How Are Real Lawyers Different from Television Lawyers?

Ask the average student why they want to practice law and you’re likely to hear about a favorite TV show. Maybe it’s Boston Legal. Maybe it’s The Practice. Maybe it’s late night reruns of Perry Mason. Whatever the show, the life of the lawyer seems glamorous and exciting.

How Television Portrays Lawyers

The typical TV lawyer drives a stylish sports car, lives in a classy uptown apartment and drinks expensive wine. The typical TV lawyer handles exciting cases and solves complex problems in less than an hour. The typical TV lawyer seems too good to be true; because he is.

Reality is much different.

When I went to college, everything I knew about lawyers came from LA Law. After I graduated from college, went to law school and landed my first legal job, I learned the truth. The life of a real lawyer bears very little resemblance to television.

Television lawyers all have the following two things in common:

They spend most of their time in a courtroom. They live a life of wealth and glamour.

The Truth: Many Lawyers Never Go to Court

Most lawyer TV shows culminate in a dramatic courtroom scene. Using superior intellect and tough cross examination, the hero breaks a key witness to win that case. That almost never happens in real life.

In real life, thousands of lawyers never go inside a courtroom. Transactional attorneys, such as contract specialists, real estate attorneys or corporate counsel, usually do not handle litigation matters. They spend more of their time reviewing and revising documents, filling out forms and talking to clients.

Even the lawyers who are litigators spend less time in a courtroom than you might imagine. Instead, they devote large chunks of time to finding clients, sending subpoenas, taking depositions, reviewing records and settling cases. Only a small percent of the work takes place in front of a judge or jury.

The Truth: Most Lawyers Aren’t Fabulously Wealthy

Lawyers on television dress in designer suits. They are partners in prestigious firms. They have spacious offices with mahogany furniture. Most real lawyers don’t live that life.

In real life, the average attorney is a self-employed, small business owner. These solo practitioners invest much of their earnings into overhead, advertising, staffing and other expenses associated with the business. Just like the owner of the local car repair shop, they devote long hours to keeping their business afloat.

Some lawyers do get rich and move into mansions. But you’re more likely to find lawyers living in middle class neighborhoods. Many bring home an annual salary that is comparable to teachers, plumbers, accountants, or nurses.

So Why Go to Law School?

Don’t go to law school if you believe the title comes with glamorous perks. And don’t expect your life as a lawyer to resemble anything you have seen on television.

Go to law school if you are looking for a career that will provide you a chance to stretch your mind. Go to law school if you like to research complex issues and explain them to your clients. Go to law school if you enjoy thinking, studying, organizing, and negotiating. Go to law school if you want to help people. If you want to live the life of a TV lawyer, go into acting instead.


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