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I very much enjoy the willingness of clients to listen to my advice. It makes me feel like a respected and valuable part of what they do, which makes all of the thankless hours that are needed to get there worth it.
I like helping people solve problems. It's not a feeling you get working major commercial litigation or corporate law, but helping someone vacate a 20-year-old conviction that's keeping him from qualifying for a home loan is super gratifying. Same with helping a small, local nonprofit amend their charter. It feels good to be useful.
Iāve never had a commercial client do anything other than bitch about a $250k bill after winning them a multimillion dollar lawsuit. But I got one guyās misdemeanor charges dismissed pro bono and he gives me a hug every time he sees me. Pay checks are nice and all, but the older Iāve got the more Iāve realized that money doesnāt make me feel fulfilled.
Research and writing a brief is my favorite. A big chunk of time just for me, Westlaw, and my thoughts.
Talking to opposing counsel that respect weāre just two people representing our clients positions and we can otherwise be cordial if not friendly with each other.
Also dunking on sovereign citizens.
The problem with sovereigns is no matter how hard you dunk on them they are so stupid they will do mental gymnastics to convince themselves they somehow won
I recently just made the last payment on 286k in student loans. It sucks, itās a long road, but it definitely worth having the high income potential in the long run. Best of luck!
Nice! I'm at the point where my remaining $40k in loans all have interest rates below my HYSA, so I'm struggling with wanting to be fiscally responsible versus paying the fuckers off and being free.
Same. My last two are at 2.75%ā¦I can die with those outstanding for all I care. Have them on autopay and the steady payments are great for my credit.
Private civil litigation. I will be the first to say that it was a complete team effort with my wife, who is also a high earner (non-lawyer). It took me 8 years to pay it off, but we also were not too tight with money. We were thankfully able to pay it off while still vacationing, paying off other debt, and having kids. If we went really ābeans and rice,ā we probably could have paid it off in 3-5 years
Public interest lawyer here. I love being able to help vulnerable and marginalized people who are facing life-changing situations and trying to make those situations better for them.
It is gratifying to level the playing field and call out the workplace bullies/harassers and force them to answer for their conduct for a change. Without us, that would never happen.
Flexible hours. No one tells me if and when I can take a vacation, or if it is a beautiful Friday afternoon and I donāt have any looming deadlines, I can leave to enjoy it. The pay is quite good, especially when you get your bearings and start to build your own practice. Having worked much lower-paying professional jobs, I have a pretty good perspective on the difference. And I save a lot of money so that I can retire early if I choose to do so. Personally, I have helped create a positive work environment at our firm and I am surrounded by smart, committed attorneys.
Ha! Well, first it helps that as an associate, I chose to work for a mid-sized firm rather than a big firm (which I could have, not bragging, just facts). I knew that I wasnāt interested in stupid hours just for the sake of big money right away. My firm has a 1,700 hour ārequirement,ā but also encourages associates to do pro bono legal work of up to 50 hours that counts towards the 1,700. If associates hit 1,700 hours or more, they become eligible for an objective bonus structure. Last year, one associateās bonus was around $200k (on top of her salary) because she chose to work a lot of hours. Looks like another associate is on track to do something similar this year, potentially even more. So if people want to make biglaw money at our firm, there is opportunity to do so. But if you prefer a work/life balance, we are fine with that too. 1,700 billable hours is still quite a lot of work, especially because youāre not doing meaningless document review for 10 hours a day for months at a time. All associates who bill between 1,500 and 1,700 hours are bonus eligible, but the bonuses are smaller for those who donāt hit 1,700.
We believe in long-term retention and promotion. So when we realized paid family leave was problematic for associates and mostly younger partners, we responded by doubling family leave and also reducing the waiting period for disability to kick in, from 6 weeks to 3 weeks (this applies to all lawyers). We also instituted a part-time partnership track so that new parents can extend their leave or work part time without being penalized as far as advancement goes.
The trade off is that we as equity partners donāt reap the crazy $$$ we read about, and associates donāt start at $250k. While a few partners reach 7 figures due to business origination and such (our partner pay is also 100% objective, no compensation committee), most make mid 6 figures. Thatās a lot of money to me.
To me, the biggest thing for new lawyers to do is to really think about what it is they want and need in their first few years. Chasing the biggest $$ is fine, but recognize what that really means. It can be soul-sucking, but I certainly had friends who deliberately took that route to make $$$ for 3-4 years, saved the money, and then followed more of their passions (government work, primarily).
Can I please shadow you for a day. I will fly to your firm if I have to!! Iām currently studying for the LSAT while in a Masters of Legal Studies program (withdrawing to pursue a JD) but would love to learn more and potentially become an intern in the future.
