Is it really that hard for law school graduates to find work?

Someone recently told me that if I don't go to a top tier law school, it will be nearly impossible for me to find a good job. I find that hard to believe simply because most law schools boast a 93%+ employment rate for their graduates and there always seems to be a demand for legal-based jobs in America. Can someone please put my nerves to rest and explain to me if this is true and, if so, is law school really worth it?

Is it really that hard for law school graduates to find work?
the issue for many law grads is not finding work it is the pay.


93% placement means NOTHING, what is important is where and with whom the placement is.


school is expensive and the average attorney does not make that much in relation to all the other graduate professions.


this makes paying for school hard to justify for many.





Median salaries of lawyers 9 months after graduation, 2005 Type of work:


All graduates


$60,000


Private practice


$85,000


Business


$60,000


Government


$46,158


Academic/judicial clerk ships


$45,000





In May 2006, the median annual earnings of ALL(experienced and inexperienced) wage-and-salaried lawyers were $102,470. The middle half of the occupation earned between $69,910 and $145,600. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of lawyers in May 2006 were:





Management of companies and enterprises $128,610


Federal Government $119,240


Legal services $108,100


Local government $78,810


State government 75,840





Salaries of experienced attorneys vary widely according to the type, size, and location of their employer. Lawyers who own their own practices usually earn less than those who are partners in law firms. Lawyers starting their own practice may need to work part time in other occupations to supplement their income until their practice is well established.





the prospects for growth in the field is for growth to be a little slower then job growth as a whole and the competition for jobs is expected to be extremely keen.





EDIT:


Shane has given you some excellent examples...............


so think about what you have heard, read and what you really want to get out of school then proceed on.
Reply:Obviously not doing your research well enough. Fact. The field of law is extremely saturated and for years advisors have been saying to find another field of work. An other career path. It is very true. If you do not graduate from a top tier school at the top of your class and hopefully with some connections you will have a very hard time finding work. Story of 3 of my sisters friends (she's an attorney but finally started her own practice after having difficulty finding work.)





1 - Judy just found a job after graduating almost 2 years ago with a not for profit organization in White Plains, NY. Her starting salary is 45K a year. Her debt. Well, will take her forever to pay off. She graduated from CUNY School of Law.





2 - Bill. Lost his job 6 years ago and still has not been able to find work that would even come close to paying him what he use to earn. He graduated from Brooklyn Law School.





3 - Lisa. Quit her job in November of last year after being abused by the senior attorneys. She is still searching for work. She graduated from Touro law school.
Reply:It really depends on where you live. In Washington DC, they're always looking for lawyers. Here in the Detroit area (because the economy is on its can), there are very few lawyer positions available. While it's true that the graduates from the top-tier law schools get recruited for some of the "best" jobs, that doesn't mean that anyone who goes to a "second-rate" law school can't get a job. It shouldn't be a problem for you to find a job or get placed by your law school, but you may have to move. So just bear in mind you may not get the job you want in the city you want...
Reply:It truly helps your legal career if you attend a major top tier law school and graduate within the top 2% of your class. Failing that course, you will often end up with a civil service job or some legal store front where the entry legal pay is around $35,000 to $40,000 or as a sole practitioner chasing after personal injury clients.





There are better 7-year options which require a mere 2-years of formal education:





1. Aircraft Flight Engineers - starting salary of $45,000;


2. Paralegals with I.P. or immigration background - starting salary of $50,000.





Good luck!
Reply:Hey man Im in the same predigament as you.....I have been planning on becoming a lawyer for about 6 months (I was 16). Last night my parents really told me to find a major. Thus, I searched the Internet adn called a few people. Unfortuanely, I got the same answer. This being that you either make it big or not. You do need a good law school though, but not only Ivy schools. My cousins who are lawyers said to be a sort of special lawyer. Not just a normal paralegal but like an environmental lawyer. IF you really want a guaranteed job you should become a medical lawyer. However, this is alot of work, considering you must become a full doctor and a full lawyer. It is a person that is a doctor and a lawyer. Alot of schooling, but too be honest you will make a fortune. Im deciding whether or not to do that. What do you think? I need answeres too lol