. In many ways, being a lawyer is like being a therapist or best friend who will listen and give advice. Learning the importance of returning phone calls and showing empathy can go a long way.
Where to Start
You don’t need to worry about law school yet. If you want, you could certainly contact law firms and see if they want any summer hires. You probably would not be doing much legal-related work, but you might have to file stuff at court, make copies, open mail, get food, etc. Sometimes being around that environment can be helpful. Those jobs aren’t easy to get unless you know someone. For now, your job is to stay curious. Read about different types of law if you want. Ask questions. Explore what subjects interest you in school. If you still want to be a lawyer when you get to college, junior year is the time to start thinking about it seriously.
And if you change your mind one day and decide to do something else? That’s okay too.
Being a Lawyer Is Not Like What You See on TV
I get asked often if being a lawyer is like Suits or many other TV shows and movies. The answer is no. Like many adult jobs, it can be mundane, fun, redundant, exciting, and tense, all in the same week. What it will be for you depends on so many factors, almost all of which are out of your control right now.
If you or someone you know has questions about becoming a lawyer, I’m always happy to talk. We need more smart, compassionate people in this field.
