Some changes are, however, in the offing. In these cases, salaries may be modest, but hard working solo practitioners can still be successful. Other lawyers forgo the billable hours routine and the solo route and seek employment with government or business. In government lawyers are needed for the prosecutor's office, city attorney's office, legislative staffs, the FBI, and the like. Other lawyers find careers in banking, in businesses which choose to maintain their own in-house counsel, and in teaching.
Many lawyers work in a variety of positions in which law training is needed and helpful.
That's a tough question. Clearly the legal profession does not enjoy the respect it once did, and most have heard the claim that we have far more lawyers in our country than we need. Lawyers are often accused of manipulating the law, gouging clients and of chasing after the almighty dollar rather than practicing the high ideals of the legal calling. It is also the case that many lawyers become discouraged after a time and seek other careers. Students sometimes overlook the fact that lawyers deal with conflicts and that personal fulfillment is not always the result of working hard with disputing parties.