Debunking A Few Common Lawyer Myths

There are numerous myths about lawyers; some of them portray lawyers positively, but many others create a damaging negative image.

Here are a few of these myths, debunked.

Every lawyer is wealthy and lives the high life

A positive but inaccurate myth about attorneys is that they are all rich. This is not true. Only a handful of attorneys are very wealthy. While many attorneys may make a comfortable living, only a few can be described as being really rich.

The median income of attorneys in the USA is about $100,000. The low end of a lawyer’s salary can be in the $50,000 range, while it can be in the $200,000 range and above for a well-compensated attorney. The income of an attorney will also vary based upon their specialty and location. Now that you know better, don’t assume that every lawyer is rich and living a high life.

Hiring a lawyer is very expensive

Another common myth that people have about lawyers is that they cost a lot of money. It is true that there are some expensive lawyers out there, but there are many lawyers that will take a case upfront for no money. Instead, they will take a commission from the settlement or award if they win your case. Some attorneys may even offer a sliding scale of fees and rates depending on their client’s income. So, don’t assume that every lawyer will cost you an exorbitant amount of money.

Lawyers need to be argumentative to be effective at their job

Many people think that a lawyer must be argumentative to be successful. While being argumentative is useful during a criminal defense trial, civil dispute, or divorce, there are times where being confrontational is not the best trait to have for a lawyer. Lawyers who work in bankruptcy, estate planning, and corporate governance are better at being collaborative than argumentative. So if you see a lawyer that is not argumentative, don’t write them off. They can still be highly successful and effective at their job.

A great lawyer will win any case you bring them

Another myth that people hold is that a great attorney can win any case you bring them. This is not true, no matter how good and respected the attorney is. An attorney can’t take on or win every case because sometimes there will be cases where the evidence is lacking or where the actions did not violate specific statutes that can be tried in court. So don’t assume that a good lawyer will win any case you bring before them.

Originally published on JeffreyFRyan.com.