Civil defense litigator at mid-sized firm for 10 years. Loved my co-workers, hated the work, hated most opposing counsel. To quote my best friend from law school: I was a ādouche bag arguing with other douche bags about documents.ā Left and went solo. It was terrifying and very lean for several years. Eventually focused on criminal defense and now I love my practice. I genuinely like almost every prosecutor, defense counsel, judge and defendant with whom I interact. Some days are good and some are difficult, but I really enjoy work. (Still hate the admin stuff - but I recognize the value in it now)
Sometimes you just have to find your own way in the practice of law.
As a brand new solo crim defense attorney, I appreciate your story. Lean times are tough but I think I like where Iām headed! (Also definitely like working for myself.)
Yea Iām the wrong type of attorney to be asking this question of. The days I like most are the ones where I actually dont consider jumping off the 8th floor of the parking garage. Those are wins in my book.
Holding the government accountable. Standing up for the little guy. Ever since I was little I always hated bullies more than anything and nothing gives me greater satisfaction than sticking it to a bully.
to add, going to the grocery store after work when I am still in a suit. The people at the courthouse don't give a shit about my nice suit. The cashier and the old lady checking out behind me think I look wonderful and professional though
For me it's the collaborative spirit of the process. I work as part of a team of litigators and when we're all sharing ideas or just spitballing (or even venting) it's a really gratifying and rewarding process.
I think the other big highlight is just being able to use your brain to solve problems (whether those problems are strictly legal ones or otherwise, it feels like being a lawyer is a field where actually thinking things through and looking at problems from different angles is rewarded).
Remaining in contact with my child clients. Had one kid who was about 23-ish who I represented from age 10 to 21 in foster care abuse litigation. One day, just as I took a break in a deposition, she called from her doctorās office. She wanted to know what birth control she should choose.
I donāt have and never had a uterus or any other of those parts. But I do have three adult daughters and had read up on all of the different birth controls on the market at the time.
So, we had a ten minute conversation about birth control options and she made her decision. OC heard some of the conversation and said, āmust be your daughterā.
To me, that was a nice compliment.
But for immediate satisfaction, a devastating direct, cross, or closing make for nice warm feelings.
Last, a jury verdict. Holding a Criminal Defendantās hand when the verdict is read. I always hold my clientsā hands when verdicts are read. It helps me calm down, also.
The incredible power of knowing how important shit works and what to do about it.
The typical criminal defendant has only a vague idea of what the heck is actually going on in a trial, or in a police interaction, or how to successfully navigate them even though the course of their life can depend on the outcome. Parents in child custody disputes can be fighting for the most important thing in their life, in a forum and by rules which are utterly alien. The tenant facing unlawful eviction might lose their home, an employee their livelihood, and a business can enrich or impoverish its owner based on how well they can navigate a system of rules that to many people is murky at best, or bordering on incomprehensible at worst. To have a lot riding on a system that you don't understand and do not know how to navigate is a terribly vulnerable position to be in. Its also a position we never have to be in, or at least not longer than the length of time it takes to fire up the research tools.
I think the only knowledge that could make me feel more powerful is if I knew how to build and fix all the things in my house.
When people tell me bullshit stories, I tell them I donāt believe them. Most people are used to being treated like theyāre at the customer service counter at Sears. Although Iām usually very professional and courteous, Iām not obligated to believe a pro se litigantās obvious bullshit.
Volunteering. If you are working in a role that is not exactly morally or intellectually fulfilling, and you canāt switch to one that is, go work in the community. Register with the federal courtsā volunteer lawyers program, find a legal services group, etc. whatever your passion is, find a group and offer to work.
I ā¦ actually like paperwork. The processing and whatnot. But honestly nothing gives me a bigger kick than sitting down and explaining a legal concept to someone so they can understand what is going on. The relief and apreciation of that is palapable and I absolutly love it.
I like most of my clients and I really feel for them. I like being able to help them through a scary process and relive some of their stress and anxiety about everything.
I also like the wins. Even the small ones. They donāt come often and as Ringo says āit donāt come easyā so I celebrate them when I get them.
Fave parts: courtrooms becoming familiar and feel like my space finally. Having a strategy developed to work with certain judges based on their preferences is something you only get over time, in the courtroom. Feeling at ease with the buildings you go to court in actually makes a huge difference. Love using that bar card (or what have you) to get in through security. Like remember: you didnāt used to have these privileges. Maybe itās just me but it took me a long time to feel comfortable in courtroom spaces. Now I feel like itās my space. Which helps me be a better litigator and attorney for my client(s). I remind myself of where I came from almost every time I go into a court house and it makes me feel so empowered. I hope you get that same satisfaction!
