Why is Law so popular? (1 Viewer)

[sweetalmond]

For all those who are studying law and for all those who plan to study or are thinking of studying law. Why is Law such a popular subject in almost all Universities?
Is it because there is some pre-conceived idea that Lawyers make money
Are there other career options with a law degree?
Is it the only secure humanities degree for doomed humanities students?
The most job secure job - there is a clear set path...?
The thing is, is that I'm doing my hsc with almost all humanities subjects and many people say i should do Law (I did mock trial). Everyone is saying that Law is one of the most secure options for people who are not particularly scientific or into business. The idea of being a lawyer does not exactly excite me though. Just wondering.

 

[astroman]

 

[OzKo]

Not really true anymore.

 

[emilios]

Good money making opportunity for humanity inclined persons.

But I'd say the biggest factor is status and image. Dropping that your a lawyer in conversation= wet panties.

 

[Futuremedstudent]

Prestige

 

[OzKo]

Law is a highly regarded degree even outside the legal circles.

It's a big advantage for graduates interested in management consulting and investment banking as well.

Naturally there should space for in-house lawyers too because you can enter into any industry.

 

[sweetalmond]

I knew a lot of people do it for the prestige, because you might make a lot of money and the not wasting their ATAR. But I thought a large number of people were genuinely interested in the law.
However Law is not considered as prestigious in other countries. I know people in France and they say those who do law are those who couldn't make it anywhere else and had nothing else to do. I know in India also, Law is not at all prestigious. Engineering, medicine, commerce these are the prestigious agrees to them.

 

[OzKo]

I knew a lot of people do it for the prestige, because you might make a lot of money and the not wasting their ATAR. But I thought a large number of people were genuinely interested in the law.
However Law is not considered as prestigious in other countries. I know people in France and they say those who do law are those who couldn't make it anywhere else and had nothing else to do. I know in India also, Law is not at all prestigious. Engineering, medicine, commerce these are the prestigious agrees to them.

Yeah, that tended to be the attitude a few decades ago as well.

Law has definitely gone through a boom over the past 10-15 years and I don't see it abating.

 

[enoilgam]

Having studied Law for a while, I definitely see it as being a prestige degree because I found it extremely difficult. Commerce wasnt even in the same league to be honest.

 

[RishBonjour99]

For all those who are studying law and for all those who plan to study or are thinking of studying law. Why is Law such a popular subject in almost all Universities?
Is it because there is some pre-conceived idea that Lawyers make money
Are there other career options with a law degree?
Is it the only secure humanities degree for doomed humanities students?
The most job secure job - there is a clear set path...?
The thing is, is that I'm doing my hsc with almost all humanities subjects and many people say i should do Law (I did mock trial). Everyone is saying that Law is one of the most secure options for people who are not particularly scientific or into business. The idea of being a lawyer does not exactly excite me though. Just wondering.

Lol if you think your hsc humanities bs will help you with law think again. Most of the people doing well are law/science or people very solid in maths/intelligent. Rote learning gives you 0 output for law.

 

[RishBonjour99]

I knew a lot of people do it for the prestige, because you might make a lot of money and the not wasting their ATAR. But I thought a large number of people were genuinely interested in the law.
However Law is not considered as prestigious in other countries. I know people in France and they say those who do law are those who couldn't make it anywhere else and had nothing else to do. I know in India also, Law is not at all prestigious. Engineering, medicine, commerce these are the prestigious agrees to them.

This is true. Law is prestigious in western countries because you actually have some trust in law and the authorities. In India, the police can do what they want, no lawyer/law has the power to save u m8. So culturally and historically law isn't as integral to their life. Also they think lawyers are liars.

Engineering is dead and commerce was NEVER prestigious. Medicine is the only prestigious one - unless it's at some shitty university then no one cares.

 

[BLIT2014]

Prestige (and money to a lesser extent)

 

[wannaspoon]

I started doing it because words like "bona fide" sounded deceptively sexual... big mistake...

 

[enoilgam]

I started doing it because words like "bona fide" sounded deceptively sexual... big mistake...

You will find my bona fides are quite lengthy.

 

[neo o]

This forum feels like an uphill battle sometimes.

