The negative and often lingering impact of law school debt is a rude awakening for many young attorneys who enroll in law school without a clear understanding of how the cost will eventually affect their careers.

That's according to a new survey by the American Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division and the AccessLex Institute titled "Student Debt: The Holistic Impact on Today's Young Lawyer."

Respondents were asked to reflect on their understanding of the legal profession, the cost of law school, and their earning and academic potential at the time they entered law school. Nearly 58% of borrowers said they didn't have a clear understanding of the impact student loans would have on their careers.