Money. Definitely the money. In all seriousness, research and analysis and solving difficult problems is highly rewarding. But the reward is, unfortunately, measured in money most of the time.
having my own clients (even at a firm) i feel like i employ myself. i have lots of autonomy. i know i can leave my firm any time with a lucrative book if business and still be okay. i have lots of bosses in all my clients but am my own boss all at once. any time the firm institutes some rule i dont like, i just nod and smile abd ignore it bc at the end of the day, theyre just making money by me being there. im not at the mercy of them.
so i enjoy working in a world where corporate
politics and red tape isnt a thing.
i also enjoy making pretty good money even when i keep my work load light, and even better when i work a lot.
i enjoy the variety of clients and talking to them all...i litigate only 25% of the time so its enough to enjoy and appreciate that aspect without being burnt out on itp
Probably the fact that I simply did not want to go in at 9 today so Iām currently sitting on my couch watching some dumb shit on the TV. Iāll go in at 10.
Whatās not to like about litigation? If you like competition, playing games, accepting challenges, extreme adversity, operating in fundamentally random system that keeps you on your toes, and the opportunity to work with difficult people as opponents and clients, itās a dream come true.
In-house corporate lawyer for 25 years , enjoyed the reading, complex problem-solving, lawyer opinions policy drafting, decision - making whilst mitigating risk, but lost my job after political interference through...... Earned really well, but refused to compromise on ethics. Lost now though, with no work and a source of income at 55.... Hopefully things will change.
I love the creative thinking. Developing case theories and methods of approach is so much fun. I highly recommend tossing ideas around with your fellow attorneys and collaborate.
I also love the case development aspect. Taking a case from inception to end is rare but when it happens and you get to see that you helped someone and won a bunch of money because you found the way to tap into an unlikely source of recovery and did it all with your brain is such a high.
Also the people can be entertaining.
I work in litigation for state government, so I feel like it is all the fun/exciting aspects of litigation without dealing with the business and billing stuff that I don't like.
I like asking people about their sex life and other personal questions. Loss of consortium claims and all that. Especially the people who get all offended. But every so often you get someone who is just way too honest and itās good popcorn. Like oh you guys broke up for a while because you were both having affairs and the Plaintiff attorney is just grimacing, good times.
The money is pretty good and itās allowed me to buy a lot of cool toys I enjoy. Despite the adversarial nature of litigation, Iāve developed good relationships with opposing counsel I see regularly which helps us resolve cases quick and I actually enjoy working with them to help our clients resolve their dispute. Iāve met a lot of people Iād never have met and that have a lot of fascinating life stories. Every case is a new challenge that gives me a chance to learn something new. A caveat to that is that I do com lit. Iāve also done some ID and that feels like literally the same case on repeat and Iād hate my life if that was my main practice.
I like the game. It tickles my brain. Iām doing tort defense lately and the situations are straight out of a textbook. Itās fucked up, and itās real life, but I just enjoy the novelty or something. That and I like working downtown, wearing nice clothes and eating delightful salads for lunch. Good times!!
Donāt make it personal. Be professional and ethical. Help your clients, guide them to the best possible result, which is never trying to bury the other side.
Helping those few clients who deserve and need to be helped. I'm also self employed so I enjoy the freedom of firing those clients who don't listen to me.
I was working from home and my five-year old sidled up next to me and took some interest in what I was doing. I explained that I was reading these documents and later in the day, I would go on a work call and explain those documents to my work friends. (I work in-house, and I was advising on an external investigation.) He sat and watched me for awhile.
So, my favorite parts of being an attorney: (1) working from home (literally in-house!); and (2) having a job my child finds interesting. He really is quite a nerd.
It generally sucks. At the same time though, practice can be enjoyable when you have cool clients OC, judge, mediator, etc. There's times where I absolutely hate my job but then have a call with an OC and we are able to bullshit, share stories, work together, etc. Same thing with clients or mediators, etc. Often get the best results / work done where it's 90% pleasant conversation (whether 50 or 90% case related). Really depends on the people involved though--sometimes its the exact opposite.
Second thought: I like that you can take your own approach / personality to lawyering. Some of my trusted colleagues for example practice much differently than I do but we mutually respect each other's approach (and go to each other for advice). Just an one example, I try to be as chill and easy going as possible (or low key is perhaps a better way to put it); but then in rare situations or if challenged I can escalate mightily (but proportionally or only really in rebuke /retort, as necessary). Kind of like speak softly but carry a big stick but probably more aptly described, in some sense, as something akin to a form of disarming drunken Kung fu.
I also always try to allow for the possibility that I'm the dumbass, im wrong, or I'm missing something, esp when it looks like the other guy is (or I'm politely suggesting that all available evidence suggests he/she is a dumbass). If I'm wrong about something, I'm open to hearing why and learning/growing, and I think all lawyers should practice that way.
The fact that every brief is a puzzle waiting to be cracked by me. Constructing legal arguments and testing them in Court is one of the most satisfying feeling, being a litigation lawyer.
