LEGAL SALARIES

RHunce

how much does a lawyer/solicitor/attorney make in a year, starting off and as they make theyre way up through the ranks, also how long would it take them to advance from level to level resulting in pay rises etc

McCrack

Too many variables to give you a definite answer, it's nowhere set in stone.

Salary will range from 18K for and Apprentice/devil and will rise upwards as one qualifies and will in turn increase depending on skill, reputation, position.

An average employed solicitor (associate) will earn anything from 30-70K.

A partner/sole practitioner averages 60-150K

All these would be averages and there are variations across the board.

There are a lot of under/unemployed solicitors who want to practise too.

It not a job to get into if money or perceived esteem is your motivator..you simply won't qualify on that basis alone (or you will be fundamentally unhappy)

RHunce

you see its a toss up between architecture and law

and arch is 40 hours a week and tbh i dont see myself spending that time in uni when i have always liked law etc, what was your motivater, if you are a lawyer or attorney etc??

legal eagle 1

I personally don't think you should base your decision entirely on how much you will earn, what you should focus on is what you really want to do in life, which job would make you want to get out of bed every morning. I will say though that Law is extremely hard to get into these days and unless you are really determined and really want it you will not succeed.

r14

legal eagle 1 wrote: »

I will say though that Law is extremely hard to get into these days and unless you are really determined and really want it you will not succeed.

Ditto for architecture. I have a lot of unemployed architect friends.

You really have to do what you like and not what pays more. Otherwise you are just wasting your time as you will never have the interest to do well in college and consequently will not secure the really high paying job.

Follow your heart

RHunce

thanks you guys, and i doo have an interest in both subjects i just think id prefer law more and i have also cut myself off from all science careers, i didnt pick any science subjects for my l.c

what subjects did ye do for lc??

and how did you know you wanted to become a lawyer?

legal eagle 1

I did all business type subjects for the lc. I'm not sure I have one sole reason for why i wanted to study law i just found it soo interesting. I feel empowered with the knowledge sometimes. Law effects us all and it is great to know how it effects people, what solutions and remedies they may have etc. I also like knowing things like why for example the man on the news is being charged with Manslaughter and not murder, the effect of saying yes/no to the lisbon treaty, why fathers are always pleading that they are being unfairly treated as regards custody issues.............the list goes on.
Law is a fascinating subject and it can really capture you so much so that all you think bout sometimes is the law. I have to say although I'm not fully qualified or anything yet and im finding the legal world extremely difficult to break into....i still wouldn't change my career choice.

Thirdfox

I agree with Legal Eagle (and this is coming from the viewpoint of a student who focused heavily on science subjects in preparation for medicine... alas it was not to be). After 4 years of legal education I'm very happy with the subject and feel I've learnt a lot about how society is organised (and controlled in many cases).

I believe I've found my niche in law and now will work hard towards that goal. It's not a pretty picture right now but who knows, in 5-6 years time the profession's landscape may have changed dramatically again. Do what your heart (or your stomach!) says... don't forget to consult your brain too.





*puts grammar/spelling Nazi cap on... are you sure you don't mean "affect" instead of "effect" Legal Eagle *quickly takes cap off

Oh and RHunce - from what I hear 1st year science subjects are rather simplistic (on a par with L. Cert standard science subjects). If you've got the brains to go for law or architecture you shouldn't have problems picking up chemistry or biology. And there's always engineering or computer science!

A law degree would be similar to a general Arts degree in that it doesn't "entitle" you to anything, but is a good foundation degree on which you can develop - whether into the legal field or adjoining (financial, tax etc.) fields. PwC, Ernest & Young, Deloitte etc. are always on the lookout for law students who want to jump ship into accountancy or tax. This comes with the general economy caveat - I believe they're suffering just as much as law and architecture. We can only hope for the best!

legal eagle 1

*puts grammar/spelling Nazi cap on... are you sure you don't mean "affect" instead of "effect" Legal Eagle *quickly takes cap off
Yes you got me there.........................tut tut i should totally go back and study english again!haha
Rhunce , follow your heart is my belief, whichever one you like the most go for it!

McCrack

RHunce wrote: »

thanks you guys, and i doo have an interest in both subjects i just think id prefer law more and i have also cut myself off from all science careers, i didnt pick any science subjects for my l.c

what subjects did ye do for lc??

and how did you know you wanted to become a lawyer?

Personally it was not something I wanted to do or thought of doing when I in school or college. After college and travelling etc I decided to go for it, this was in my mid 20's.

I liked English, Irish, History and Business in school and was good at those subjects whereas any of the practical subjects such as Art or Woodwork etc I was useless. I didnt do any science subjects for my Leaving either. A lot of lawyers tend to be similar and I think it helps if you have a genuine interest in current affairs and politics.

I'd say to you study a course in college you will genuinely like and enjoy because you can always study for the Law Society/Inns entrance exams after you graduate. Remember a lot of lawyers never studied law at undergrad. because it's not necessary.

Also go knocking on solicitors doors over the summer and ask if you can work in the office for nothing for a week or two to see for yourself what the job is like and if you might like it.