how much does the avg lawyer make?

[chrispalen]

As has been mentioned several times the above is inaccurate.

It depends on what type law one is practicing and where one is practicing it. Some lawyers choose to work for non legal firms as either house counsel or in jobs where a law degree is a great help, but not essential generally making perfectly good incomes. Others want to work in small towns or cities, does a lawyer in a firm with but one partner or perhaps a small firm with six lawyers in Timmins or Brockville or Rutland, Vermont make as much as a Partner in a major "silk stocking" firm in Toronto or Boston, certain not - but then again for a substantial number of lawyers money isn't everything.

Take a look at some of the past shows of StrictlyLegal@ BNN.ca

http://www.bnn.ca/strictlylegal.aspx

Very good program and sheds some lights on the profession.

A lot of lawyers, once graduated and making the big bucks tend to forget about their duties and the "special calling" of the profession. For those that don;t consider money as everything and go into areas of law that help others, they deserve to be applauded. For those that broke the law, and stole money from their clients' trust funds etc etc, they deserve longer sentences. I wonder how many lawyers are behind bars for breaking the law. Probably as high as the number of Harvard Business School grads that were CEO's who broke the securities law and ended up in jail.

CP

 

[Aardvark154]

When my dad passed away, his lawyer (a boyhood friend) was basically useless. . . .This guy was about as sharp as a bowling ball.

Found another lawyer in Burlington that my sister knew who was a great guy.
Smart, very funny guy. On the ball - tuns out we didn't need to go to probate court at all (other old geezer was wrong), didn't have to do a few other things as well. . . .Fees were very very reasonable. I recommend this guy in a heart beat for anyone anytime.

Captain, your story merely confirms the fact that there are pleasant and unpleasant lawyers, competent and less than competent lawyers. Same as with Physicians or Engineers or indeed Naval Officers.

 

[21pro]

...I wish someone would give me an opportunity to validate your premise.

I know what it is like to make 200K a year. It feels like I wish I made 500k...LOL

for me, i just pay more taxes... but, I come from a poor conservative upbringing so I try not to live beyond the means of the common layperson... albeit hobbying aside of course!

 

[Aardvark154]

A lot of lawyers, once graduated and making the big bucks tend to forget about their duties and the "special calling" of the profession. For those that don't consider money as everything and go into areas of law that help others, they deserve to be applauded. For those that broke the law, and stole money from their clients' trust funds etc etc, they deserve longer sentences. I wonder how many lawyers are behind bars for breaking the law. Probably as high as the number of Harvard Business School grads that were CEO's who broke the securities law and ended up in jail.

Going into public interest law and selling your soul to a Bloor Street Firm are not the only alternatives, there is plenty of room in the middle in most areas of the law.

Unethical lawyers are indeed a problem and disgrace to the profession, indeed Law Schools are now mandated to have a course in professional ethics. Lawyers have been jailed for illegal behaviour and many more have been disbarred losing their livelihood for years if not for life for unethical behaviour.

 

[happy the man]

Amazing!!!!

This is amazing. The thread only appeared today and we have had over 65 responses. It only shows how explosive this topic is to...most people! Lawyers have touched everyone's life in a not so appreciative way mostly. That is, unless you're a lawyer or you're close to one in some manner.

We should also remember that, in our "democratic" society, lawyers and judges are the so called guardians of our civilization. With very few exceptions, we haven't ravaged the countryside with blood and horror...yet! Some of this is BECAUSE this system of justice in place is working, and we generally tolerate the part where the guardians benefit more than those that keep it going. Lawyers will generallyl milk it for every cent...within reason of course.

Still, we need to rally together every once in a while to put fear in their hearts, just to try and keep them straight. Like this post.

Of course, most of our political leaders have been lawyers. That's because they know that knowing the law rules....

 

[james t kirk]

I met a woman who worked for the law society of Upper Canada in their investigation and enforcement branch.

