How long does it take to earn a decent amount as a lawyer? -

I want to be a lawyer when I am older, but I was wondering how long it takes before they start earning big money, like 50,000+? Thanks

It depends on where you get your education and where you practice law and what type of law. I worked in the legal field (not as a lawyer) for 20+ years. As of 2001, new associates at our firm (those fresh out of law school) were receiving starting salaries between $90-110,000.

$50K isn t big money, by the way. Articles (law graduates working a year before writing bar exam) sometimes pay six figures depending where you are and what area of the law you practise. Depends. Criminal attys get paid least, generally. Corporate and tax most. Civil lit lots but sporadically. Depends where you are and where you went to school, how old you were when you graduated (be young!) and how well you did. Everyone in America seems to graduate in the top 10 of their law class, too, it seems, or that s the story they tell. Luck, of course, counts, too.

As indicated above if you go to a larger firm right out of school you will be over $100k fast You will need to be at the top of your class so work hard