Pros and Cons of Studying Law

Choosing to study law at university is an important decision that should not be taken lightly, because like any significant life choice, delving into the world of law carries with it a range of advantages and disadvantages, each of which can greatly influence your personal and professional trajectory. By carefully weighing these factors, you can gain a clearer understanding of whether pursuing a legal education aligns with your aspirations, strengths, and circumstances.

Pros

Diverse career opportunities: A law degree offers a wide range of career possibilities. You can become a practicing attorney, specialising in areas such as criminal law, family law, corporate law, environmental law, and more. Beyond traditional legal roles, you can work in compliance, human resources, government, diplomacy, academia, and even start your own legal consulting business.

Intellectual challenge: Law involves intricate analysis, interpretation of statutes and precedents, and logical reasoning. Law school challenges you to think critically, synthesise complex information, and develop persuasive arguments – skills that can be applied in various domains.

Financial potential: Many lawyers enjoy competitive salaries, especially in fields like corporate law, intellectual property law, and high-stakes litigation. However, it's important to note that financial potential can vary based on factors like practice area, location, and years of experience.

Influence and impact: Lawyers play a significant role in shaping laws, policies, and societal norms. Through legal advocacy, you can work on cases that contribute to justice, civil rights, human rights, and important social issues.

Transferable skills: Legal education equips you with skills like thorough research, precise writing, effective communication, negotiation, problem-solving, and critical thinking. These skills are valuable not only in law-related careers but also in business, politics, and various professional settings.

Prestige: The legal profession often carries a certain level of respect and prestige in society due to its role in upholding justice and the rule of law.

Continuous learning: The law is constantly evolving due to new legislation and court decisions. Lawyers must engage in ongoing learning to stay current with legal developments, enhancing their expertise over time.

Cons

Intense workload: Law school involves reading extensive legal texts, preparing case briefs, and conducting thorough research. The volume of work can be overwhelming, leading to long hours and high stress levels.

Competitive environment: Law school is highly competitive, with students vying for top positions and prestigious opportunities. The competition can create a stressful environment that might impact mental health.

Long working hours: Many legal careers, particularly in private practice or during trial periods, involve long and irregular working hours. Balancing work demands with personal life can be challenging.

High costs: Law school tuition, textbooks, and other expenses can be substantial. Accumulating significant student debt is a common concern for law students, and it may take years to pay off.

Emotional toll: Dealing with legal cases, especially those involving distressing topics like criminal law or family disputes, can be emotionally draining for lawyers.

Lack of creativity: While some legal work involves creative thinking, much of it is rooted in precedent and adherence to established rules. This might not satisfy individuals seeking more creative outlets.

Limited job market: The availability of legal positions can vary based on geographic location, the legal field you're interested in, and market demand. Finding the right job opportunity can be competitive.

Ethical challenges: Lawyers frequently encounter ethical dilemmas, including client confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and maintaining professional integrity. Navigating these challenges can be morally complex.

Before deciding to study law, it is important to carefully weigh these pros and cons against your own interests, strengths, and goals. Conducting thorough research, seeking advice from current law students and legal professionals, and considering alternative career paths can help you make an informed decision about pursuing a legal education.
Back to blog
UOLLB SQE Turbocharge

UOLLB SQE Turbocharge

Get ready for the SQE1 with high-performance SQE Study Guides developed by UOLLB and published by UOL Press to revolutionise your study method and exam strategy.

Turbocharge SQE Performance

UOL Case Bank

Upon joining, you become a valuable UOL student and gain instant access to over 2,100 essential case summaries. UOL Case Bank is constantly expanding.
Speed up your revision with us now👇

Subscribe Now

Where are our students from?

Council of Europe
Crown Prosecution Service
Baker Mckenzie 
Yale University
University of Chicago
Columbia University
New York University
University of Michigan 
INSEAD
University of London
University College London (UCL)
London School of Economics (LSE)
King’s College London (KCL)
Royal Holloway, University of London 
Birkbeck, University of London
SOAS, University of London
University of Manchester
University of Zurich
University of York
Brandeis University
University of Exeter
University of Sheffield
Boston University
University of Washington
University of Leeds
University of Law
University of Kent
University of Hull
Queen’s University Belfast
Toronto Metropolitan University
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
University of Buckingham
ESSEC Business School

  • Criminal Practice

    Diagrams and Charts

    Our carefully designed diagrams and charts will guide you through complex legal issues.

  • Criminal Law

    Clear and Succinct Definitions

    Key concepts are concisely defined to help you understand legal topics quickly.

  • Property Law

    Statutory Provisions

    Statutory provisions are provided side by side with legal concepts to help you swiftly locate the relevant legislation.

  • Public Law

    Case Summaries

    We have summarised important cases for you so that you don't need to read long and boring cases.

  • Evidence

    Rules and Exceptions

    Rules and exceptions are clearly listed so that you know when a rule applies and when it doesn't.

  • Company Law

    Terminology

    Legal terms and key concepts are explained at the beginning of each chapter to help you learn efficiently.

  • Case Law

    Case law is provided side by side with legal concepts so that you know how legal principles and precedents were established.

  • Law Exam Guide

    Law Essay Guide

    You will learn essential law exam skills and essay writing techniques that are not taught in class.

  • Law Exam Guide

    Problem Question Guide

    We will show you how to answer problem questions step by step to achieve first-class results.

  • Conflict of Laws

    Structured Explanations

    Complex legal concepts are broken down into concise and digestible bullet point explanations.

  • Legal System and Method

    Legal Research

    You will learn legal research techniques with our study guide and become a proficient legal researcher.

  • Jurisprudence and Legal Theory

    Exam-focused

    All essential concepts, principles, and case law are included so that you can answer exam questions quickly.