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I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 5:46 pm
by JustBelieve
How many people are actually going to law school because they actually want to help someone or fight injustices and harms to inequality?
I believe that this profession allows us to do beautiful work for our world because it allows us to go beyond ourselves and assist the greater good. This is a very selfless field and I applaud each and every one of you who are going so that you can help others.
I can’t speak for people but I hope nobody is going because the only thing they care about is money.
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 5:48 pm
by Bildungsroman
JustBelieve wrote:
I can’t speak for people but I hope nobody is going because the only thing they care about is money.
What's so bad about being motivated by money?
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 5:51 pm
by mpasi
Anyone who works for a living cares about money. I think you meant to say "cares about making lots of money", although I don't see anything wrong with that, either. FWIW, I'm not going to law school to make money. I'm going so I can help poor people with their legal issues,
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 5:54 pm
by Jackie O
I want to learn.
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 5:57 pm
by SullaFelix
JustBelieve wrote:How many people are actually going to law school because they actually want to help someone or fight injustices and harms to inequality?
I believe that this profession allows us to do beautiful work for our world because it allows us to go beyond ourselves and assist the greater good. This is a very selfless field and I applaud each and every one of you who are going so that you can help others.
I can’t speak for people but I hope nobody is going because the only thing they care about is money.
I don't think I would like you very much in real life.
Law does allow you to do great things, does shape our society and can assist the greater good. God bless anyone with those life goals.
But someone who begrudges others — whom they know nothing about — for doing what's best for them and their family is pretty misguided themselves.
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 5:59 pm
by JustBelieve
SullaFelix wrote:JustBelieve wrote:How many people are actually going to law school because they actually want to help someone or fight injustices and harms to inequality?
I believe that this profession allows us to do beautiful work for our world because it allows us to go beyond ourselves and assist the greater good. This is a very selfless field and I applaud each and every one of you who are going so that you can help others.
I can’t speak for people but I hope nobody is going because the only thing they care about is money.
I don't think I would like you very much in real life.
Law does allow you to do great things, does shape our society and can assist the greater good. God bless anyone with those life goals.
But someone who begrudges others — whom they know nothing about — for doing what's best for them and their family is pretty misguided themselves.
I respect your opinion; I wish to offend nobody.
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 6:01 pm
by skoobily doobily
I'm going to law school to make as much money as possible. Get off your high horse.
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 6:05 pm
by Mal
How about its a good career for a detail oriented person interested in logical puzzles... Law is very intellectually engaging, perhaps people are interested in that.
Your focus is results oriented;this certainly has a part to play but I would bet it is not the driving factor. There are careers that give more money, or help people more. My focus in choosing a career is what I would enjoy doing. I'd hope its similar for others.
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 7:47 pm
by cynthia rose
I said all of the above, but the options included in 'all of the above' are really kind of the same thing, and I feel that intellectual interest and/or a particular desire for a specific area of law should have been included. Some people are just really big nerds and like learning for the sake of learning. Most of those people are probably more interested in the academia track, which isn't so much about the money but also is not necessarily about "helping" anyone. Some people really want to go into a certain field of law, and would be bored to tears if they were an accountant or an electrician or a sales consultant. And some people will fall under all of the above - they want to help people and they care about issues, they genuinely enjoy the intellectual stimulation, they simply don't want to do anything else, AND if they can make a shit-ton of money at the end of they day then why not go for it?
I don't see anything wrong necessarily with someone really desiring a lot of money, or even for the money being their biggest motivator. The catch is that if this is their ONLY motivation, then they will be the stereotype of the lawyer who works 80 hours a week, is miserable, and becomes an alcoholic within three years. If you are only in something for the money (law or otherwise) then you will end up running yourself ragged all the time just for an extra dollar, and when you're finally done earning it odds are you'll be too tired to spend and enjoy any of it (which is the entire purpose of making lots of money).
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 8:18 pm
by Hannibal
Mal wrote:How about its a good career for a detail oriented person interested in logical puzzles... Law is very intellectually engaging, perhaps people are interested in that.
Your focus is results oriented;this certainly has a part to play but I would bet it is not the driving factor. There are careers that give more money, or help people more. My focus in choosing a career is what I would enjoy doing. I'd hope its similar for others.
+1
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 8:22 pm
by Barbie
options 1-3 are pretty much the same, so its either to care about/help people or because I'm greedy? what about corporate law? if someone goes into corp. law and thus isn't doing 1-3, they are thus greedy and in it for the money? Why does one become a chef? Why does one become an accountant? There are tons of individualized answers that don't fit into your poll. Maybe include a "none of the above" option.
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 8:40 pm
by ZachOda
While money comes into the equation, It's not just about getting filthy rich, it's about creating a secure environment for your family, whether it be current or future. If I'm taking on a huge amount of debt to fulfill my other reasons for pursuing law (helping others, intellectual stimulation) I want to know that I can support a family later on and live comfortably.
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:27 pm
by LAWYER2
I am not at all surprised at the results of the poll judging by those who frequent this site. After all it is called Top-Law-Schools, and logically most that wish to get into top law schools are doing so to ultimately get top pay. Nothing wrong with that
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:28 pm
by Holly Golightly
Models & bottles, baby.
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:42 pm
by 09042014
LAWYER2 wrote:I am not at all surprised at the results of the poll judging by those who frequent this site. After all it is called Top-Law-Schools, and logically most that wish to get into top law schools are doing so to ultimately get top pay. Nothing wrong with that
Well when you make 3 options to help others, and one option $$$$$$$$$$$ and don't have one for it looks interesting its going to come out this way.
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:44 pm
by gdane
I want to save the whales. Well, animals in general, but whales may very well be one of those animals one day.
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:46 pm
by paratactical
Holly Golightly wrote:Models, bottles & blow, baby.
TITCR
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:47 pm
by 09042014
paratactical wrote:Holly Golightly wrote:Models, bottles & blow, baby.
TITCR
I'll settle for fat chick blow jobs and mad dog 20/20
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:48 pm
by paratactical
Desert Fox wrote:paratactical wrote:Holly Golightly wrote:Models, bottles & blow, baby.
TITCR
I'll settle for fat chick blow jobs and mad dog 20/20
It's good that you've learned to settle long before your OCIs.
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:49 pm
by 09042014
paratactical wrote:Desert Fox wrote:paratactical wrote:Holly Golightly wrote:Models, bottles & blow, baby.
TITCR
I'll settle for fat chick blow jobs and mad dog 20/20
It's good that you've learned to settle long before your OCIs.
Very optimistic about my chances of finishing 1L I see.
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:50 pm
by kazu
The poll irritates me.
So, we're either selfless angels or money-grabbing greedy heartless devils?
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:51 pm
by paratactical
kazu wrote:The poll irritates me.
So, we're either selfless angels naive idiots or money-grabbing greedy heartless devils?
FTFaccuracy
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:59 pm
by Bumi
Why did the OP create this poll?
a) Because he wants to save the world.
b) Because he loves us and wants us to be happy
c) Because he is not human, but instead is an intelligent fuzzy superbeing made of puppies and kitties
d) All of the above
e) Because he is an attention-grubbing sociopath bent on destroying our confidence and making us hate ourselves
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 10:01 pm
by ResolutePear
Holly Golightly wrote:Models & bottles, baby.
Re: I am going to law school because...
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 10:04 pm
by bdubs
If you are going to law school to help people, you could save yourself a ton of money by not going. There are much more effective and less costly ways to help people directly. There are ways that lawyers can help people, but it is not the primary function of the vast majority of lawyers.