Just curious: how do you tell others what you do? Forum

[Anonymous User]

For all you law clerks out there, how do you tell other non-lawyers what you do exactly? I tried telling even my own dad about what I did. He was like, "law clerk?? Oh, that doesn't sound too good at all, son, sorry." I tried to explain to him that it was a great job, but he couldn't get past the job title. He pretty much thinks I'm filing papers and shuffling around folders for some hokey judge.

During casual conversations and dinner parties and whatever, how do you tell people what you do? Are you unlike me and not so concerned about how other people perceive you, so you just say "I'm a law clerk to a judge"? Do you give a quick snappy answer that doesn't understate what you do? Just curious.

[bk1]

Why do you care?

This strikes me the same as SAs trying to explain to people what a "summer associate" is so that they can sound important. Just tell people you're an intern at a law firm so that they understand.

[Anonymous User]

Haha, I'm not sure what the point of this thread is, but I've come across the same issue. My dad explained to my extended family members at a recent gathering that I'll be starting out as a secretary after law school.

[Anonymous User]

"I work for a federal judge. I help him research issues that come up in his cases and sometimes help him with his opinions."

[Anonymous User]

Why do you care?

This strikes me the same as SAs trying to explain to people what a "summer associate" is so that they can sound important. Just tell people you're an intern at a law firm so that they understand.

Because I am admittedly "concerned about how other people perceive" me. Just being honest with it. I'm sure I'm not the only one that's copped the same mental. Clerks are fairly pro-active type A types from law school, and we're more likely than the average cat to be obsessed with dat prestige and want to make sure we let others know about it too.

I spoke with some other classmates at my T14 and some feel similarly, too. Not saying it's right, but it is what it is.

[A. Nony Mouse]

"I'm a lawyer."
"What kind of law do you practice?"
"I work for a judge, so I do all kinds of law."
(People who've heard of law clerks then usually say, Are you a law clerk? and I say yes.)

Jurors have asked me what I do, and since they're in the courtroom and obviously know I work for the judge, I tell them that I help the judge research legal issues.

[bk1]

If you care that much, then it's probably a good lesson in humility that you struggle to convey the supposed prestige of your job.

[Anonymous User]

Just say, "I get paid with your tax dollars to surf the web and check Facebook. All day. Everyday. Occasionally I glance at CNN if I am feeling particularly productive. Thanks. I guess."

[lolwat]

"I'm a lawyer."
"What kind of law do you practice?"
"I work for a judge, so I do all kinds of law."

I pretty much do this now too. "I'm a lawyer, but right now I work for a judge." I talk to so many people who have no idea what lawyers are/do besides criminal and traffic ticket/DUI.

If you care that much, then it's probably a good lesson in humility that you struggle to convey the supposed prestige of your job.

Eh, why? I'm not overly concerned with prestige, but when I've had this question come up and I used to answer that I either "clerk" or "work" for a judge (without the initial "I'm a lawyer" part), random peoples' first reactions are to think I'm the equivalent of a secretary/JA. Even without going out of my way to care, I would think most people don't particularly enjoy being thought of as less than what they are. (The word "less" used here not meant to be any disrespect, of course.)

[apparentlynew]

Even without going out of my way to care, I would think most people don't particularly enjoy being thought of as less than what they are. (The word "less" used here not meant to be any disrespect, of course.)

You are using the word "less" to express precisely the idea of disrespect. That is why you "don't particularly enjoy being thought of as less than what" you are.

[Anonymous User]

Wikipedia has a good description on law clerks. Most people just assume I'm a secretary. I just say I'm happy to have a job and I mean it.

[rad lulz]

.

[cim_can]

My response is along the lines of I'm a lawyer, I work for a judge, helping him with civil and criminal litigation.

Also, people who replied using the anonymous feature: really?

[Anonymous User]

"I work for a judge."

People in the know will know you mean clerk. People who aren't won't care anyway. Try not to let your self-image get wrapped up in your job.

[ggocat]

I tell non-lawyers I am a lawyer, but not a real lawyer, because I just work for a judge.

Also...

My dad explained to my extended family members at a recent gathering that I'll be starting out as a secretary after law school.

... your dad sounds like a jerk.

[Ludo!]

This is the most atrocious humblebrag I've ever seen

[lolwat]

Even without going out of my way to care, I would think most people don't particularly enjoy being thought of as less than what they are. (The word "less" used here not meant to be any disrespect, of course.)

You are using the word "less" to express precisely the idea of disrespect. That is why you "don't particularly enjoy being thought of as less than what" you are.

As common on TLS, everyone tends to read unnecessary shit into things that aren't meant to be what they think it is. But that's cool. Not going to get into it any more because this discussion has turned stupid as hell, but I simply don't like my job being confused with others, just like I don't like my school being confused with others with similar names. (Fucking WUSTL.)

[bk1]

As common on TLS, everyone tends to read unnecessary shit into things that aren't meant to be what they think it is. But that's cool. Not going to get into it any more because this discussion has turned stupid as hell, but I simply don't like my job being confused with others, just like I don't like my school being confused with others with similar names. (Fucking WUSTL.)

Why do you give a shit what randos think of your school or your job?

[rad lulz]

Even without going out of my way to care, I would think most people don't particularly enjoy being thought of as less than what they are. (The word "less" used here not meant to be any disrespect, of course.)

You are using the word "less" to express precisely the idea of disrespect. That is why you "don't particularly enjoy being thought of as less than what" you are.

As common on TLS, everyone tends to read unnecessary shit into things that aren't meant to be what they think it is. But that's cool. Not going to get into it any more because this discussion has turned stupid as hell, but I simply don't like my job being confused with others, just like I don't like my school being confused with others with similar names. (Fucking WUSTL.)

You sound just wonderful dood

[Anonymous User]

"I work for a judge."

"Oh, what does that entail?"

"I help her do everything she needs help with."

"Oh, cool. That sounds ______."

This has been every convo I've had with non-lawyers almost verbatim.

[msridiculous447]

"I work for a judge."

People in the know will know you mean clerk. People who aren't won't care anyway. Try not to let your self-image get wrapped up in your job.

We have a winner.

[MarkRenton]

As common on TLS, everyone tends to read unnecessary shit into things that aren't meant to be what they think it is. But that's cool. Not going to get into it any more because this discussion has turned stupid as hell, but I simply don't like my job being confused with others, just like I don't like my school being confused with others with similar names. (Fucking WUSTL.)

Why do you give a shit what randos think of your school or your job?

Because most people care about what others think about them, including matters of job, school, family, success etc. But I don't think you're actually unaware of that. I think, by rephrasing the same question 3 times within this thread alone, you're just trying to prove a point about how secure you are. The OP cares, that is all.

[IAFG]

Not going to get into it any more because this discussion has turned stupid as hell, but I simply don't like my job being confused with others, just like I don't like my school being confused with others with similar names. (Fucking WUSTL.)

"You went to a really good school, right? Case Western?"
"Northwestern."
"Oh. Well, Northeastern is still a solid school."

[los blancos]

This is the most atrocious humblebrag I've ever seen

[Anonymous User]

What school is going to be confused with WUSTL? GW?