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There are a few kinds of people who go to law school. Some go because they dream of being district attorneys, bringing bad guys to justice and making $45,000 a year for the privilege. Some go because they dream of being big-shot defense attorneys, hogging time on television while they profess their Mafia clients' innocence. Some go because they have nothing better to do. But most law students, let's face it, are simply in it for the money. They want that blue-chip firm salary right off the bat (currently hovering around $145,000 plus bonus for a first-year associate) and the potential huge riches that come with one day being named partner (somewhere in the $1 million range, minimum, per year).

But here's a news flash: Turns out you actually have to, you know, work for that kind of money—which is making young lawyers bail in droves:

They are unhappy with their Blackberry lifestyle - being tethered to the job 24/7 and having to rush back to the office at a moment's notice when e-mail orders pop up on the ubiquitous PDA.

The exodus of law firm associates is unprecedented, according to the National Association of Law Placement, or NALP, which found that 37 percent of associates leave large firms within the first three years.

A whopping 77 percent of associates leave within five years, according to NALP's latest survey. The author of the piece is a former lawyer who left the profession to write a novel. As if we need more of those.

Lawyers, Fun & Money [NYP]
Earlier: Struggling Ivy Leaguer Makes Good