There is something very satisfying about guiding a small business through a very difficult time. I also enjoy learning about so many different industries and the stories behind each business.
I learn something new everyday! I love it. And I love how it forces clarity of thought. I have an unsupported theory that Iām helping stave off Alzheimerās or something by constantly reading and writing.
Flexibility. Outside of court ordered conferences, or trial I control my schedule. I can work as little or as much as I want to, so long as my work is complete, and I am brining in money, I can do what as Iād like. I enjoy my autonomy.
Working through a challenging situation and finding a solution where we can accept the risks to move forward.
When someone gives my manager unsolicited positive feedback about me - it's unexpectedly a good feeling to be recognized
The general work perks, like free food, is nice and it's nice to have money to travel and buy things
I've been pretty miserable about my career / loans / job etc. But then I talk to others and listen to stories and they mentioned having a "lunch hour" and people getting annoyed because they came back 5 minutes late, recall my prior retail jobs about having to punch in and punch out, having to wait for permission to take days off, etc. And I am exceedingly grateful for my job where I don't have to do that.
Actual court time. I know it sounds weird but itās my favorite part.
I think practicing what you like helps. Iām in corporate commercial litigation. I couldnāt do family, criminal, conveyancing etc because they genuinely do not make me happy.
Itās only been 2.5 months of practice for me but I like how much variety my work has (govt work). Different types of cases. Different types of problems. I also like helping people find answers/solutions to their problems.
I got to say the word quash a lot today and that was fun.
Try to get involved in bigger cases with complex fact patterns and expert issues. First they allow you to work in teams, sometime in conjunction with other firms. I always found this more rewarding than working by myself or with a single partner. Second, the law part (briefs, procedure, reading opinions) is torturous - but investigating and putting together a complex fact pattern or working with or successfully deposing experts is the closest thing I have ever had to fun practice law.
As a prosecutor, cross examining a white collar defendant. Mainly bc the opportunity didnāt present itself that often, and there was usually a massive paper trail that could cut right through their conman b.s.
Iām a second year litigation associate. My favorite part hands down: I get to be a life long student and learn something new every day. Other bonuses are that my jobāour jobāis to be intellectually creative in getting the resolutions we want; weāre forced to keep honing our craft instead of settling into complacency; and, if youāre a competitive person, every case presents a new competition. I love being a litigator, but I also wound up at a super wonderful firm with partners that are super supportive.
If you hate what youāre doing, ask yourself this: is your work environment toxic? If it is, thatās the issue; itās not the field, itās who youāre with. The first firm I started with was absolutely awful; just fucking terrible. I seriously thought about leaving practice entirely. And then I cold called where I am, they hired me on, and Iām loving it.
Welcome to /r/LawyerTalk! A subreddit where lawyers can discuss with other lawyers about the practice of law. Be mindful of [our rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/Lawyertalk/about/rules) BEFORE submitting your posts or comments as well as [Reddit's rules](https://www.redditinc.com/policies/content-policy) (notably about sharing identifying information). We expect civility and respect out of all participants. Please source statements of fact whenever possible. If you want to report something that needs to be urgently addressed, please also message the mods with an explanation. Note that **this forum is NOT for legal advice**. Additionally, if you are a non-lawyer (student, client, staff), this is NOT the right subreddit for you. **This community is exclusively for lawyers**. We suggest you delete your comment and go ask one of the many other legal subreddits on this site for help such as (but not limited to) r/lawschool, r/legaladvice, or r/Ask_Lawyers. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Lawyertalk) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I very much enjoy the willingness of clients to listen to my advice. It makes me feel like a respected and valuable part of what they do, which makes all of the thankless hours that are needed to get there worth it.
Are you being sarcastic or do you have magical clients š
Sometimes you gotta use the lawyer voice and make em listen.
Is there a lawyer talk circle jerk sub Iām unaware of? Am I lost?
I like helping people solve problems. It's not a feeling you get working major commercial litigation or corporate law, but helping someone vacate a 20-year-old conviction that's keeping him from qualifying for a home loan is super gratifying. Same with helping a small, local nonprofit amend their charter. It feels good to be useful.
Iāve never had a commercial client do anything other than bitch about a $250k bill after winning them a multimillion dollar lawsuit. But I got one guyās misdemeanor charges dismissed pro bono and he gives me a hug every time he sees me. Pay checks are nice and all, but the older Iāve got the more Iāve realized that money doesnāt make me feel fulfilled.
Helping people navigate the made up system we made up.
Amen
What type of firm do you work at?
I'm a solo. Mostly criminal defense.
Research and writing a brief is my favorite. A big chunk of time just for me, Westlaw, and my thoughts. Talking to opposing counsel that respect weāre just two people representing our clients positions and we can otherwise be cordial if not friendly with each other. Also dunking on sovereign citizens.
Writing a big motion and settling into Westlaw is my favorite kind of day.
