Why I Want to be a Lawyer

By: Katie Nagy

Throughout all of my blog posts so far, I have talked about the different aspects of being a lawyer, but now I want to share where my interest in being a lawyer comes from, and why law has interested me, personally.

In my opinion, lawyers are a necessary part of the U.S. justice system. Without lawyers, people would have no way to protect themselves against the power of the police and government. In order for there to be a fair criminal justice system in America, it is critical that all citizens have access to a lawyer to defend them. American citizens that are arrested of a crime all have the right to an attorney, but often times a defendant cannot afford to pay for a lawyer, so the government appoints a lawyer to the defendant’s case.

The government-appointed lawyers often are not as strong of lawyers as the prosecutor, or as the lawyer of a rich citizen. The appointed lawyers in the justice system are often criticized for being weak lawyers, or for not being dedicated to their clients. Government-appointed lawyers often have too many cases going on at once, so they are usually overworked, overtired, and cannot spend too much time on just one person’s case (Southers para. 6).

Lawyers will also often do “pro bono work” which is the providing of legal services without charge mainly for people that cannot afford a lawyer and at times there are lawyers that will do pro bono work for nonprofit organizations (“Pro Bono Lawyers” para. 2). Lawyers can make a big difference in someone’s life; they help fight for their children, against injustices, for their rights, and many more crucial parts of someone’s life. Pro bono work is just proof that even if someone cannot afford a lawyer, it is imperative that there is someone who is looking out for you and defending you in front of the law.

Lawyers often are the link between every-day people and powerful people, corporations, etc. when two parties have a conflict. Lawyers have the ability to change or save someone’s life, and that should not be taken lightly. Take, for example, an innocent man is on death row, and he has no idea what his rights are or how to file an appeal to stop his execution, but his lawyer has the power to try and do all of those things. I see lawyers as educated superheroes that can use their powers for good in this world. 

"Pro Bono Lawyers." Enlighten Me. Dex Media, 04 May 2014. Web. 21

                     Oct. 2015.

Southers, Frank R. "Public Defender and Court Appointed Lawyers."

 Southers. Author Media, 3 Oct. 2012. Web. 21 Oct.

Businessman in Cape. Digital image. MorganMckinley. Morgan Mckinley,

24 Nov. 2014. Web. 21 Oct. 2015.