Are you happy practicing law? Forum

[anonanonny]

If you are, what is it about practicing law (or your life outside of it) that keeps you happy?

If you're not, what keeps you going?

(I've been interested in this topic even more since having a class discussion on law student unhappiness and thought I'd put it out there.)

[TLSModBot]

Happy, but I wouldn't call what I do practicing law (transactional work)

[FullRamboLSGrad]

Generally yes. I like the structure of the work, that is, I have deadlines to file things instead of hours I need to be somewhere.

I don't like the job market, not that it sucks, but that "prestige" is a moniker instead of work product and happiness.

There was a time I worked in a role where I reviewed a lot of appellate and petition level writing. The big firms do work just as sloppily as small firms. In fact, often I found it was worse and often disingenuous.

[northwood]

i like helping people solve problems and have ( to them their) complex issues resolved.


but I hate the stress, pressure and b-s that comes with it.


working with great attorneys helps a ton

[zot1]

Generally, yes. My work is well-regarded, challenging, and diverse.

But more importantly, I have tons of free time to binge watch on Netflix.

[ballouttacontrol]

Yea it's solid. Some rough weeks but overall hours aren't too bad and I make way more money than I could doing anything else I know of. I ball out pretty hard not frugal at all and my net worth is still climbing pretty steadily. Might start to grind on me in a few years but we'll see

The compete autonomy to dip out of work whenever I want or work from home or take a random Tuesday to go skiing are great

[sener212]

If you are, what is it about practicing law (or your life outside of it) that keeps you happy?

If you're not, what keeps you going?

(I've been interested in this topic even more since having a class discussion on law student unhappiness and thought I'd put it out there.)

No. And, money.

[Tiny Rick!]

Nope.

[kellyfrost]

If you are, what is it about practicing law (or your life outside of it) that keeps you happy?

If you're not, what keeps you going?

(I've been interested in this topic even more since having a class discussion on law student unhappiness and thought I'd put it out there.)

Yes. What keeps me happy? The work, the people, the learning, the challenges, the ability to help people. If you step back from your job and think about your skill set, the skills you have developed, and what your job consists of, it truly is an interesting and unique way to earn a pay check.

[dixiecupdrinking]

Not really, but honestly, it beats most other white collar jobs.

[Nebby]

Happy

[RedPurpleBlue]

Generally, yes. My work is well-regarded, challenging, and diverse.

But more importantly, I have tons of free time to binge watch on Netflix.

What sort of work do you do, if I might ask?

[Civilservant]

I enjoy the practice. I litigate trials and argue appeals, which are both rewarding. I enjoy my coworkers, we have at least a few laughs per day. The best part is that I'm home for dinner every night, which keeps my family strong.

[zot1]

Generally, yes. My work is well-regarded, challenging, and diverse.

But more importantly, I have tons of free time to binge watch on Netflix.

What sort of work do you do, if I might ask?

Government.

[Anonymous User]

Very. I'm a public defender. I love my clients, and the fact that I am able to make a difference in someones life (no matter how small) every single day.

[Anonymous User]

Am I happy practicing law? No.
What keeps me going? My six figure debt.

[Anonymous User]

Not happy with law, but I honestly don't know what else I would do.

[Anonymous User]

I love it.

I love being in court/trial everyday; I am constantly learning and improving my practice.

Everyday brings its own interesting story/development, successes, and setbacks. I enjoy working with detectives and having a meaningful impact on my community, victims of crime, and those I prosecute.

It's an honor to say I represent my state and awesome to have a mission of striving for justice.

[timmyd]

Not really. I loved clerking, though. I don't mind the law in the abstract; I just hate the nuts and bolts and ever present grind of litigation.

A fear of failure and a realization that I have no other real skills keeps me going.

[jchiles]

I'm happy and think its better than anything else I would have been doing by this age but there are times when it would be cool to have a job where you can just space out and take it easy w/o having to make up the time later.

[Anonymous User]

No at all, but hoping moving to a smaller firm in a small city and changing practice areas will help ..... praying

[Anonymous User]

Not at all. I'm not sure what else I can do but litigation though.

[Anonymous User]

I love getting yelled at and living in fear of my superiors.

[Anonymous User]

on the whole, no. i keep going because of debt and family that needs supporting.

there are some positives - what i do is intellectually challenging, there are some people i like working with, etc. there are just more downsides and they're more severe. too much work; the work really doesn't matter; i don't have time for things i really care about; etc.

[andythefir]

I love it.

I love being in court/trial everyday; I am constantly learning and improving my practice.

Everyday brings its own interesting story/development, successes, and setbacks. I enjoy working with detectives and having a meaningful impact on my community, victims of crime, and those I prosecute.

It's an honor to say I represent my state and awesome to have a mission of striving for justice.

⅓ of the way through I began suspecting this poster was a prosecutor, and then they confirmed it. Being a prosecutor is a blast, best job I've ever had. Basically nothing about my job has anything to do with anything in law school. It's 95% paper and people management, but you develop a ton of meaningful and impactful skills along the way. By contrast, when I was never less happy in my life than when I was in a big-ish firm.