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Can An Introvert Succeed in LS and Law Field?
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 5:19 am
by scifiguy
What do you guys think?
Do you know of any introverted personality types that do well in law school and in the legal field?
Also, do you guys think law is just in inherently extroverted field?
Re: Can An Introvert Succeed in LS and Law Field?
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 7:50 am
by tfer2222
for work, it depends on the job / firm you work for.
Some firms have work distribution systems which require an outgoing/extroverted personality to succeed/ get good work (free market systems). I can't speak to other types of firms/fields but I'm sure someone can chime in.
I think overall, an extroverted person has more opportunity to succeed than an introvert, because networking always counts, even within firms.
For law school, I don't think it matters at all. I wouldn't call myself introverted, but I rarely participate in class and I never study with groups and it does not affect my success one bit.
Re: Can An Introvert Succeed in LS and Law Field?
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 1:06 pm
by typ3
scifiguy wrote:What do you guys think?
Do you know of any introverted personality types that do well in law school and in the legal field?
Also, do you guys think law is just in inherently extroverted field?
Law is like business. If you bring in the work you're the boss. If you don't, you're the bitch.
If you can't be extroverted, network, and bring in business you will be an expendable employee.
Re: Can An Introvert Succeed in LS and Law Field?
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 1:09 pm
by rinkrat19
Can you network and socialize competently, even if it's not your favorite thing, or are you severely introverted to the point of crippling your ability to get along in groups/make contacts/interact with people?
I mean, I'd usually rather be at home on the couch but I can put on a suit and a smile and play the game.
Re: Can An Introvert Succeed in LS and Law Field?
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 1:12 pm
by gguuueessttt
typ3 wrote:scifiguy wrote:What do you guys think?
Do you know of any introverted personality types that do well in law school and in the legal field?
Also, do you guys think law is just in inherently extroverted field?
Law is like business. If you bring in the work you're the boss. If you don't, you're the bitch.
If you can't be extroverted, network, and bring in business you will be an expendable employee.
I agree. Here's an interesting TED talk on introversion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0KYU2j0TM4
I think the takeaway is that introversion != shyness. You can be an introvert and still be self-assured, confident, outgoing, etc., it just might not be your preference. If you are both introverted and shy, you will have a harder time. But if you are just introverted (meaning you prefer to spend time alone and spending time with others is draining rather than invigorating), you can still push yourself to be confident, self-assured, and outgoing if you try. And you can definitely be a successful leader in almost any field. Being naturally extroverted probably helps with the interview and initial hiring process, especially for your first job. But if you can push yourself to act confident and outgoing, then the difference will likely be minimal. And if you do your job well, you can be just as successful as the next guy.
But if you meant introversion as being painfully shy, I would say the answer is no.
Re: Can An Introvert Succeed in LS and Law Field?
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 2:30 pm
by Lovely Ludwig Van
Obama and Romney are both introverts, they don't seem to have problems doing campaign speeches/debates. Being an introvert doesn't confine you to being anti-social, you just have to put more effort into it.
Re: Can An Introvert Succeed in LS and Law Field?
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 2:51 pm
by homestyle28
rinkrat19 wrote:Can you network and socialize competently, even if it's not your favorite thing, or are you severely introverted to the point of crippling your ability to get along in groups/make contacts/interact with people?
I mean, I'd usually rather be at home on the couch but I can put on a suit and a smile and play the game.
Re: Can An Introvert Succeed in LS and Law Field?
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 2:41 am
by jared6180
I am an introvert I think. I like to remain quiet in conversations until it rolls around to a subject I am interested in, then you can't shut me up. Getting to those things and feeling people out though is painful for me. Just this last week I met my wifes friends husband for the first time, and the conversation was obviously forced on BOTH ends. I felt bad afterwords though because I felt it was my fault. It usually takes me meeting someone a couple times to get into a solid conversation. I really hope I can be successful in law as I enjoy the reading, application and helping others understand the complexities.
Re: Can An Introvert Succeed in LS and Law Field?
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 3:07 am
by 09042014
jared6180 wrote:I am an introvert I think. I like to remain quiet in conversations until it rolls around to a subject I am interested in, then you can't shut me up.
That's not introversion it's autistic.
Re: Can An Introvert Succeed in LS and Law Field?
