I am waiting for the day when there are laywers in single practice who charge rates of less than $100/hr like many other professionals do. I know some laywers who are complaining about tough times but they still think they are worth $250/hr.
To play devil's lawyer: lawyers have very high fixed costs due to insurance + bar fees. In Ontario they're about $6k a year. Database subscriptions are also very pricey. The expenses are considerably higher than that associated with programming.
True, but there are a number of other costs associated with being a lawyer. Various professional courses you're required to do in some jurisdictions and clothes that make you look like a lawyer instead of a programmer. Carrying costs of your $125k + living expenses education on top of undergrad @ $X...