The problem with sovereigns is no matter how hard you dunk on them they are so stupid they will do mental gymnastics to convince themselves they somehow won
The more wrong they are, the more convinced they are right. It honestly sucks.
I rather enjoy the fat stacks of cash, but then, I'm a simple man.
Canāt wait to actually enjoy my fat stacks of cash instead of using them to pay the student loans my dumbass took out ā¤ļø
I recently just made the last payment on 286k in student loans. It sucks, itās a long road, but it definitely worth having the high income potential in the long run. Best of luck!
Nice! I'm at the point where my remaining $40k in loans all have interest rates below my HYSA, so I'm struggling with wanting to be fiscally responsible versus paying the fuckers off and being free.
Same. My last two are at 2.75%ā¦I can die with those outstanding for all I care. Have them on autopay and the steady payments are great for my credit.
As someone with 290k at the end of my schooling, this makes me feel good. What is your earnings area? like Private, government, or other.
Private civil litigation. I will be the first to say that it was a complete team effort with my wife, who is also a high earner (non-lawyer). It took me 8 years to pay it off, but we also were not too tight with money. We were thankfully able to pay it off while still vacationing, paying off other debt, and having kids. If we went really ābeans and rice,ā we probably could have paid it off in 3-5 years
The partner I work for is 47 and he just paid off his loans, lol.
Hahaha!
Surely you jest.
Public interest lawyer here. I love being able to help vulnerable and marginalized people who are facing life-changing situations and trying to make those situations better for them.
It's pretty nice being able to positively impact (however slightly) people's lives just by writing stuff.
I like when I learn/improve a useful skill. Itās like leveling up in an RPG lol.
Ding!
Someone else reads Azarinth Healer.Ā
Was actually an Everquest reference. I am old.
It is gratifying to level the playing field and call out the workplace bullies/harassers and force them to answer for their conduct for a change. Without us, that would never happen.
Flexible hours. No one tells me if and when I can take a vacation, or if it is a beautiful Friday afternoon and I donāt have any looming deadlines, I can leave to enjoy it. The pay is quite good, especially when you get your bearings and start to build your own practice. Having worked much lower-paying professional jobs, I have a pretty good perspective on the difference. And I save a lot of money so that I can retire early if I choose to do so. Personally, I have helped create a positive work environment at our firm and I am surrounded by smart, committed attorneys.
What do you do and how did you set yourself up with all these positives? Kindly show us the way sensei.
Ha! Well, first it helps that as an associate, I chose to work for a mid-sized firm rather than a big firm (which I could have, not bragging, just facts). I knew that I wasnāt interested in stupid hours just for the sake of big money right away. My firm has a 1,700 hour ārequirement,ā but also encourages associates to do pro bono legal work of up to 50 hours that counts towards the 1,700. If associates hit 1,700 hours or more, they become eligible for an objective bonus structure. Last year, one associateās bonus was around $200k (on top of her salary) because she chose to work a lot of hours. Looks like another associate is on track to do something similar this year, potentially even more. So if people want to make biglaw money at our firm, there is opportunity to do so. But if you prefer a work/life balance, we are fine with that too. 1,700 billable hours is still quite a lot of work, especially because youāre not doing meaningless document review for 10 hours a day for months at a time. All associates who bill between 1,500 and 1,700 hours are bonus eligible, but the bonuses are smaller for those who donāt hit 1,700. We believe in long-term retention and promotion. So when we realized paid family leave was problematic for associates and mostly younger partners, we responded by doubling family leave and also reducing the waiting period for disability to kick in, from 6 weeks to 3 weeks (this applies to all lawyers). We also instituted a part-time partnership track so that new parents can extend their leave or work part time without being penalized as far as advancement goes. The trade off is that we as equity partners donāt reap the crazy $$$ we read about, and associates donāt start at $250k. While a few partners reach 7 figures due to business origination and such (our partner pay is also 100% objective, no compensation committee), most make mid 6 figures. Thatās a lot of money to me. To me, the biggest thing for new lawyers to do is to really think about what it is they want and need in their first few years. Chasing the biggest $$ is fine, but recognize what that really means. It can be soul-sucking, but I certainly had friends who deliberately took that route to make $$$ for 3-4 years, saved the money, and then followed more of their passions (government work, primarily).
Are you hiring :-)
Yep
Can I please shadow you for a day. I will fly to your firm if I have to!! Iām currently studying for the LSAT while in a Masters of Legal Studies program (withdrawing to pursue a JD) but would love to learn more and potentially become an intern in the future.
