Salaries and work hours vary widely across the profession. For the national graduating law class of 2007, the average starting salary was $86,396; the median salary was $65,750 (NALP-The Association for Legal Professionals' Jobs & J.D.'s: Employment and Salaries of New Law Graduates-Class of 2007). While a corporate lawyer at a top law firm may currently earn between $135,000-$160,000 in the first year out of law school, he/she may also have to work twelve hours a day, six or seven days a week. Government lawyers and those who work in-house for a company or organization usually have more reasonable and predictable work schedules but earn a lower starting income. Most of those interested in public interest law can expect a starting salary under $50,000. Lawyers entering a solo practice earn varying amounts depending on their legal expertise and the region where they practice. In addition, many people trained as lawyers work in jobs where their legal training is of value but they are not actually practicing law.
Ways to Explore a Career in Law
- Register with the OCS Pre-Law listserv to receive e-mails about law-related programs and opportunities.
- Become involved with one of the Harvard Pre-Law student organizations (such as the Harvard Pre-Law Society and Harvard Black Pre-Law Society).
- Get to know your House Pre-Law Tutor.
- Consult with the OCS Pre-Law Advisor about your interest in pursuing legal studies.
- Conduct research on legal careers using the print resources at the Office of Career Services as well as the links on the OCS website.
- Consider interning with a law firm or law-related organization to gain exposure to the field and to experience the work environment.
- Talk to people who are trained as lawyers to learn about the legal profession. Contact people you know or use the Crimson Compass Alumni Network, accessible through the OCS webpage (Crimson Compass is an online resource that puts you in touch with Harvard alumni and others who volunteer to provide career advice to students.)
Questions to ask
- What do lawyers do on a daily basis; what is a typical work day like?
- What personal attributes are needed to be successful in a legal career?
- What is satisfying and dissatisfying about the field of law?
- What is the work-life balance like?
- What are typical practice areas and the range of jobs you can consider with a law degree?
- Why did you decide to go to law school? Has your career developed as expected?
