I think you've heard some of this from me already, but here it is:
If you're a lawyer ...
1) What area of law do you practice? My practice is limited to Wills, Trusts & Estates & Federal Transfer Tax.
2) What do you like about what you do? I enjoy working for individuals, helping my clients meet their goals, helping minimize their costs in the long term, and educating clients. I like working as a team with a client's other advisors (CPAs, Insurance, Private Bank Wealth Managers). I like that I can work for a mix of clients, both high net worth and "regular people" who need my skills. I also enjoy the work itself, which (on the planning end) is like putting together a puzzle. I like puzzles. I love that I rarely, if ever, get involved in litigation, and that I have excellent co-counsel when I do get involved. I like that I don't have to go to court often but that when I do, it's probate court, which is like a mini-court. I like continuing to learn at CLEs and conferences, and I like that I get to go to nice lunches at great places I'd never pay for personally.
3) What do you not like about what you do? I wish I moved more--I do a lot of sitting.
4) How many hours a week do you typically work? I work anywhere from 20-40 hours per week, usually 25-30.
5) Do you have control over your hours? I have a lot of control b/c I'm a sole practitioner and can and do turn down new clients if I have enough other stuff to do. If there's a no school day, I stay home with my kids, for example.
6) Could you work less if you wanted to? I could work less. I used to work 3 days/week. I upped it to 4-5 with all my kids in school, but they're flexible days. I have enough time to do dropoff and pickup of my kids and be home and make dinner (or eat dinner if DH has cooked) almost every day. DH & I also try to dedicate some time to/for each other every Friday (he doesn't work Fridays) when the kids are in school--time for us to reconnect over a cup of coffee or a home project. Today (a Friday) I'm at work b/c I have a meeting this afternoon and had a lunch with a friend who works nearby. Otherwise, I'd be home w/ DH.
7) What's the pay like? For the past few years, it's varied between 70K ish and 125K ish. I could earn a lot more, easily double, if I wanted to. I don't need more money, though. I prefer balance. Oh, and fyi, I'm out of law school and practicing 16 years. I had some crap years, but they are behind me.