What is the hardest type of law?

Asked by: Deanna Jaskolski  |  Last update: February 2, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (40 votes)

There's no single "hardest" law, as difficulty is subjective, but Criminal Law is often cited due to high emotional stakes, long hours, and dealing with life-altering consequences for clients. Other contenders for difficulty include Complex Litigation (high stakes, lengthy cases), Tax Law (extreme detail and numerical complexity), and Civil Rights Law (broad scope, intense advocacy).

What is the easiest type of law to do?

The "easiest" law to practice often points to Estate Planning, due to less courtroom drama, predictable work (wills, trusts), steady client demand (aging population), and good work-life balance with fewer late nights, though some find the topic of death difficult; Real Estate Law is also cited for its paperwork focus, contract work, and milestone closings; while transactional law fields like Corporate or IP law offer less litigation stress than, say, criminal law. 

What is the most broken law?

The 5 Most Frequently Broken Laws

  1. Underage Drinking. According to SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), about 26% of the under-21 crowd uses alcohol at least once a month. ...
  2. Littering. ...
  3. Smoking Marijuana. ...
  4. Jaywalking. ...
  5. Pirating music.

Which type of law is the most stressful?

Lawyers often report a lot of combative opposing counsel and managing very upset clients. I am convinced that one of the reasons family law is so stressful is that there is never a "winner" - both sides are going to lose resources, and usually some access to children, when a relationship ends.

What's the hardest law degree?

As you saw above, Constitutional, Tax, and Evidence Law are the most grueling courses. All three of them have different factors that add to their complexity. Also, again, it goes down to your studying skills and determination in how you tackle each one of the courses.

What Law School is Like (In Five Minutes)

17 related questions found

Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?

Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
 

Is a 3.3 GPA too low for law school?

A 3.3 GPA isn't "bad" but makes getting into top-tier (T-14) law schools very difficult, as their median GPAs are much higher (around 3.7-3.9+), but it's often sufficient for mid-tier or lower-ranked schools, especially with a strong LSAT score, compelling personal statement, and relevant work experience, which can significantly boost your application by showing resilience and readiness. 

What law is in high demand?

Labor law, for example, tends to be steady regardless of economic ups and downs. “Right now, labor and employment law is huge, especially in California,” she said. “California has its own unique set of employment laws, and companies know that if they can comply there, they're likely covered everywhere else.

Why do most lawyers quit?

Lawyers leave the profession due to overwhelming stress, burnout from long hours and high stakes, and a poor work-life balance, compounded by demanding cultures, lack of control, and insufficient mentorship or career growth. Other reasons include toxic work environments, seeking more flexibility, seeking more meaningful work, changing personal priorities (like family), and the desire for alternative careers outside traditional law practice, according to sources like BCG Attorney Search and Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig Law Firm. 

What lawyer never lost?

Both Darrow and Spence have become legendary for using language not as a weapon, but as a bridge to jurors, adversaries, and -- paradoxically -- to themselves. Spence never lost a criminal trial (as a prosecutor or defense lawyer), and in his over half century of practice, he only lost one civil trial, in 1969.

What law pays the least?

The lowest-paid legal jobs are typically those in the public sector, such as district attorneys or public defenders. Lawyers in these positions often make just above minimum wage.

What is surprisingly illegal?

In California it is illegal to have caller ID. • In California it's against regulations to let phones ring more than nine times in state offices. • It is illegal to cry on the witness stand.

Did Michelle Obama pass the bar?

Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
 

Can a 2.7 GPA get into law school?

There is so much more that admissions committees consider! I had a 2.9 and got a 160 LSAT, I got into several schools in my area with scholarships. Granted I had a 3.8 grad GPA from a masters program (most schools don't care much about that), but yes, you can get in with a 2.7 just make sure you have a strong LSAT.

How old is the youngest lawyer?

The youngest lawyer is generally considered to be Sophia Park, who passed the California bar exam at 17 years and 8 months old in late 2024, breaking her brother Peter's previous record, though she'll be sworn in and licensed in March 2025 after turning 18, as most jurisdictions require lawyers to be 18. She accelerated her education, starting law school at 13 while in junior high and graduating early.
 

What is the B word for lawyer?

The "B word" for a lawyer, especially in the UK and Commonwealth countries, is Barrister, which refers to a specialist lawyer who argues cases in higher courts, distinct from a solicitor, though other terms like Attorney, Counsel, or even the pejorative "ambulance chaser" can be used, while "Esquire" (Esq.) is a title for any licensed lawyer in the U.S. 

Who are lawyers most likely to marry?

Of course, the first profession I looked at was lawyers. Unsurprisingly, it turns out that most lawyers marry other lawyers. But male lawyers also marry schoolteachers, secretaries, and miscellaneous managers. And lesbian lawyers marry people in other computer occupations.

What disqualifies you from being a lawyer?

You can be disqualified from becoming a lawyer primarily through a poor "Character and Fitness" review, which scrutinizes issues like criminal history (especially felonies or fraud), academic misconduct, financial irresponsibility (e.g., mishandling funds), substance abuse, dishonesty/fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and failure to obey court orders, as these reflect on your integrity and ability to serve the public trust. While minor offenses might be overlooked if addressed, a pattern of such behavior or failure to disclose them can prevent bar admission. 

Can you make $500,000 as a lawyer?

Yes, a lawyer can absolutely make $500,000 or more annually, especially by specializing in high-value fields like corporate law or personal injury, joining "Big Law" firms, becoming a partner, focusing on complex cases, developing strong client acquisition strategies, and building a successful practice with effective marketing. While most lawyers earn less, top earners leverage experience, strategic growth, and high-paying niches to reach this income level, with some senior Big Law associates and partners earning well over $500k. 

Is law going to be replaced by AI?

No, AI won't fully take over law but will fundamentally transform it by automating routine tasks, increasing efficiency, and augmenting lawyers, making tech-savvy lawyers more valuable, while lawyers who don't adapt risk being left behind; AI handles data analysis, contract review, and research, but human judgment, contextual understanding, and complex argumentation remain essential for client counsel and strategic decision-making, shifting the focus to higher-value work and potentially changing billing models. 

Which law is best for girls?

The Right to Equal Pay ensures that women receive the same pay as men for the same work. Supported by various labor laws and international agreements, this principle helps women demand fair pay, reducing gender wage gaps and fostering fairness at work.

What did Barack Obama get on the LSAT?

Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely above 170, potentially near perfect) to gain admission to Harvard Law School despite a lower undergraduate GPA, suggesting he was in the top few percentile of test-takers for his application year. While no official number exists, analyses point to a score in the top tier (e.g., 94th-98th percentile) to overcome his GPA for admission to a top-ranked program like Harvard.
 

Can I get into Harvard with a 3.2 GPA?

Yes, it's possible to get into Harvard with a 3.2 GPA, but it's highly improbable and requires truly exceptional strengths in other areas, as most admitted students have much higher GPAs (average ~4.18), but Harvard's holistic review means stellar essays, extraordinary extracurriculars (like national-level achievements), unique talents, or compelling life circumstances can sometimes offset a lower GPA, though a 3.2 is generally considered too low to compete for undergraduate admission without extraordinary compensating factors. 

Is a 168 on the LSAT good?

From your raw scores, the test is graded on an LSAT score scale from 120-180. The average LSAT score is about 150. To get into a top 14 law school, you need to score above 166, and to get into a top 50 law school, you need 153 or above.