Law and Legal Practice

If you're thinking about studying the law degree but have doubts about what your professional future would hold, here we give you a good overview to clarify the picture for you.

What is Law and what does a graduate of this degree do?

Studying Law opens up a wide range of professional opportunities. Graduates can work in private practice, as well as in legal roles within the public and private sectors. They can also devote themselves to legal research, university teaching, or take on administrative positions in various institutions.

Many lawyers join the business and industrial, working in areas related to Law such as contracts, intellectual property, real estate, urban planning regulation and taxation. Others opt for public service, working as legal advisors or legal representatives in municipal, provincial or national agencies. Likewise, there are those who apply their legal knowledge in sectors such as banking, insurance, finance, social work and even in law libraries.

The lawyer's field of work is extremely broad and diverse, with multiple branches that require specific skills and knowledge. As they gain experience, legal professionals can steer their career toward the specialty that best aligns with their interests. Among the main areas of practice are Civil Law, Criminal Law and Tax Law.

Law is one of the oldest careers, with origins dating back to the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome. It was in that context that the foundations of the national State and of the legal system that still structures and regulates Western societies today emerged.

Law is a humanistic discipline that encompasses several branches of knowledge:

History, sociology, economics, ethics, philosophy; all always focused on in-depth knowledge of a country's laws and the set of rules that build a national State.

A lawyer is a legal professional and can practice the career in many ways. A lawyer is a person who has been authorized by law to give legal advice and provide legal defense to their clients.

The graduates of the Law degree can practice as public defenders or litigators. Some dedicate themselves to teaching and everything related to education, in various educational and research institutions. Others practice their career and their specialty within national and international organizations, such as the ONU, la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos o el Banco Mundial.

They can work as legal consultants or advisors in public institutions or in companies. Lawyers can also practice as judges and magistrates and also hold executive positions in public secretariats or in private companies and institutions.

The job field for lawyers is very extensive and graduates have many options to choose from according to their interests. As they progress in the degree, future lawyers acquire the knowledge necessary to be able to choose, upon graduation, the type of practice they want to pursue. What is certain is that their work is always relevant and their job opportunities never run out.

What are the advantages of studying the Law degree?

• Extensive job opportunities: Lawyers are highly valued in any industry and can work in a variety of fields, such as corporate, criminal and immigration law, among others.
• High salaries: Lawyers have one of the highest salaries among professional careers, which allows them to have a comfortable and stable lifestyle.
• Opportunity to help people: Lawyers have the opportunity to help people solve legal problems and protect their rights.
• Intellectual challenge: Studying law is challenging and enriching, which allows lawyers to develop critical and analytical skills.
• Prestige: The Law degree has great prestige and is considered a noble career.

What are the disadvantages of studying the Law degree?

• Prolonged study: The process of studying law is long and requires great commitment and dedication.
• Stressful: The law degree can be stressful, especially when dealing with important legal cases of great responsibility.
• Competition: The law degree is highly competitive, which can make it difficult to find work at first.
• Responsibility: Lawyers have great responsibility, both legal and ethical, which can create a lot of pressure.
• Cost: Studying law can be costly, both in monetary terms and in terms of time.

How much does a lawyer earn?

Argentina: The average salary of a lawyer in Argentina is around: Average monthly base salary: $766.602 Argentine pesos.​ Estimated total monthly compensation (including bonuses and other compensation): $856.789 Argentine pesos. Source Glassdoor . 

Brazil:  Average monthly salary in the private sector: 8.360 Brazilian reais.​ Average monthly salary in the public sector: 8.880 Brazilian reais.​ Average monthly salary in cities like Brasília: 19.100 Brazilian reais.

Mexico: Average salary per hour: According to the Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI), lawyers earn, on average, around 73 Mexican pesos per hour worked. Source: INEGI

It is important to note that these salaries can vary considerably depending on factors such as experience, specialization, region and type of employer.

Which branch of law is the best paid?

In general, the branch of law that usually has the highest salaries is business or corporate law, especially in the field of business and investment. Lawyers specialized in this field can work for large corporations, banks, investment funds and other financial entities, and can earn very high salaries due to the complexity and importance of the cases and work they handle.

Other branches of law can also have high salaries, such as tax law, intellectual property law, labor law and banking law. 

How long does a lawyer work?

The work schedule of a lawyer can vary significantly depending on the specific field they work in, the company or institution they work for, and their level of experience and responsibility.

In general, lawyers can work long and grueling hours, especially when deadlines are approaching or they have a large number of ongoing cases or projects. It is common for lawyers to work between 40 and 60 hours a week, although some may work more. Senior lawyers or those who work at large law firms may work more hours, and young or recent graduate lawyers may work more hours due to the need to gain experience and build their career.

However, it is also important to mention that some lawyers may have more flexible schedules, especially if they work as independent lawyers or at small firms. In addition, some lawyers may work from home or have flexible workdays, which allows them to better balance their work and personal life.

What is a lawyer's lifestyle like?

A lawyer's lifestyle can vary significantly depending on the specific field they work in, the company or institution, and their level of experience and responsibility. However, there are some general characteristics that can be mentioned:

Work hours: As I mentioned earlier, lawyers can work long and grueling hours, especially when deadlines are approaching or they have a large number of ongoing cases or projects.

Pressure: The legal career can be stressful, especially when it comes to important and highly responsible legal cases. Lawyers must be prepared to handle pressure and make important decisions in high-pressure situations.

Responsibility: Lawyers have great legal and ethical responsibility, which can create a great deal of pressure.

High salaries: Lawyers have one of the highest salaries among professional careers, which allows them to have a comfortable and stable lifestyle.

Travel opportunities: Some lawyers may have the opportunity to travel, especially if they work at multinational companies or on international cases.

Opportunity to help people: Lawyers have the opportunity to help people solve legal problems and protect their rights.

Intellectual challenge: The study of law is challenging and enriching, which allows lawyers to develop critical and analytical skills.

The lifestyle of a lawyer can be stressful due to working hours and pressure, but it can also be rewarding and well-paid. It depends on each individual's personal preferences and professional goals.

How to know if you like the law degree?

There are several ways to know if you like the law degree:

Research: Learn more about the law degree, research the different branches of law, the requirements to become a lawyer, the training process and the challenges and responsibilities of the job.

Observe: Try to talk to practicing lawyers, attend trials, visit law firms, and try to get an idea of how a lawyer performs.

Do internships: If you have the opportunity, look for internships at a law firm or in a court, this will help you gain a better understanding of a lawyer's daily work and will help you know whether or not you like the degree.

Skills: Reflect on your skills and interests, law requires communication, analysis and problem-solving skills, teamwork, and the ability to handle high-pressure situations. If you like researching, analyzing and arguing, you will likely enjoy law.

Passion: Law can be challenging, but it can also be very rewarding and well-paid. If you feel drawn to the idea of helping people solve legal problems and protect their rights, you likely feel passionate about this degree.

Ultimately, the decision of whether law is the right degree for you will depend on your aptitudes, passions and long-term goals. It is important that you research, talk to professionals in the field and evaluate your own aspirations before fully committing to this professional path.