10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Lawyers: Lawyers are famous for their ability to make use of technical language and jargon, which can make them seem intimidating to non-lawyers. However, being a lawyer doesn’t have to be all that complicated, especially if you know what you’re doing and are as smart as you need to be to do it well. For example, did you know that the word lawyer comes from an old English word meaning speaker? It was first used in Middle English to refer to someone who knew the law, back when the law was fairly new itself!
1) The word lawyer comes from Latin, meaning letter because lawyers used to write official letters on behalf of their clients
Every day, a new business is started with a lawyer playing an important role. Because starting a business can be expensive and time-consuming, many entrepreneurs get help from lawyers to negotiate contracts, draft legal documents and incorporate their businesses. The benefits of having a lawyer on your side are immense: Your chances of getting into financial trouble are lower if you have someone looking out for your best interests. Lawyers also help when you’re already in over your head financially; most offer flat fees or contingency rates (you only pay if they win). A good lawyer should be able to save you money as well as make sure you aren’t jeopardizing your assets by entering into bad deals or contracts.
2) They can be paid either by the hour or get paid a flat fee
In any business, it’s important to know how you’ll be paid for your work. There are two common ways that lawyers are compensated. First, they get paid an hourly rate. This means that as long as they work a certain number of hours and bill their time properly, they get to keep everything over and above that amount in fees.
3) Lawyers have lots of rules they must follow – more than most other professionals
After graduating from law school, a lawyer will most likely be admitted to one of the state’s bar associations. All state bar associations have guidelines that dictate what a lawyer can and cannot do. An example of prohibited activity is giving legal advice to someone unless they pay you first. A case can be brought against you if you don’t follow these rules; in fact, being put on probation or even disbarred is possible.
4) The job of a lawyer can be stressful, with long hours and high levels of responsibility
staying on top of constantly changing rules and regulations, thinking on your feet in a stressful courtroom situation, and writing legal briefs can be incredibly taxing. There is also no guaranteed income: many lawyers earn fees only when they win cases for their clients. With all these stressors, it’s no wonder that many lawyers end up practicing what psychologists call maladaptive coping strategies to help cope with stress and anxiety. Here are some common maladaptive strategies used by attorneys
5) However, lawyers are some of the smartest people around
Did you know that over 80% of students who are accepted to law school have at least a 3.5 GPA? There is only about a 20-point difference between lawyers and doctors when it comes to their average LSAT scores! The highest-scoring test taker in 2010 had an LSAT score of 173 (out of 180), which was exactly 10 points higher than that year’s highest-scoring medical student! On top of all that, law schools graduate almost 90% of their students who complete three years in law school (compared to 70% for medical school). A person’s intelligence plays a key role in determining if they would be successful as a lawyer or not.
6) They are respected for their problem-solving skills, critical thinking abilities, curiosity, and creativity
Lawyers use these skills and others to come up with solutions to challenges in their personal or business life. If you are involved in a situation that requires someone with legal experience, you want a lawyer who uses creative problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, research, and attention to detail to resolve disputes without unnecessary conflict. Because of their analytical mindset, lawyers are also especially qualified for many other careers. They’ve been known to start companies (such as Apple co-founder Steve Jobs), win awards as athletes (soccer star Mia Hamm), and launch nonprofit organizations (such as U2 singer Bono). In short, they’re much more than just lawyers!
7) Some famous historical figures were lawyers, including Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Frederick Douglass, and Harriet Tubman
Though we may think of lawyers as a modern phenomenon, there have been people filling that role for centuries. Some historians believe Moses was a lawyer; he was tasked with interpreting God’s law and helped establish a legal system for his people to live under. Other famous historical figures who were lawyers include Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Frederick Douglass, and Harriet Tubman. All but one served primarily in administrative or advisory roles (though Tubman did help slaves escape); in fact, many modern-day lawyers get their start as non-lawyers working in government agencies or public interest organizations like hospitals and schools. Though our typical image of a lawyer comes from TV shows like L.A.
8) Most modern lawyers specialize in one particular area of law
there are general practice lawyers, family law lawyers, tax lawyers, criminal defense attorneys, employment lawyers, bankruptcy specialists, and so on. The generalist lawyer who can handle a little bit of everything is largely extinct outside of old-fashioned TV dramas. Although most U.S. states require their lawyers to have a license to practice (which they obtain by graduating from an accredited law school and passing a state bar exam), all states recognize licenses issued by other states. Therefore, if you move to another state and get admitted to that state’s bar association—assuming you meet that state’s character and fitness requirements—you’ll be entitled to practice as if you had been admitted by that state’s bar association when you were still living in your original home jurisdiction.
9) There are different kinds of lawyers you can work with depending on your situation – from personal injury lawyers to family lawyers
A personal injury lawyer will help you to receive compensation if you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault. If a company has breached its contract with you, for example by providing poor service or delivering a product that does not work as it should, then you could be entitled to compensation for any losses you have suffered as a result. And finally, a family lawyer is there to help you with legal matters concerning your family. For example, if there are disputes over custody of children and if they need financial support from parents or grandparents while they are young then a family lawyer can help with all these situations.
10) If you ever need a lawyer’s help you should take advice from family or friends about which lawyer is best for your situation
It’s a good idea to ask friends or family members if they can recommend a lawyer. You will find that certain lawyers are more skilled in particular areas of law. Also, if you already know someone who has used a lawyer in your situation it is always a safe bet to use them as well because they usually offer great results and make sure you don’t get scammed by other lawyers trying to take advantage of them your ignorance of how the law works. Try to keep a list of names and numbers with you at all times so if you ever need help again, you can quickly call someone you trust for advice.
