Is it too stressful to be a lawyer?

Asked by: Durward Lebsack II  |  Last update: January 24, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (7 votes)

While lawyers might benefit from having an elite reputation and plenty of cash in the bank, it can also be incredibly stressful. Many attorneys grapple with long hours, difficult clients, and ever-increasing demands daily.

How stressful is it to be a lawyer?

Lawyers are among some of the most stressful occupations, according to a recent analysis made by the Washington Post, which used data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The study found that “a white collar [job] appears to come with significantly more stress than a blue one.”

Are lawyers constantly stressed?

Almost 90% of the 1,247 U.S. lawyers who responded to the Lawyer Satisfaction Survey said they experienced stress at least some of the time, with 38% saying they experienced stress chronically.

What is the hardest thing about being a lawyer?

The hardest part of being a lawyer can vary depending on individual experiences, but common challenges include handling high-pressure situations, managing heavy workloads, navigating complex legal issues, and maintaining a work-life balance.

Are lawyers more stressed than doctors?

Listokin and Noonan compared Kessler 6 scores from lawyers and medical professionals (medical doctors, veterinarians, and dentists) and concluded that lawyers did endorse slightly higher distress scores than doctors, yet they found no statistically significant difference in the rates of mental illness between the two ...

Why Are Lawyers More Likely to Become Depressed?

20 related questions found

What percentage of lawyers have anxiety?

Almost 77% of lawyers under ages 25 to 34 have anxiety, that cohort reported, while anxiety rates fell to 63% for lawyers ages 55 to 64 and to 40% for lawyers over 65.

Is doctor or lawyer easier?

In short, medical school is hands-on and requires a lot of memorization. Law school requires analytical work and critical thinking. Law school requires heavy reading and writing while medical school requires learning about problems through clinical studies and hands-on training.

Which area of law is least stressful?

Real estate law, estate planning law, and intellectual property law are commonly cited as the least stressful types of law to practice.

How many hours do lawyers work?

Most lawyers work full-time, and some regularly exceed the standard 40-hour workweek. The size of their practice significantly impacts how many hours lawyers typically work each week. For example: Lawyers at small- and medium-sized firms work an average of 42-54 hours per week.

What is a lawyer's weakness?

Lawyers are Often Overworked and Stressed

One of the biggest weaknesses of lawyers is that they often work long hours and deal with a lot of stress. This can lead to burnout and make it difficult to provide high-quality legal services.

How many people quit being a lawyer?

Before the pandemic, the average associate attrition rate at Am Law 100 firms was reported at 16%. In 2021, that number had jumped to a jaw-dropping 27%. Using the previous 16% attrition rate, it was calculated that for every 20 lawyers hired, 15 would leave within six years.

What is the easiest lawyer to become?

The easiest law to practice is often considered to be estate planning. This involves helping clients prepare for the distribution of their assets upon death or incapacitation, making it relatively straightforward compared to other legal fields.

Can someone with anxiety become a lawyer?

Feeling introverted, shy, or socially anxious doesn't have to hold you back as a lawyer. Learn to understand yourself and succeed.

How hard is the bar exam?

The bar exam is hard. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever embark on. You must memorize numerous laws and consume a lot of knowledge to answer questions correctly. For many, it feels like trying to hold sand in your hands, knowing that you'll inevitably lose much of it.

Is being a lawyer mentally draining?

Attorneys don't need to be told that they work in a high-stress environment and are prone to burning out. Lawyers are subject to significant emotional burden, with international research highlighting their susceptibility to psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, addiction, and — shockingly — even suicide.

What is the most stressful job?

Here are some examples of the most stressful career options:
  • Physician. National average salary: $272,872 per year Primary duties: Physicians or doctors are medical professionals who treat various diseases and injuries. ...
  • Nurse. ...
  • Soldier. ...
  • Patrol officer. ...
  • Anesthesiologist. ...
  • Chief executive officer. ...
  • Lawyer. ...
  • Police officer.

Do lawyers make 400 an hour?

Depending on their level of experience and the complexity of the case, attorneys charge between $100 and $400 per hour.

How much do top 1% lawyers make?

— How do we know how much do lawyers make? Well, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for attorneys in the US is just over $125,000. The highest-paid lawyers (10% of the legal workforce) make over $208,000 However, the top 1% of attorneys make $500,000 or more per year.

Do lawyers work 9 to 5?

The vast majority of law firms have similar client-facing hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., give or take 30 to 60 minutes on either end.

What is the hardest state to become a lawyer?

California is widely considered to have the hardest bar exam, due to its low pass rate and the difficulty of the content and constraints of the exam.

Which law is highest in demand?

Some of the most popular law specializations in India are – Civil Law, Criminal Law , Corporate Law , Cyber Law and Intellectual Property Law .

Which year of law is the hardest?

Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult.

Is law harder than med school?

Each path demands extensive education and a commitment to rigorous training before becoming a qualified professional. Although both law and medical schools present their unique challenges, it's generally accepted that medical school demands a higher level of intense coursework and thorough training.

What is the most difficult doctor to be?

What is the most difficult type of doctor specialty? Neurosurgery is known to be particularly challenging because of the intricate nature of the nervous system and the significant risks involved in surgical procedures.

Is law school hard to get into?

Getting into law school is tough, but not insurmountable. As long as you have the minimum requirements to get in, your dream of getting your Juris Doctor degree and becoming a lawyer is achievable. Law schools generally require that you have specified minimum collegiate GPA and LSAT scores to qualify for admission.