Current Events > Why do so many top Americans have law degrees?

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I first noticed it on The West Wing. Can't remember exactly but I think Josh, Sam and Toby all had been to law school. Now obviously they need to have a pretty good knowledge of the law, but Sam's job is speech-writing and Toby's job is to oversee Sam and sometimes parlay with Republicans. Josh...I'm not quite sure but it does seem more policy-based than the others so makes a bit more sense. And wasn't there a scene they gently ribbed the Pres for being an economist rather than a lawyer?

Then I was watching some video about an doctor who briefly mentioned as he's a qualified lawyer so he knows xyz. It seemed crazy would spend the time need to became a qualified lawyer and doctor. Then the more I googled, successful people especially in Govt seem to have been to law school

Is it seen as a one-size-fits-all route to gain respect in business/political circles?

Over here in the UK it seems people will generally only do a law degree if they actually want to be a lawyer. I've went back to the 60s for Prime Ministers and none read Law, closest being Blair who did Jurisprudence.

I guess our equivalent could be PPE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy,_Politics_and_Economics
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Because from a young age we're taught "LAWYERS = MONEY". Same with doctors. Even though there's very few that make it through the whole shebang to open up their own practice or make a name for themselves and no one ever tells you how low you have to be on the totem pole and the shit wages you make before you can make real money, on top of selling your soul to pay for the education for it let alone the hours it takes to get through the curriculum.
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Many top Swedish politicians often have a law degree too and they've also studied political science.
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