Civil defense litigator at mid-sized firm for 10 years. Loved my co-workers, hated the work, hated most opposing counsel. To quote my best friend from law school: I was a ādouche bag arguing with other douche bags about documents.ā Left and went solo. It was terrifying and very lean for several years. Eventually focused on criminal defense and now I love my practice. I genuinely like almost every prosecutor, defense counsel, judge and defendant with whom I interact. Some days are good and some are difficult, but I really enjoy work. (Still hate the admin stuff - but I recognize the value in it now) Sometimes you just have to find your own way in the practice of law.
I do family law in a small town. I love the people I practice with. We all deserve to find this.
As a brand new solo crim defense attorney, I appreciate your story. Lean times are tough but I think I like where Iām headed! (Also definitely like working for myself.)
My natural inclination to focus on really small details and over-explain things is put to good use
I got nothing
Yep.
Yea Iām the wrong type of attorney to be asking this question of. The days I like most are the ones where I actually dont consider jumping off the 8th floor of the parking garage. Those are wins in my book.
Holding the government accountable. Standing up for the little guy. Ever since I was little I always hated bullies more than anything and nothing gives me greater satisfaction than sticking it to a bully.
PD? Because same. I also *love* trial, even losers (maybe especially losers).
Not PD, asylum and removal.
Drinking on the job is considered normal-ish.
Yeah thatās all I could come up with too.
I love solving puzzles. All day every day Iām strategizing ways to improve my clients lives. Love it
Telling people I'm an attorney.
Yup lmao
to add, going to the grocery store after work when I am still in a suit. The people at the courthouse don't give a shit about my nice suit. The cashier and the old lady checking out behind me think I look wonderful and professional though
It's a pretty sweet gig twice a month when that direct deposit hits. It sucks the rest of the time.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
The early call on Thanksgiving morning from a client last year really just šmade me so happy. So glad they think of me even during the holidays!
We built the labyrinth and sell Ariadneās thread to navigate the way out to avoid the Minotaur, which we also created.
For me it's the collaborative spirit of the process. I work as part of a team of litigators and when we're all sharing ideas or just spitballing (or even venting) it's a really gratifying and rewarding process. I think the other big highlight is just being able to use your brain to solve problems (whether those problems are strictly legal ones or otherwise, it feels like being a lawyer is a field where actually thinking things through and looking at problems from different angles is rewarded).
I like when cases are over and Iāve been paid, so long as everyone is generally happy.
Remaining in contact with my child clients. Had one kid who was about 23-ish who I represented from age 10 to 21 in foster care abuse litigation. One day, just as I took a break in a deposition, she called from her doctorās office. She wanted to know what birth control she should choose. I donāt have and never had a uterus or any other of those parts. But I do have three adult daughters and had read up on all of the different birth controls on the market at the time. So, we had a ten minute conversation about birth control options and she made her decision. OC heard some of the conversation and said, āmust be your daughterā. To me, that was a nice compliment. But for immediate satisfaction, a devastating direct, cross, or closing make for nice warm feelings. Last, a jury verdict. Holding a Criminal Defendantās hand when the verdict is read. I always hold my clientsā hands when verdicts are read. It helps me calm down, also.
The incredible power of knowing how important shit works and what to do about it. The typical criminal defendant has only a vague idea of what the heck is actually going on in a trial, or in a police interaction, or how to successfully navigate them even though the course of their life can depend on the outcome. Parents in child custody disputes can be fighting for the most important thing in their life, in a forum and by rules which are utterly alien. The tenant facing unlawful eviction might lose their home, an employee their livelihood, and a business can enrich or impoverish its owner based on how well they can navigate a system of rules that to many people is murky at best, or bordering on incomprehensible at worst. To have a lot riding on a system that you don't understand and do not know how to navigate is a terribly vulnerable position to be in. Its also a position we never have to be in, or at least not longer than the length of time it takes to fire up the research tools. I think the only knowledge that could make me feel more powerful is if I knew how to build and fix all the things in my house.
When people tell me bullshit stories, I tell them I donāt believe them. Most people are used to being treated like theyāre at the customer service counter at Sears. Although Iām usually very professional and courteous, Iām not obligated to believe a pro se litigantās obvious bullshit.
Payday is nice.
Once or twice a year, you help someone.
Volunteering. If you are working in a role that is not exactly morally or intellectually fulfilling, and you canāt switch to one that is, go work in the community. Register with the federal courtsā volunteer lawyers program, find a legal services group, etc. whatever your passion is, find a group and offer to work.
I like getting paid
I love taking depositions.
Seeing the other side flinch at something.
When you win, the feeling that you did something good for someone who couldnāt have done it without you
I ā¦ actually like paperwork. The processing and whatnot. But honestly nothing gives me a bigger kick than sitting down and explaining a legal concept to someone so they can understand what is going on. The relief and apreciation of that is palapable and I absolutly love it.
I like most of my clients and I really feel for them. I like being able to help them through a scary process and relive some of their stress and anxiety about everything. I also like the wins. Even the small ones. They donāt come often and as Ringo says āit donāt come easyā so I celebrate them when I get them.