- A straight law degree might let you swing into a public service job, or into some kind of administrative job. These are non-practicing roles, and once you're in them, you'll find it very difficult to transition into a legal career. As an additional side bonus, just because you have a law degree, people's expectations of you will not be commensurate with the salary you receive.
- Jobs in law are not secure. The market is very tight because there are so many graduates, conditions are poor, wages are low outside of the top tier firms. Starting a law degree with the expectation that you'll walk into a job that less than 5% of graduates will get is naive. Disregard anyone's opinion who isn't actually a lawyer, what would they know? If you know anyone who is in their 20's or 30's who is working in a law firm (even as a paralegal) ask them.
- You need to sacrifice two additional years to study law i.e. two years of salary if you did a three year degree. The course costs are higher than any other degree, which should be of particular concern given the proposed changes to the university fee structure and at the end of it, if you don't get a graduate job with a larger firm, you'll have to pay about $6,000 to do a 6 month long practical legal education course. The degree is EXPENSIVE.

If you aren't desperate to be a lawyer, don't do a law degree.

 

[neo o]

This is true. Law is prestigious in western countries because you actually have some trust in law and the authorities. In India, the police can do what they want, no lawyer/law has the power to save u m8. So culturally and historically law isn't as integral to their life. Also they think lawyers are liars.

Engineering is dead and commerce was NEVER prestigious. Medicine is the only prestigious one - unless it's at some shitty university then no one cares.

The difference is because of the civil/common law split. Lawyers have a different role in civil law countries which, depending on the field, is usually less intellectually demanding.

 

[Queenroot]

 

[RivalryofTroll]

Having studied Law for a while, I definitely see it as being a prestige degree because I found it extremely difficult. Commerce wasnt even in the same league to be honest.

You should hear what Crobat told me (irl) the other day about Commerce/Business vs Law when I saw + talked to him at university.

Lol if you think your hsc humanities bs will help you with law think again. Most of the people doing well are law/science or people very solid in maths/intelligent. Rote learning gives you 0 output for law.

Well, as Crobat has said before ''Commerce or Business students tend to make the worst law students'' - I think it's because Commerce doesn't really test your 'critical thinking skills' or 'analytical skills' as much as other degrees (however, I can imagine a HR major being good in that department, as opposed to Accounting or Finance). But yes, science students. Engineering students with their 'analytical skills' can probably fare well too.

Don't need to be solid in science or mathematics. Quoting Crobat, 'communications students' (arts) students tend to be good law students as well. As much as people bag out Arts/Communications, I think it probably helps you to think as a 'law student' more so than a Commerce/Business degree. However, it all depends on the student in the end.

I'm only 1st year but I'm MUCH MORE comfortable with the Business (Commerce) side of my combined Business/Law degree (maybe cause I like business better as well and business is typically feels 'easier'). Not saying I hate law because I've had some interest even before beginning and I'm definitely liking it more day by day (Business still has an edge though) after pursuing extracurricular competitions such as Mooting and Negotiation. Hope I can practise law one day

This is true. Law is prestigious in western countries because you actually have some trust in law and the authorities. In India, the police can do what they want, no lawyer/law has the power to save u m8. So culturally and historically law isn't as integral to their life. Also they think lawyers are liars.

Engineering is dead and commerce was NEVER prestigious. Medicine is the only prestigious one - unless it's at some shitty university then no one cares.

Medicine is very much respectable (at any university) in my honest opinion.

tbh, if you're not inspired/awed by Harvey Specter's awesomeness or Mike Ross' memory... I feel sorry for you

 

[RivalryofTroll]

If you aren't desperate to be a lawyer, don't do a law degree.

I would agree and disagree with this statement

I agree with opportunity cost and so on but a law degree CAN take you far and help in other fields too. Even small benefits such as the ability to think like a lawyer (critically) is a huge help in the long term.

On a random note...

Also, sorry if this is off-topic and not about law's popularity but...

Law school is awesome (coming from a 1st year student who isn't consistent with their readings... I can't imagine 2nd year, isn't that great with law academically and probably likes Business/Commerce better )

The law society at any university is probably the most or 2nd most awesome faculty society (some people would argue the Business Society but yeah...)

And the competitions... Mooting, Negotiation, Witness Examination, Client Interviewing, etc.

Even if you don't like the law researching needed by Mooting, competitions such as Negotiation (where you don't rely on the law and it's less preparation - more so, thinking on the spot) are also good fun.

Some crap things about law school would probably be the amount of readings (especially when you compare it to Commerce/Business) and at some universities, people can be VERY COMPETITIVE (and the people who are full of themselves).

Otherwise, I'm glad I chose to do a combined Business (Commerce)/Law degree over Commerce/Engineering or Commerce/Actuarial Studies

 

[wannaspoon]

This forum feels like an uphill battle sometimes.

that was pretty immature of me, pardon me...

If you think it is going to be like suits, you're going to have a bad time... one of the main characters isn't even a law graduate...