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 3:16 am
by sinfiery
Desert Fox wrote:jared6180 wrote:I am an introvert I think. I like to remain quiet in conversations until it rolls around to a subject I am interested in, then you can't shut me up.
That's not introversion it's autistic.
Yeah, seriously.
As a normal person here, I can tell you my interest level in a topic has absolutely no relation to how much I end up talking about said topic.
Re: Can An Introvert Succeed in LS and Law Field?
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 9:27 am
by Swimp
sinfiery wrote:Desert Fox wrote:jared6180 wrote:I am an introvert I think. I like to remain quiet in conversations until it rolls around to a subject I am interested in, then you can't shut me up.
That's not introversion it's autistic.
Yeah, seriously.
As a normal person here, I can tell you my interest level in a topic has absolutely no relation to how much I end up talking about said topic.
Absolutely none? You talk just as much about things you don't care about as things you do?
Re: Can An Introvert Succeed in LS and Law Field?
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 1:39 pm
by Justin Genious
So not talking during subjects that do not interest you --> autism?
Re: Can An Introvert Succeed in LS and Law Field?
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 1:55 pm
by cinephile
Introversion has nothing to do with being sociable. Yes, you do need to be sociable to succeed in a service profession. However, being introverted can also be a huge plus. Introverts "recharge" by being alone, whereas extroverts recharge by spending time with others. If you have to spend a significant amount of time doing due diligence or document review or whatever by yourself, you probably need to be the type of person who is energized by working alone.
Re: Can An Introvert Succeed in LS and Law Field?
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 5:27 pm
by sinfiery
Swimp wrote:sinfiery wrote:Desert Fox wrote:jared6180 wrote:I am an introvert I think. I like to remain quiet in conversations until it rolls around to a subject I am interested in, then you can't shut me up.
That's not introversion it's autistic.
Yeah, seriously.
As a normal person here, I can tell you my interest level in a topic has absolutely no relation to how much I end up talking about said topic.
Absolutely none? You talk just as much about things you don't care about as things you do?
I got you man, I got you.
Re: Can An Introvert Succeed in LS and Law Field?
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:33 pm
by 09042014
Justin Genious wrote:So not talking during subjects that do not interest you --> autism?
No, but weirdly dominating conversations about your interests and being uninterested otherwise is a typical assburgers trait.
Re: Can An Introvert Succeed in LS and Law Field?
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 3:36 pm
by Swimp
sinfiery wrote:Swimp wrote:Absolutely none? You talk just as much about things you don't care about as things you do?
I got you man, I got you.
Re: Can An Introvert Succeed in LS and Law Field?
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 5:56 pm
by sabanist
cinephile wrote:Introversion has nothing to do with being sociable. Yes, you do need to be sociable to succeed in a service profession. However, being introverted can also be a huge plus. Introverts "recharge" by being alone, whereas extroverts recharge by spending time with others. If you have to spend a significant amount of time doing due diligence or document review or whatever by yourself, you probably need to be the type of person who is energized by working alone.
+1
Re: Can An Introvert Succeed in LS and Law Field?
Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2012 2:37 am
by CO2016YEAH
Desert Fox wrote:Justin Genious wrote:So not talking during subjects that do not interest you --> autism?
No, but weirdly dominating conversations about your interests and being uninterested otherwise is a typical assburgers trait.
I think this is taking Jared's comment that "you can't shut [him] up" to an extreme. It sounds like he is talking about himself being a generally quiet and introverted person who becomes engaging and talkative in a situation that is interesting (and likely comfortable) to him. I think this is pretty typical, and definitely not autism, or even asperger's.
Most people talk more about things they are familiar with, and find it easier to engage in conversation when they are at ease and have found common ground. Jared, you're normal, dude.
And furthermore, I tend to think babbling all the time regardless of interest or actual knowledge on a subject is much more likely to be indicative of asperger's or autism.
Re: Can An Introvert Succeed in LS and Law Field?
Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2012 2:42 am
by CO2016YEAH
As for the original questions, considering the attorneys I have met and what I know of the profession, I think social skills are necessary, to a degree. I am definitively an extrovert, and am largely engaged and recharged by interacting with other people. As I result, my concerns revolve around the extensive reading and research the profession requires (which I am capable of, but am much less energized by). In this regard, I think it might be advantageous to be the introverted extraordinarily studious type, who also manages to master relevant and sociable conversation, affability, and persuasion.