Q: I'm a college freshman interested in pursuing law (not civil), and I was just wondering, on average, how many weeks of vacation a starting out lawyer would receive. Also, is it easy to take time off in the law field, or do you have to plan your vacations around your work?

A: Vacation time for lawyers is a chronic problem. The demands of many law practices are extremely intense, and vacations are often sacrificed to client needs and litigation schedules. Many lawyers with a good sense of balance in life make a conscientious effort to set aside vacation time, as well as evening and weekend time, for themselves and their families. However, these efforts often face serious pressure. Many lawyers have a highly developed sense of duty, and business pressures in private practice often make it difficult to tell an anxious client to 'wait.' Many personal and family relationships of lawyers suffer harm as a result, and many lawyers themselves feel profound distress that their lives have fallen seriously 'out of balance.'

If you are significantly motivated by a desire for regular and generous vacations, you may wish to consider another field -- for example, teaching, which may offer holiday and summer vacations. If law remains of interest, you may wish to consider law practice with the government, which will often promise a less hectic schedule and more predictable (though not particularly long) vacations. However, as a college freshman, you have plenty of time to think about this -- and many other things -- before you decide. I encourage you to focus on your studies and life interests for the next couple of years, and think again graduate school in your junior year. If you are interested in time off, a great time to do this is after college. Why not take a year or two, and see the world? There is no rush. You have the rest of your life to "work," if you choose. Take the time now to live a little.