About This Site

This website is designed both for those considering becoming a lawyer, especially those who are seriously considering whether to apply to law school, and for those in law school or law practice who feel stagnant in their careers. Some people go to law school with specific goals in mind; many go because they aren't sure what to do next. This site explores both some upsides and many of the downsides to legal careers, and also gives some perspective on whether a law degree will be useful to those who plan other career paths.

The are several causes of discontent among lawyers. Law practice is bureaucratic, highly regulated, and grounded in tradition. These factors can restrict innovation and creative solutions to issues brought by new circumstances. The question more often is, “What does the law say?” rather than “What course of action or policy will best serve my client, the other parties, and the public?” Litigation is adversarial – another party specifically wants the lawyer not to prevail, resulting in more work for both sides. Lawyers don't generally get to decide the objectives of their representation, so they often end up working on causes they may not agree with, or do not care about. Relationships with past clients can restrict what clients and what cases they can take, and the extent to which they can deliver more value by working in areas they know best.

It is my hope that prospective law students will find this site useful in their career planning. Prospective law students may want to be familiar with the limitations of the profession, so that they may make an informed decision. They may take measures to minimize or work around limitations that they would find most problematic. Some would-be students may instead choose another course of study that would better help them achieve their business or public interest objectives.

It is also my hope that law students and practicing attorneys who feel stuck or unhappy in their professional work may find this site useful in pinpointing the source of what is bothering them, so that they may move forward happy and content in their professional lives, whether as a practicing lawyer or in other capacity.

About The Author

The author of this site is a graduate of a top-15 law school who chooses not to practice law. In order to give candid advice about the profession, the author chooses not to publish his or her identity on this site. Please note that the author does not appear in any pictures on this site.