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I'm tiring of attempting to answer this question at bars and in other social settings. Any tips for avoiding the topic or trying to succinctly explain it to someone who has a deep cynicism for lawyers and their work?

shock259 wrote:I'm tiring of attempting to answer this question at bars and in other social settings. Any tips for avoiding the topic or trying to succinctly explain it to someone who has a deep cynicism for lawyers and their work?

stop bringing up the fact that you want to be a lawyer?

i've never been asked this at a bar or anything. And if I was, the simple answer would be to smirk and say "social justice" while chuckling

shock259 wrote:I'm tiring of attempting to answer this question at bars and in other social settings. Any tips for avoiding the topic or trying to succinctly explain it to someone who has a deep cynicism for lawyers and their work?

Just tell them to fuck off, and talk to someone else.

You don't have to justify your profession to every stranger and acquaintance you meet at a bar.

Also, they live in this society, they pay taxes, I'm guessing they are affected by the law on a daily basis. Not wanting to get involved in that is their decision, but they can't deny that it's an ever present element of their life. The idea that "Lawyers are evil" is pretty juvenile IMO. There is no protagonist or antagonist in society.... simply parties with conflicting interests who need to come to some kind of agreement/binding decision.

I'm still leaning towards ignoring the fuckers though.

It always seems to come up when people start asking about your life and what not. I definitely don't volunteer it.

And I like these responses.

"So I can sue you."

daesonesb wrote:

shock259 wrote:I'm tiring of attempting to answer this question at bars and in other social settings. Any tips for avoiding the topic or trying to succinctly explain it to someone who has a deep cynicism for lawyers and their work?

Just tell them to fuck off, and talk to someone else.

You don't have to justify your profession to every stranger and acquaintance you meet at a bar.

Also, they live in this society, they pay taxes, I'm guessing they are affected by the law on a daily basis. Not wanting to get involved in that is their decision, but they can't deny that it's an ever present element of their life. The idea that "Lawyers are evil" is pretty juvenile IMO. There is no protagonist or antagonist in society.... simply parties with conflicting interests who need to come to some kind of agreement/binding decision.

I'm still leaning towards ignoring the fuckers though.

I've always imagined the antagonist in society being the criminals, but that's depending on opposing points of views.

For instance, take the person who stole 9 kittens and was being chased by police officers via car. The man started to throw kittens out of his window at the police. All the kittens died but one. Taking these actions by face value, you can argue that he was testing the kittens to prevent a defective one being sold since we all know that cats have 9 lives.

Or, you can call him a criminal and condemn him for life.

Either way, I think we can all agree on one thing here: Won't somebody please think about the kittens?

Hm, alright - I think I like your stance more, after all.

kalvano wrote:"So I can sue you."

"Why Grandma, what a biglaw JD you have!"

"All the better to sue you with, my dear!"

So I don't have to drink in this shithole anymore?

This has got to be the stupidest question ever. You are asking us why we want to be lawyers, or at least how we answer the question "Why do you want to be a lawyer?". And you are doing this because you want to take our answers and use it as your own?! If you can't sincerely answer the question about why you want to be a lawyer, don't under any condition go to law school.

Turn it back on them- same thing I did with "Why Philosophy?" until I got tired of people thinking realizing I was a snarky asshole.

"Why do you wan't to be a lawyer?"
"I dunno, why do you want to be a ______?"

95% of people can't give a good answer.

Alternatively: "Because I'm a confrontational prick who likes to argue. Got a problem with that?!"

A lot of laymen (and women if that's your thing) don't have a realistic understanding of how much money you'll be making in a few years or the odds that you'll be unemployed. If you aren't interested in providing them with an honest answer just let them think you're riding the gravy train.

so I can sue Marc Anthony for being a douche to avenge the death of Cicero/"Money, Cash, Hoes"

Because I truly enjoy working in front of a computer screen, doing legal research and writing legal briefs and memoranda every day for the rest of my life.

If your answer is anything but, you definitely don't know what being a lawyer in the 21st entails, or at least certainly not civil litigation.

fenway wrote:so I can sue Marc Anthony for being a douche to avenge the death of Cicero/"Money, Cash, Hoes"

+1

I wonder if any institution has laid claim to Cicero as an honorary alumnus. prolly Cooley

KibblesAndVick wrote: A lot of laymen (and women if that's your thing) don't have a realistic understanding of how much money you'll be making in a few years or the odds that you'll be unemployed. If you aren't interested in providing them with an honest answer just let them think you're riding the gravy train.

+1