Would working as an animal rights/welfare lawyer be a good career choice?

Question

I love animals. Since I was little, I've made the decision to dedicate my life to them and improving their lives. Since volunteering at a local animal shelter, I'm completely disgusted by the things some people do to their animals. And because I live by the philosophy of 'If you don't like something, change it': I have started asking myself: How can I change this madness?

One idea was working as an animal rights or an animal welfare lawyer. I know they exist. There are about 20 different fields they cover from bite victims, cruelty, animal custody issues, and so much more. I feel that I'd be able to be the voice for the animals and give them what they deserve.

My question is: Realistically, how good of a dream is this? What is it like being a lawyer? Is it boring? Will animal welfare lawyers make as much as regular lawyers?

I want to do something I enjoy while making a difference in the world. And, of course, I want to be successful woman and make a good living.

How can I prepare for this career while still in high school? What are some other careers if this one doesn't seem good? What are your opinions? What can you tell me about the career?

If it makes a difference... I'm a 15 year old sophomore in Arizona, have a 4.1 GPA, volunteer at the United State's 2nd largest animal shelter every Saturday as an adoptions counselor, and have been interested in law for a while. I just always consider it to be boring and I never thought that the fields would interest me... until I found that animal welfare law existed.

Thank you. :)

Answer 1

This is a career choice that may give you great satisfaction.  It also helps to have a trust fund or two, because you are not going to eat regularly. Many of your clients will expect you to work pro bono. If you get a staff position for a large organization, you will be paid very little Think very carefully about your future.  Right now, it may be wiser to aim for a law degree without specializing too narrowly. Check out these websites for what is happening in animal law.

Answer 2

The problem with being an animal rights lawyer is that there must be a demand. I can't really think of any use for them except suing a big corporation like Tyson for animal abuse. However, the people who fund these lawsuits are like PETA and there are huge grudges against them.

And there are two different kinds of lawyers, civil and criminal. Civil lawyers do the suing kind of stuff kinda like the things you see on Judge Judy. Criminal lawyers put people in jail. Both can make huge money. The people who defended OJ Simpson were making obscene money and they are criminal lawyer. Civil lawyers can work for corporations and must defend the corporation from other corporations.

And I listened to a talk from a lawyer who is a father of a teenager in my school. The process for being a lawyer is a long one which is very similar to being a doctor. It takes time and you'll be in debt but end up making a good amount of money.

You can prepare to be a lawyer by being on your speech&debate team. Other career options I would suggest is majoring in engineering or science or math. Don't major in biology; there are too many people in that field. I suggest these fields because they are classified as "safe" majors and allow very easy transfer to other fields.