Why Go to Law School?

Deciding whether to go to law school is a big step, one that combines personal values, practical considerations, and a little gut instinct. There’s no single “right” reason to pursue a legal education, but there are plenty of good ones. Here are a few to consider if you’ve ever wondered whether law school is the next step for you.

You Care About Justice.

Everyone has their own sense of what justice is, but few can fully define it. At its heart, it’s about fairness, honesty, and equal treatment under the law. It’s the idea that rules should apply to everyone, that power should be exercised responsibly, and that everyone’s rights deserve protection.

If these ideals resonate with you, law school offers a way to explore them deeply. You’ll study how the law has evolved, how courts and lawmakers interpret it, and how to use that understanding to seek justice for others. You’ll learn that justice is an ongoing effort: one that requires logic, compassion, and the willingness to stand up for what’s right even when it’s difficult.

You’re Good at Reading, Writing, and Research, and Want a Career That Suits Your Skills.

Many future lawyers major in political science, philosophy, English, or economics: fields that sharpen your ability to analyze, write, and reason through challenging ideas. Those skills are critical in law school. Here you’ll spend hours reading cases, statutes, and legal opinions, dissecting them to understand how and why the law works the way it does. Every class asks you to organize complex information, synthesize it clearly, and make a persuasive case for your interpretation through legal writing and research.

You Want to Make a Difference.

Law touches nearly every part of society. Many law students are motivated not just by career goals, but by a greater sense of purpose: by the understanding that law is a powerful way to help others and shape communities. You see problems in public policy or in the broader world around you, and you want to be part of the solution.

At Stetson Law, that drive to make a difference is shared by our diverse and passionate student body. Our students bring perspectives from across the country (and around the world), with backgrounds in business, education, government, the arts, and beyond.

Through clinics, pro bono projects, and externships, students apply what they learn to real-world issues. And for those who want to go even deeper, Stetson’s Social Justice Advocacy Concentration provides focused coursework and hands-on experience in areas like public interest law, human and equal rights, and community advocacy.

You Want a Career with Strong Earning Potential.

You don’t have to choose between making a difference and making a good living; a legal career gives you the chance to do both. While salaries vary widely across legal careers, the median salary for lawyers in 2024 was $151,000 a year, and a law degree can open doors to financially stable, high-earning paths in private legal practice, at big law firms, and in other specialized areas of law. The key is aligning your financial goals with the kind of legal work that genuinely motivates you.

You Like Debating.

If you were on your high school or undergrad debate team, you already know the thrill of building a case, defending it under pressure in front of an audience, and making the perfect point at just the right moment. You like the rigorous give and take of public discourse: listening carefully, analyzing quickly, and responding with logic and clarity.

Law school takes that natural curiosity and competitiveness and channels it into something powerful. You’ll learn how to construct sound arguments, question them from every angle, and defend them with evidence and precision.

At Stetson Law, you can hone those instincts to a professional edge. Our Trial Advocacy Program is ranked #1 in the nation and has been 21 times since U.S. News and World Report began its rankings in 1995. Through hands-on experience, national competitions, and expert faculty mentorship, Stetson can turn your passion for debate into a career where thoughtful arguments have a meaningful impact.

You Just Know You Want To Be a Lawyer.

This may sound goofy, but some people just know. Whatever “being a lawyer” is, that’s what they’ve always wanted to be—since they were little kids, when the alternatives were astronaut or fireman.

Maybe your parents were lawyers. Maybe a lawyer made a big difference in your life at an early age. Wherever it came from, that inner pull counts for something. Law school is where that instinct gets direction: where you start to understand what being a lawyer really means and how your unique strengths can fit into the profession.

You Love a Challenge.

If you thrive on growth and refuse to settle for easy answers, the law school experience offers a challenge worthy of your ambition.

A legal education is demanding, and that’s part of the appeal. Many law students are drawn by the challenge itself. The study of law asks you to think differently, to analyze every word of a case or statute, to construct arguments that can stand up to intense scrutiny, and to defend your reasoning in front of law professors and peers who will push you to be sharper, clearer, and more precise.

Admission to top law schools requires excellent academic credentials: a high GPA, a strong LSAT score, and a proven ability to handle complex material. Once you’re there, you’ll join a community of highly motivated, intellectually curious students who are serious about mastering their craft. The pace is fast, the reading is heavy, and the expectations are high—but so are the rewards.

You’re Interested in Government and Politics.

Understanding the law is essential to understanding how the government works, which is why so many political leaders began their careers in law. 30% of the U.S. House of Representatives and more than half of U.S. Senators hold law degrees and have practiced law. Studying law develops the skills that define strong leadership: critical thinking, persuasive communication, negotiation, and the ability to see issues from multiple perspectives.

Whether you want to one day run for office, work on policy, or serve as counsel to a government agency, legal education provides a foundation that connects principles with practice. Law school gives you the tools not just to understand the system, but to influence it responsibly, thoughtfully, and effectively.

You’re Looking to Switch Careers.

Many people enter law school after successful careers in education, business, healthcare, the military, or public service. A legal education builds on the skills you already have and gives you new ways to apply them. Whether you want to move into policy, compliance, advocacy, or private practice, a law degree can open doors to opportunities that match your values and ambitions and align your real-world experiences with a new sense of purpose.

For professionals balancing work, family, and education, Stetson Law’s Flex JD program offers you the freedom to pursue a part-time JD while maintaining your current commitments. The program combines evening and weekend classes with the same rigorous academics and hands-on learning as the full-time track, allowing you to move toward your goals on a schedule that fits your life so you can build on what you’ve already achieved.

You Want Job Security.

A law degree remains one of the most stable, useful, and versatile professional credentials you can earn. Employment for lawyers is projected to grow about 4% over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That steady demand reflects the essential role law school graduates play in nearly every sector: from government and business to healthcare, education, and technology.

Even as new tools like artificial intelligence reshape industries, the practice of law remains uniquely human. No matter how the economy or job market shifts, earning a law degree signals that you’re disciplined, resilient, and intellectually focused, that you can navigate ambiguity, reason from evidence, and communicate with clarity. Those qualities are respected across every field, from business to public service to academia.