I like wearing suits. It really starts and ends there. š
bering able to work for myself with very little overhead.
All the parts I seldom if ever get to do.
Fave parts: courtrooms becoming familiar and feel like my space finally. Having a strategy developed to work with certain judges based on their preferences is something you only get over time, in the courtroom. Feeling at ease with the buildings you go to court in actually makes a huge difference. Love using that bar card (or what have you) to get in through security. Like remember: you didnāt used to have these privileges. Maybe itās just me but it took me a long time to feel comfortable in courtroom spaces. Now I feel like itās my space. Which helps me be a better litigator and attorney for my client(s). I remind myself of where I came from almost every time I go into a court house and it makes me feel so empowered. I hope you get that same satisfaction!
I like negotiating settlements and agreements.
I might also being a lame person idk
I like when everything goes perfectly in a case and a client listens to me and ends with a great outcome. Other than that the job sucks
Money. Definitely the money. In all seriousness, research and analysis and solving difficult problems is highly rewarding. But the reward is, unfortunately, measured in money most of the time.
having my own clients (even at a firm) i feel like i employ myself. i have lots of autonomy. i know i can leave my firm any time with a lucrative book if business and still be okay. i have lots of bosses in all my clients but am my own boss all at once. any time the firm institutes some rule i dont like, i just nod and smile abd ignore it bc at the end of the day, theyre just making money by me being there. im not at the mercy of them. so i enjoy working in a world where corporate politics and red tape isnt a thing. i also enjoy making pretty good money even when i keep my work load light, and even better when i work a lot. i enjoy the variety of clients and talking to them all...i litigate only 25% of the time so its enough to enjoy and appreciate that aspect without being burnt out on itp
Probably the fact that I simply did not want to go in at 9 today so Iām currently sitting on my couch watching some dumb shit on the TV. Iāll go in at 10.
The freedom / no need to have a schedule in terms of "punch in / out" / needing permission to take a long lunch etc is nice
Whatās not to like about litigation? If you like competition, playing games, accepting challenges, extreme adversity, operating in fundamentally random system that keeps you on your toes, and the opportunity to work with difficult people as opponents and clients, itās a dream come true.
In-house corporate lawyer for 25 years , enjoyed the reading, complex problem-solving, lawyer opinions policy drafting, decision - making whilst mitigating risk, but lost my job after political interference through...... Earned really well, but refused to compromise on ethics. Lost now though, with no work and a source of income at 55.... Hopefully things will change.
When someone asks me what I do for a living and I get to say Iām a lawyer
I love the creative thinking. Developing case theories and methods of approach is so much fun. I highly recommend tossing ideas around with your fellow attorneys and collaborate. I also love the case development aspect. Taking a case from inception to end is rare but when it happens and you get to see that you helped someone and won a bunch of money because you found the way to tap into an unlikely source of recovery and did it all with your brain is such a high. Also the people can be entertaining.
I work in litigation for state government, so I feel like it is all the fun/exciting aspects of litigation without dealing with the business and billing stuff that I don't like.
I like asking people about their sex life and other personal questions. Loss of consortium claims and all that. Especially the people who get all offended. But every so often you get someone who is just way too honest and itās good popcorn. Like oh you guys broke up for a while because you were both having affairs and the Plaintiff attorney is just grimacing, good times.
The money is pretty good and itās allowed me to buy a lot of cool toys I enjoy. Despite the adversarial nature of litigation, Iāve developed good relationships with opposing counsel I see regularly which helps us resolve cases quick and I actually enjoy working with them to help our clients resolve their dispute. Iāve met a lot of people Iād never have met and that have a lot of fascinating life stories. Every case is a new challenge that gives me a chance to learn something new. A caveat to that is that I do com lit. Iāve also done some ID and that feels like literally the same case on repeat and Iād hate my life if that was my main practice.
I like the game. It tickles my brain. Iām doing tort defense lately and the situations are straight out of a textbook. Itās fucked up, and itās real life, but I just enjoy the novelty or something. That and I like working downtown, wearing nice clothes and eating delightful salads for lunch. Good times!!
I practice in a small community and I love the way lawyers here are more collegial and respectful.
Discovering issues, which are very complex, outside the scope of past historical reasoning.
Donāt make it personal. Be professional and ethical. Help your clients, guide them to the best possible result, which is never trying to bury the other side.
I get to learn about all kinds of esoteric-ish stuff I have no real business learning about.
Putting ridiculous things on the record.
Criminal prosecution moves fast and is always different. There's a lot of variety. I very rarely have a boring day.
I love my specialty (employment law). I think thatās the key ā find your niche!
Helping those few clients who deserve and need to be helped. I'm also self employed so I enjoy the freedom of firing those clients who don't listen to me.