According to her, the most corruption and fraud occurs in real estate law (of all places). Who knew.

Apparently, there are a lot of scam artist real estate lawyers who are putting the pen to fradulant real estate transactions, usually involving several mortgages, or over valuing properties, scamming people, etc.

Hmph, how bout that.

 

[The Cunning Linguist]

70 posts and no one has told a lawyer joke?

Ok...here's one to lighten the mood.

What do you call 100 lawyers at the bottom of the sea?
















A good start.....

 

[chrispalen]

70 posts and no one has told a lawyer joke?

Ok...here's one to lighten the mood.

What do you call 100 lawyers at the bottom of the sea?

A good start.....

Sharks.

CP

 

[The Cunning Linguist]

Sharks.

CP

Chris...I'm afraid you've missed the joke aspect here.

100 lawyers at the bottom of the sea would be a good start, but it would be better to have 500 or 1000 or more lawyers at the bottom of the sea.

 

[chrispalen]

Chris...I'm afraid you've missed the joke aspect here.

100 lawyers at the bottom of the sea would be a good start, but it would be better to have 500 or 1000 or more lawyers at the bottom of the sea.

Ha, ha, ha. This is a good one. Make it 2,000 then.

CP

 

[LancsLad]

Whats black and brown and looks great on a lawyer???








A doberman.





.

 

[The Cunning Linguist]

Whats black and brown and looks great on a lawyer???
A doberman.

NOW we're rollin'....keep them coming....

 

[Aardvark154]

70 posts and no one has told a lawyer joke?

Ok...here's one to lighten the mood.

What do you call 100 lawyers at the bottom of the sea?

A good start.....

Why can Lawyers safely swim in shark infested waters?

Professional Courtesy.






Learned that one on the first day.

 

[Aardvark154]

NOW we're rollin'....keep them coming....

Believe me, I've heard most of them. . . including the people who readily will say to all and sundry that lawyers are scum. But when asked about their lawyer - I don't know what I've done without them they: 1) saved me so much money, 2) got the charges against me significantly reduced, 3) kept me in business, 4) kept me out of prison. 5) got me an amazing plea deal . .etc. . . .

 

[tired old perv]

Believe me, I've heard most of them. . . including the people who readily will say to all and sundry that lawyers are scum. But when asked about their lawyer - I don't know what I've done without them they: 1) saved me so much money, 2) got the charges against me significantly reduced, 3) kept me in business, 4) kept me out of prison. 5) got me an amazing plea deal . .etc. . . .

I've never said any of those about any lawyer.

 

[Aardvark154]

I've never said any of those about any lawyer.

Too bad or perhaps very lucky you, that you've never need a good one.

 

[fuji]

Lawyers are invaluable to society.

No lay person can know the complex laws we face.

True, but it was lawyers who made the law so complex, somewhat reducing their value to society. Once upon a time legal processes were substantially simpler than today and self-representation was actually viable for a well educated individual. No more.

If you want legal representation, you need a lawyer.

Given the world the way it is today, rather than the way it should be, this is absolutely and unquestionably true.

 

[Zohan]

Doesn't matter they're all crooks. There's actually a few on here who fit that category. Pm me and I'll let you know exactly who they are.

 

[james t kirk]

NOW we're rollin'....keep them coming....

What's the difference between a dead snake in the middle of the road and a dead lawyer in the middle of the road.........















There's skid marks in front of the snake

 

[King Midas]

Not true

True, but it was lawyers who made the law so complex, somewhat reducing their value to society. Once upon a time legal processes were substantially simpler than today and self-representation was actually viable for a well educated individual. No more.



Given the world the way it is today, rather than the way it should be, this is absolutely and unquestionably true.

It's life that makes the law so complex. Consider the changes to family law after gay marriages were legalized. Fertility cases and complicated adoptions. DNA results being entered into evidence. Emancipated minor childrend. Ex-husbands demanding support.

The law is complicated because life is.