Job of the issue: Lawyer

Unknown to many, lawyers aren’t just seen in court.

According to Steve Brainerd, “There are lots of different kinds of lawyers . . . There are government lawyers who do the legal work of a particular agency or committee, lawyers who are employed to advise a single company or organization, lawyers who serve as lobbyists or policy analysts, lawyers who represent the public or defendants in criminal cases, and many more.”

Criminal lawyers for example focus on criminal law. They are the ones you see most often in court. A tax lawyer specializes in federal, state and local tax laws based on the issue presented. A lobbyist works with government officials. It is important to research the type of lawyer you want to be, and find out the best routes.

Television portrays the job of a lawyer as easy and pays well, but in reality,  it is a very demanding career.

“Being a lawyer can be stressful,” says Ron Hellbusch, “but the hardest part is working with the occasional lawyer who is just mean and dishonest. Fortunately, most lawyers are decent people.”

In order to become a lawyer, you must have a bachelor’s degree followed by three years of law school.

The job involves lots of reading, writing, thinking, talking to people, and working with other lawyers, but the main reward, according to Mr. Brainerd, is being able to participate and help in a bigger cause.

“Becoming a lawyer allowed me the opportunity to deeply study and participate in the system.  The system is badly flawed, in many ways. But it is an important and potentially noble effort in ethics.”

Special thanks to Ron Hellbusch from Lewis Brisbois and Steve Brainerd from Davis Graham & Stubbs!

Emma Valentine