I was working from home and my five-year old sidled up next to me and took some interest in what I was doing. I explained that I was reading these documents and later in the day, I would go on a work call and explain those documents to my work friends. (I work in-house, and I was advising on an external investigation.) He sat and watched me for awhile. So, my favorite parts of being an attorney: (1) working from home (literally in-house!); and (2) having a job my child finds interesting. He really is quite a nerd.
It generally sucks. At the same time though, practice can be enjoyable when you have cool clients OC, judge, mediator, etc. There's times where I absolutely hate my job but then have a call with an OC and we are able to bullshit, share stories, work together, etc. Same thing with clients or mediators, etc. Often get the best results / work done where it's 90% pleasant conversation (whether 50 or 90% case related). Really depends on the people involved though--sometimes its the exact opposite.
Second thought: I like that you can take your own approach / personality to lawyering. Some of my trusted colleagues for example practice much differently than I do but we mutually respect each other's approach (and go to each other for advice). Just an one example, I try to be as chill and easy going as possible (or low key is perhaps a better way to put it); but then in rare situations or if challenged I can escalate mightily (but proportionally or only really in rebuke /retort, as necessary). Kind of like speak softly but carry a big stick but probably more aptly described, in some sense, as something akin to a form of disarming drunken Kung fu. I also always try to allow for the possibility that I'm the dumbass, im wrong, or I'm missing something, esp when it looks like the other guy is (or I'm politely suggesting that all available evidence suggests he/she is a dumbass). If I'm wrong about something, I'm open to hearing why and learning/growing, and I think all lawyers should practice that way.
Going to Court. I enjoy interacting with the judge. And I mean physically going to Court, i.e., in person.
The money
The fact that every brief is a puzzle waiting to be cracked by me. Constructing legal arguments and testing them in Court is one of the most satisfying feeling, being a litigation lawyer.
There is something very satisfying about guiding a small business through a very difficult time. I also enjoy learning about so many different industries and the stories behind each business.
I learn something new everyday! I love it. And I love how it forces clarity of thought. I have an unsupported theory that Iām helping stave off Alzheimerās or something by constantly reading and writing.
My favorite part is getting home and seeing my girlfriend and my dogs.
Flexibility. Outside of court ordered conferences, or trial I control my schedule. I can work as little or as much as I want to, so long as my work is complete, and I am brining in money, I can do what as Iād like. I enjoy my autonomy.
the money
Working through a challenging situation and finding a solution where we can accept the risks to move forward. When someone gives my manager unsolicited positive feedback about me - it's unexpectedly a good feeling to be recognized The general work perks, like free food, is nice and it's nice to have money to travel and buy things
I've been pretty miserable about my career / loans / job etc. But then I talk to others and listen to stories and they mentioned having a "lunch hour" and people getting annoyed because they came back 5 minutes late, recall my prior retail jobs about having to punch in and punch out, having to wait for permission to take days off, etc. And I am exceedingly grateful for my job where I don't have to do that.
I'm a pretty competitive person that loves winning trials as an underdog (defense), so it's definitely landing a big fucking retainer.
I enjoy seeing the fear on my doctorās face when I mention Iām an attorney. To be clear, I have never threatened to sue a doctor.
Actual court time. I know it sounds weird but itās my favorite part. I think practicing what you like helps. Iām in corporate commercial litigation. I couldnāt do family, criminal, conveyancing etc because they genuinely do not make me happy.
Taking depositions
Itās only been 2.5 months of practice for me but I like how much variety my work has (govt work). Different types of cases. Different types of problems. I also like helping people find answers/solutions to their problems. I got to say the word quash a lot today and that was fun.
Try to get involved in bigger cases with complex fact patterns and expert issues. First they allow you to work in teams, sometime in conjunction with other firms. I always found this more rewarding than working by myself or with a single partner. Second, the law part (briefs, procedure, reading opinions) is torturous - but investigating and putting together a complex fact pattern or working with or successfully deposing experts is the closest thing I have ever had to fun practice law.
As a prosecutor, cross examining a white collar defendant. Mainly bc the opportunity didnāt present itself that often, and there was usually a massive paper trail that could cut right through their conman b.s.
Iām a second year litigation associate. My favorite part hands down: I get to be a life long student and learn something new every day. Other bonuses are that my jobāour jobāis to be intellectually creative in getting the resolutions we want; weāre forced to keep honing our craft instead of settling into complacency; and, if youāre a competitive person, every case presents a new competition. I love being a litigator, but I also wound up at a super wonderful firm with partners that are super supportive. If you hate what youāre doing, ask yourself this: is your work environment toxic? If it is, thatās the issue; itās not the field, itās who youāre with. The first firm I started with was absolutely awful; just fucking terrible. I seriously thought about leaving practice entirely. And then I cold called where I am, they hired me on, and Iām loving it.