Law Students

Lawyers? Drop in Social Status

By Casebook Sherpa

Via Facebook, a classmate posted a link to this story from the New York Times over the weekend. The essence of the piece can be summed up in this quote: “The pay is still good (sometimes very good), and the in-laws aren?t exactly complaining. Still, something is missing, say many doctors, lawyers and career experts: the old sense of purpose, of respect, of living at the center of American society and embodying its definition of ’success.’”

Our culture’s definition of success has changed, the argument goes. Creativity and innovation are receiving the financial and social prestige once enjoyed by the classic prestige careers of doctor and lawyer.

I suppose one could join in the great lawyer’s lamentation about paradise lost. Sure, I’m also a bit nervous about what this trend means for my future career success. Just like any market, the legal job market has ebbs and flows. It just so happens the flows tend to be more common than the ebbs - which is fantastic. Though, perhaps we are entering an ebbing period…

But seriously… This story boils down, essentially, to a group of well-paid, well-trained, highly-educated, bright people no longer being the de facto coolest kids in the room. That strikes me as absurd both because of the sheer ego and insecurity involved not to mention the fact that it doesn’t change the nature of what lawyers do. (Does it?)

Creativity and passion and innovation are also required in the law to face the challenges facing society. And they are legion. It can only help that the economy has recognized that and is rewarding that initiative. Additionally, new ways of doing business, new ways of valuing talent, and new ways of defining success and ethical ways of obtaining it don’t rob the lawyer’s prestige. Rather they place new demands on the attorney’s expertise and create new markets in which to sell the counsel’s services.

Say what you want, but you have a long way to go before convincing me that the lawyer’s death is anything but greatly exaggerated.

Full post as published by Fight The Hypo on January 08, 2008 (boomark / email).