Reasons for Derogatory Names in Legal Profession? Forum

[jwinaz]

As someone working in the non-law world and contemplating the possibility a legal career, I am discouraged by the culture I've seen of putting down certain segments of the professional law population, its institutions, job types, and the like. I just wonder how common this is in the legal profession and also whether people feel it has detrimental effects on students and/or working lawyers?

I have to say that I've mostly seen this sort of language and behavior online, so am not familiar with how lawyers and law students talk about their peers and profession in person. If I am over-generalizing, then I do apologize and am open to correction in this area. Yet, it has been something I've seen quite pervasively here and sometimes at other sites discussing the legal field.

I work as a billing specialist, so perhaps my field is not innately as competitive as something like law. But in talking to people in other fields, I'm not sure if I've come across this kind of self-loathing and derogatory terminology used to describe members of one's own profession (I'm thinking of terms like "TTT" ..."sh*t law"..."big law strikeouts/lottery losers").

Why does this exist in law and where does it come from?

[Ruxin1]

As someone working in the non-law world and contemplating the possibility a legal career, I am discouraged by the culture I've seen of putting down certain segments of the professional law population, its institutions, job types, and the like. I just wonder how common this is in the legal profession and also whether people feel it has detrimental effects on students and/or working lawyers?

I have to say that I've mostly seen this sort of language and behavior online, so am not familiar with how lawyers and law students talk about their peers and profession in person. If I am over-generalizing, then I do apologize. Yet, it has been something I've seen quite pervasively here and sometimes at other sites discussing the legal field.

I work as a billing specialist, so perhaps my field is not innately as competitive as something like law. But in talking to people in other fields, I'm not sure if I've come across this kind of self-loathing and derogatory terminology used to describe members of one's own profession (I'm thinking of terms like "TTT" ..."sh*t law"..."big law strikeouts/lottery losers").

Why does this exist in law and where does it come from?

Self Awareness, realistic expectations...

[Bronx Bum]

POAST of the Decade.

[westie25]

Because the best (and really only) way to describe a legal job where you have no benefits, minimal time off, 70+ hour work weeks, and a salary of $35,000 is "sh*t law." Sometimes TTT comes from people being snobby, but you'll find the same snobby attitudes toward undergrad universities as well. Sometimes TTT or TTTT truly means the law school is terrible. Also, being an attorney is working in a "professional" field. Working as a billing specialist isn't even in the same category, so you're not going to see (or hear) the competiveness that goes on in "professional" fields. I'm sure similar talk goes on between doctors.

[prezidentv8]

I'm sure similar talk goes on between doctors.

DO? LOL u wut a TTT degree!

[jkpolk]

As someone working in the non-law world and contemplating the possibility a legal career, I am discouraged by the culture I've seen of putting down certain segments of the professional law population, its institutions, job types, and the like. I just wonder how common this is in the legal profession and also whether people feel it has detrimental effects on students and/or working lawyers?

I have to say that I've mostly seen this sort of language and behavior online, so am not familiar with how lawyers and law students talk about their peers and profession in person. If I am over-generalizing, then I do apologize and am open to correction in this area. Yet, it has been something I've seen quite pervasively here and sometimes at other sites discussing the legal field.

I work as a billing specialist, so perhaps my field is not innately as competitive as something like law. But in talking to people in other fields, I'm not sure if I've come across this kind of self-loathing and derogatory terminology used to describe members of one's own profession (I'm thinking of terms like "TTT" ..."sh*t law"..."big law strikeouts/lottery losers").

Why does this exist in law and where does it come from?

DR; I only read elite posts

[nickb285]

.

[SuperCerealBrah]

Most of it has to do with how astonishingly broken this profession really is at the moment. It is a form of self loathing that is also projected onto others due to an industry and profession that is royally screwing a LOT of its own progeny. This profession is eating its own young.

Edit: And yea, it does definitely get out of hand, I agree. The above posters link is a good thread to read as well.

[typ3]

Most of it has to do with how astonishingly broken this profession really is at the moment. It is a form of self loathing that is also projected onto others due to an industry and profession that is royally screwing a LOT of its own progeny. This profession is eating its own young.

Edit: And yea, it does definitely get out of hand, I agree. The above posters link is a good thread to read as well.

The profession has always been like this. It is nothing new.

Read articles / commentary / books from the early 1900's and you'll find that it is exactly the same. Well paid defense mill work and the rest of the profession starving / hustling / etc. The only thing different now is that law students have higher debt loads.

[bk1]

This is the internet, did you expect puppies and rainbows?

[somewhatwayward]

This is the internet, did you expect puppies and rainbows?

beat me to "hello, my name is the internet; have we met?"