There is a surprising amount of negativity when it comes to attending law school. If you have spoken to enough people about your decision to do so, then there is a fair chance you have come across a few naysayers. Some common criticisms regarding pursuing a legal career have merit — such as the cost — and practising law certainly isn’t for everyone. However, I decided to pen this article to discuss my experience and views, hopefully, to give some perspective to those sitting on the fence.
Firstly, though law school and the legal profession are not for everyone — no profession is — there has never been a time in history where this statement has carried less weight. What I mean by this is that the legal profession is now more capable than ever of accommodating a wide array of individuals. This is thanks to technological advances, an evolution in law school admissions policies, and changing perceptions regarding the very nature of professional work. I’ll elaborate on each of these points below.
Technology and Its Impact on Legal Practice
Thanks to cloud-based law practice management software such as Clio (if you haven’t heard of them, look them up!), it has never been easier to venture out and “hang your own shingle,” so to speak. Whereas once upon a time, a law practice meant brick and mortar and considerable overhead, nowadays, you can launch your firm from the comfort of your own home. While I’m not ignorant that firms that operate in this manner remain a large minority, this option now exists and testifies to the increased flexibility in the profession. This is an attractive proposition for certain individuals, and I do not think it’s a stretch to say that it is a consideration capable of pushing someone off the fence and into a legal career.
Law School Admissions
I’ve noticed that many people considering law get hung up on the question of whether or not they will be a good fit. While this is a valid inquiry, I believe the media’s consistent portrayal of lawyers as fast-talking, hard-hitting individuals has really created a distorted perception of those plying their trade in law. If you have paid any attention to law school recruitment trends, you will be patently aware of the monumental shift from years past. Increasingly, law schools are putting stock in the varied lived experiences of applicants and are refuting notions of this rigid mould often depicted in popular culture.
Law schools targeting a wide array of individuals are creating some incredibly diverse cohorts of students. During my time so far at the University of Ottawa, a school known to emphasize factors beyond grades and LSAT scores, I’ve experienced this phenomenon firsthand. Law lends itself well to people of diverse backgrounds and talents, and it has been a thoroughly enriching experience getting to meet and socialize with this very heterogenous pool of individuals.
If your hesitation in attending law school pertains to uncertainty on whether you’re Harvey Specter enough, I strongly encourage you to look beyond this. Go out and talk to people in the industry, and you will quickly see that there are all different kinds of folks in law. Yes, even introverted individuals can likely find a role suitable for them. Sure, they will most likely have to avoid a career as a trial lawyer, but there are myriad solicitor roles not requiring a boisterous persona. You don’t need to take my word for it, though: go ahead and reach out to lawyers in positions you find interesting. I have found lawyers to be incredibly open to having chats and sharing their experiences with those eager to learn about their work.
Changing Ideas Regarding Work Culture
If there was any good to come out of the pandemic, it was that professional work culture was scrutinized in a manner it had seldom been prior. This is so because the pandemic limited our capacity to do things extraneous to work, resulting in the already sizable work portion of our lives gaining increased attention. In my humble opinion, I think the result of this scrutiny was a collective realization of the importance of those activities that provide a means of escape from work. Having the ability to go watch a soccer or baseball game or being able to attend a concert is more than a simple exercise in self-indulgence: its fulfilment of an innate desire to get more out of the human experience.
Interestingly, I think we have realized, or rather come to appreciate more, that engagement in those activities outside work which we took for granted is fundamental to performance in our professional lives. From what I can see, an increasing number of legal employers are taking note of this as well. This shift is important, and one which I believe further renders the practice of law a more enticing endeavour for a wider array of people.
Conclusion
Going to law school or any professional school is a big decision worthy of prolonged reflection. If you are considering a career in law, I sincerely hope that this article was able to provide you with some additional insight and be of use to you in making your decision. If you have any questions, feel free to connect on LinkedIn!