I get asked the above question quite often. I’m graduating in May and so there are a series of questions I get asked by fellow attorneys and those who are familiar with the legal profession. First, I’m asked if I have a job yet. Now, that seems a bit prying but I guess people are entitled to ask whatever they really want to. After I answer that I do not have a job, then I’m usually asked what area of law I’m interested in.
This is the spot in the conversation where my heart starts picking up and beating rapidly. It’s hard for me to answer that question because I truly don’t know. Basically, there are a few areas of law that I do NOT want to practice. I have worked in a non-profit doing mainly family law, and I loved how much time I got to spend interacting with clients. I like the intellectual challenge of litigation. I still go back and forth about whether I want to take the patent bar and throw myself into intellectual property.
I’m in a unique position where I would like to work in a very small firm doing, well, anything. The most important aspects of a firm to me are the personalities of the people working there. I want an environment where I’m independent but have some guidance when I get stuck in a corner. I want flexible, reasonable hours, but I’m willing to make significant sacrifices in compensation for that luxury. I’m hard-working and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make things happen. I don’t mind doing my own copying, answering of phones, filing etc; in fact, I rather enjoy seeing a project from beginning to end.
Am I asking too much?
3 Comments
Great post! You definitely want to keep an open mind. I went to law school thinking I wanted to focus on health law (because I wanted to be a health care consultant), then tax law was my favorite area while in law school and I ended up practicing commercial bankruptcy law (because I joined a firm of about 60 attorneys and was assigned to the bankruptcy section – it was 2001, economy similar to today’s economy and that section was busy).
In retrospect, it was the best “decision” ever because of the people in my firm’s bankruptcy section. All three partners felt strongly about marketing and business development (and were darn good at it); working for them was the best mentoring I could have asked for (though that was never on my list when I was looking for a job). The marketing skills I learned from that team continue to benefit me as I run my own business today.
My point – keep an open mind. Opportunities surround you – you just may not see the benefit until a few years later. I would jump at small firm opportunities based on the firm (assuming there is some practice area that you are remotely interested in), people and reputation. And, then see what evolves. Practice is so different from law school courses so your likes and dislikes may change once you start practicing. It sounds like you have the right attitude … best of luck to you!
Great post! You definitely want to keep an open mind. I went to law school thinking I wanted to focus on health law (because I wanted to be a health care consultant), then tax law was my favorite area while in law school and I ended up practicing commercial bankruptcy law (because I joined a firm of about 60 attorneys and was assigned to the bankruptcy section – it was 2001, economy similar to today’s economy and that section was busy).
In retrospect, it was the best “decision” ever because of the people in my firm’s bankruptcy section. All three partners felt strongly about marketing and business development (and were darn good at it); working for them was the best mentoring I could have asked for (though that was never on my list when I was looking for a job). The marketing skills I learned from that team continue to benefit me as I run my own business today.
My point – keep an open mind. Opportunities surround you – you just may not see the benefit until a few years later. I would jump at small firm opportunities based on the firm (assuming there is some practice area that you are remotely interested in), people and reputation. And, then see what evolves. Practice is so different from law school courses so your likes and dislikes may change once you start practicing. It sounds like you have the right attitude … best of luck to you!
Not knowing exactly what area you want to practice is isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I had no idea during my LBB (your JD) and then my LL.M in commercial (and IT) law that I’d end up working in Telecoms law.
I think the answers that people give to this question varies markedly throughout their degree. I don’t think you should be afraid to hold out for the speciality and conditions which you want – within reason. If you want the more reasonable working hours/better quality of life that come with some areas compared with others – go for it. You’re tuned-in enough to recognise the trade-offs that come with it so I would say have faith in your own decisions (or periods of indecisiveness).
And Amanda makes a good point – practice is entirely different to law school. The number of people I’ve heard of that swore after studying property law they’d have nothing more to do with it, ended up working in conveyancing etc. is staggering. As always – discount nothing and keeping an open mind has always got to be a good thing!