So you are a disgruntled lawyer. Some people would say that is tautologous as lawyers are by definition disgruntled. That is not really true as there are a few who are truly happy at their jobs, I just don't know them. Finding these happy lawyers must be like trying to find the Holy Grail or to pick fly poo out of pepper but I read about them from time to time.
On the other hand I hear about miserable lawyers everyday. Most of the lawyers I know complain every time I meet them. They want to get the hell out of Dodge but often don't know where to go or what to do. I found this site recently where lawyers who supposedly want to leave the law have formed network groups. I wonder what they talk about? A group of unhappy lawyers who lament about the miserable nature of the job is to my mind a situation that is hardly capable of settlement. Ok so they'll probably agree that the job is a bitch but where do they go from there? Without a strong mediator or coach it'll be like spreading a virus repeatedly, re-infecting themselves over and over again with the virus of wretchedness. But as they say. misery loves company.
I asked myself, do they spend time more time griping? Do they share ideas about possible exits from their wretched jobs? Do they ruminate on their disgrace suffered at the hands of partner X, Y or Z who stole their client, humiliated them then snickered at their misfortune? Do they compare views on the best ways to get back at the said partner X, Y or Z? Or are there other motives at work.
In order to ease the pressure of my puzzlement I visited one of the sites for these networking groups and surprise, surprise I found it was exactly that - a networking (read ways to make money) group. I was so relieved that it had restored my faith in the human condition. Here are some examples.
Esoteric Legal Phrase:
Consensus Ad idem(L) - Meeting of the minds when two parties to contract both have the same understanding of the terms of the agreement.
Source: www.stus.com
On the other hand I hear about miserable lawyers everyday. Most of the lawyers I know complain every time I meet them. They want to get the hell out of Dodge but often don't know where to go or what to do. I found this site recently where lawyers who supposedly want to leave the law have formed network groups. I wonder what they talk about? A group of unhappy lawyers who lament about the miserable nature of the job is to my mind a situation that is hardly capable of settlement. Ok so they'll probably agree that the job is a bitch but where do they go from there? Without a strong mediator or coach it'll be like spreading a virus repeatedly, re-infecting themselves over and over again with the virus of wretchedness. But as they say. misery loves company.
I asked myself, do they spend time more time griping? Do they share ideas about possible exits from their wretched jobs? Do they ruminate on their disgrace suffered at the hands of partner X, Y or Z who stole their client, humiliated them then snickered at their misfortune? Do they compare views on the best ways to get back at the said partner X, Y or Z? Or are there other motives at work.
In order to ease the pressure of my puzzlement I visited one of the sites for these networking groups and surprise, surprise I found it was exactly that - a networking (read ways to make money) group. I was so relieved that it had restored my faith in the human condition. Here are some examples.
- I am the founder of ABC law firm. We focus on.... [making money]. Emphasis added.
- I work for DEF firm. We help clients with...[ways to guarantee that we make money]. Emphasis added.
- This one wasn't even a lawyer and didn't even bother to modify the public relations spiel. www.urladdress.com. Your business needs money which is where GHI company can help.
- I was an attorney and now I am have my own business. Here is my website.
- I was happy to see this though: I was an attorney and now I am a life coach.
Esoteric Legal Phrase:
Consensus Ad idem(L) - Meeting of the minds when two parties to contract both have the same understanding of the terms of the agreement.
Source: www.stus.com
4 comments:
That's hilarious - all of my friends have left Big Law and gone to government/nonprofit gigs. However, you have to pay off some percentage of your crippling student loan debt before you can do it, unfortunately.
An outstanding shot of cynicism, Dee. Tilting at windmills hurts you more than the windmills. Guess a lot of lawyers are slow in coming to realize this. You point out these shorcomings in salient fashion. As you can see, I finally got through, so much the better, to enjoy your "Not so Happy Hour" thoughts.
Law Student Hot Mama no one is funnier than you, except maybe Jack. He makes me laugh so hard and he is an octogenarian to boot.
Jack you have cynicism down pat.
Personally, I'll never miss practicing law and am so happy to have stopped. OTOH, I've not passed a bar since then, either, probably because my years as a lawyer left me with a fondness for a good martini.
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