HIV and BigLaw Forum

[Anonymous User]

I recently tested positive for HIV. I've only consumed so much information about it thus far, but I'm worried about balancing it with a demanding career. I'm wondering if anybody here has experience with the same and could describe that. Obviously, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed now, and I'd simply like to know what to expect.

[Anonymous User]

I am so sorry this happened to you. I hope you are getting the medical and mental support you require at this difficult time. Are you also gay? To answer your question, I am sure there are quite a few HIV+ lawyers practicing in Big law. With the right support I am sure you can do it!! Good luck.

[Anonymous User]

If you get on the proper medications, then you will live an almost completely normal life with the same life expectancy as an HIV-negative person.

I know it’s overwhelming but this is basically an almost non-issue. I’m an openly gay lawyer in NYC and, in the social circles I run in, it would be viewed as incredibly offensive to use any stigmatizing language to refer to someone living with HIV.

Discrimination on the basis of HIV is, in most instances, prohibited by the Americans with Disabilities Act and related state and federal laws.

It’s a serious medical condition but, in this day and age, it is very much comparable to something like Type 1 diabetes. If you receive treatment, then you get to live a normal life.

[Anonymous User]

HIV+ lawyer here, though I’m also a stub for another two days so discount as necessary. Some things to keep in mind:

• The first few weeks are by far the hardest mentally. It’s a shocking diagnosis, and you might not feel comfortable in your own body. It took me about a year to feel “normal” again, but hopefully will take you less time. It helps a ton if someone you trust knows what you’re going through.

• The frequency of appointments is much higher in the beginning. Once you get settled into a treatment and your status becomes undetectable (and it will!), your visits might drop to just two a year plus lab work. Similar to going to the dentist.

• When you start treatment, you might be more tired than usual for a while. This should fade. If it doesn’t, find a treatment that works for you.

Really, things are going to turn out ok, even though it doesn’t seem that way right now. People thrive in biglaw with illnesses that require far more attention than HIV. Happy to answer any questions you (or anyone else!) has.

[j2ls100]

Very sorry this has happened to you. Can confirm there are many HIV+ lawyers. The above poster is correct that, with treatment, you will live a completely normal life. The current antivirals reduce your viral load so effectively that you test negative for HIV since there’s essentially no virus in your system. At that point, there are shots you can get once a month instead of pills. So long as you stick with the treatment, you essentially don’t have HIV. Crucially, you will never develop AIDS, the disease that kills you. And since you have to see a doctor regularly, I believe people on these treatment plans actually have longer life expectancies than the general population. It can’t really be understated how far HIV treatment has come, it’s nothing short of a miracle and in some ways a testament to both the power of direct advocacy and the power of big pharma (the history of both is absolutely worth reading about).

All that said, there is obviously still a stigma around HIV, especially since the state of play is not widely known. The HIV+ people I know just don’t share that information with their employers/coworkers and balance the treatment with their work lives just fine.

[jacketyellow]

I know you're scared. I'm a gay male attorney in DC. I know plenty of HIV+ attorneys. They all just take Biktarvy and do not experience any side effects. They will live just as long as I will. There but for the grace of god go I....

[butonawednesday]

On November 7, 1991, basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson stuns the world by announcing his sudden retirement from the Los Angeles Lakers, after testing positive

I actually remember where I was when the above came on the TV. Vegas hotel room.

32 years later and Magic is still with us. At the time, we thought it was over for him.