Does a Law Degree Give You an Advantage in Politics?

Why don't you try googling that?
I'm pretty sure searching "number of politicians with law degree" on google would yield a lot more results than you'll get here.
More ACCURATE results as well.

I think qualities like being familiar with the law, being well spoken, good at debate and good at swaying opinion are beneficial in both a legal career and politics. A strong grasp of the law and how laws interact is necessary when creating and passing laws as congress does.

I think it either gives you an advantage or the types of people who are interested in law are drawn to those two professions. To be a successful politician you need to have money and a law degree from a prestigious school helps your bottom line tremendously. Law is also an area that people of means encourage their kids to get into.

It can help. Lawyers have knowledge and they know how to present themselves and their argument.

I think it would be a good prerequisite if all aspiring national candidates were required to take (and pass) a course in Constitutional Law before officially entering the race. It wouldn't hurt any if State-level candidates took a course on their own state's constitution and background.

Some candidates seem like they barely passed 8th grade Civics, and that's a sad thing.

Still waiting for those interesting questions you claim to ask....

Maybe, in the sense that many lawyers have debate experience (which is really what a trial is) and some experience in front of an audience. Might make you a better campaigner. There might be some advantage in being able to write a bill, but all legislators have staff to do that.

A good lawyer who has worked on behalf o fate downtrodden might have an advantage. Lawyers are the single largest profession in Congress.

However, what really helps someone get elected nowadays, since Citizens United, is a tie-in with the big money. It's so incredibly expensive to run for office that only those with deep pockets (think Trump, Fiorina, Jeb Bush or Romney) or in someone else's pocket (think Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, Sarah Palin, and all the others supported by the Koch brothers) are likely to get elected, with the rare exception of those who are already incredibly organized with a strong grass roots organization (think Obama and Sanders).

It shouldn't. Our country was founded on the principle of citizen public servants. Meaning your "government job" was a part time thing you did on the side of your real career and was for a short time period. The constitution and our format of federal government was not meant for career politicians. In my opinion, part of the reason we have as many problems with our politicians is because of our lack of term limits. We need to get rid of the politicians who have been there forever and bring in new blood. We need people to represent us who have been outside the beltway for more than just a vacation!

No offense, I see you live in McLean - my husband was from Great Falls. But those who live in NOVA have no idea what the rest of the country is going through these days. It is amazing how out of touch most of my friends who live in the NOVA/Bethesda/College Park area are...they actually think the housing crisis is over. Not down here! We don't have lots of jobs and my husband has not seen a raise since 2008 - but he did keep his job, in building construction!!!

Cheers,
C.