Now, I’m not about to weigh in here on the relative pros and cons of a law school degree. I never wanted to go to law school myself, but I’m certainly glad that many did, or I would never have had a career in the field, and I wouldn't have such great attorney clients now.
No, I’m writing to celebrate those recent grads I know who did decide law school was for them, who passed the bar, and who now are eager to do something worthwhile with their careers.
Last night I attended the Sonoma County Bar Association’s New Admittees’ Reception. Present to be honored were about ten recent admittees to the California Bar. I managed to meet most of them. They attended a variety of (mostly) California law schools, and their ages varied, (in fact, one graduated from Stanford 34 years ago, and practiced for many years in other states), and some have landed jobs and others have not.
But as I mingled around and spoke with them, I was impressed and heartened by two things: First, each of the new lawyers I spoke with is proud of his or her achievement and excited about the law. And second, although there are regions of the state with bigger law firms, presumably higher salaries, and possibly greater job prospects, these folks choose to live and practice here, in slower-paced, somewhat rural Sonoma County.
As blogger and JD candidate Jack Wittington has pointed out, not every law school student is just in it for money, fame and fortune. Many choose this career because they believe they can help others doing it. The brand new lawyers I met last evening all certainly fit into that category, and my figurative hat is off to them!
So congratulations, I say, to new lawyers here in Sonoma County, in California, and everywhere!
2 comments:
Daphne, I have to admit that I've been telling my friends' college age children, who've asked me about law school, to do their homework before making a commitment. With so much discouraging news in the last few years about the difficulty law school graduates (and to be honest, almost everyone graduating with any other major) have finding work that will enable them to support themselves and repay significant student loan debt, it's nice to see your post emphasizing the positives, including the sense of achievement, pride in the profession - and the ability to still land jobs in the legal field.
You know Lynne, I tell young people pondering law school the same thing - be realistic about the job market. These realities make me doubly proud of these young lawyers who are committed to the profession in the face of those difficulties.
Thanks so much for your comment!
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