Last Updated on August 13, 2024
Many kids grow up thinking that they want to be lawyers when they grow up – and why wouldn’t they? After all, as a lawyer, you represent people and help them achieve their justice. With that in mind, lawyers are also among the most hardworking people out there.
Some people would say that lawyers and doctors have a lot in common: working hard to pass their bar/residency exam, and then dedicating their lives to represent their client/patient. Still, what does the day of an average lawyer look like? Well, it varies from lawyer to lawyer – but overall, here is what most lawyers have to deal with:
Starting the Day
In terms of activities, lawyers will take on different tasks. For instance, a Springfield probate lawyer may have different representative tasks as compared to a Washington personal injury or criminal defense lawyer. With that in mind, the one thing that all of them have in common is that most of them begin their work early.
In most cases, lawyers are the first people to get into the office. That’s because usually, they feel more productive when there’s no one to bother them. They review their cases, check their to-do list for the day, and get ready for any potential hearings. Since lawyers also have a lot of documents to handle, they use the quiet time of the morning to ensure that everything is in order.
Business Hours of a Lawyer
Lawyers can have different activities during the day. Some may spend the whole day in an office, doing paper and answering phone calls. In other cases, they might also be outside, doing research on their current cases or representing their clients in the courtroom.
For instance, unlike probate lawyers who collect most of their documents by fax, mail, or email in their office, a personal injury lawyer may have to visit the scene of the accident and make an assessment. That being said, as a probate lawyer, you might also have to occasionally go on the field and collect the proof and paperwork for the estate beneficiaries.
Business hours always keep you on your toes – and the higher your reputation, the more work you will have to do. Lawyers continuously have to gather evidence, interpret the law and advise clients as to what they should and shouldn’t do. In the rare free moments when a lawyer does not have any immediate tasks, they use that opportunity to continue their education.
After Working Hours
Lawyers don’t stop being lawyers after business hours end. Many of them will use the quiet hours of the evening to finish up some tasks, such as doing paperwork or answering some emails. Due to their deadlines, they might not be able to put it off until the next day – not if they want to submit everything on time.
The Bottom Line: Is It Worth It?
The life of a lawyer is quite busy, and if you want to become one yourself, you’ll always be under continuous stress. With that in mind, when asked if it’s worth it, many lawyers say that it is. The knowledge that your involvement may have just changed/saved your client’s life makes it worth the long hour.
