Comments on: Big Law, John Grisham and the Future of Our “Profession” http://www.contractalchemy.com/big-law/big-law-john-grisham-and-the-future-of-our-%e2%80%9cprofession%e2%80%9d/ Brought to You By WhichDraft.com Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:37:20 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: The Contract Alchemist http://www.contractalchemy.com/big-law/big-law-john-grisham-and-the-future-of-our-%e2%80%9cprofession%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-53 The Contract Alchemist Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:04:32 +0000 http://www.whichdraft.com/wp/?p=9#comment-53 Thanks, Lori Jean! I think the staggering debt coming out combined with the lack of awareness of what Big Law practice is actually like is channeling people into careers they otherwise might not have pursued. Thanks, Lori Jean! I think the staggering debt coming out combined with the lack of awareness of what Big Law practice is actually like is channeling people into careers they otherwise might not have pursued.

]]> By: LJ http://www.contractalchemy.com/big-law/big-law-john-grisham-and-the-future-of-our-%e2%80%9cprofession%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-52 LJ Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:43:20 +0000 http://www.whichdraft.com/wp/?p=9#comment-52 Nice piece, Jason! Of the lawyers I know -- and it seems that I know many, many, many -- most are either "recovering" from their profession (i.e. not practicing at all) or have made the shift to corporate or nonprofit counsel positions. Of course, some of these folks did not even go to law school with dreams of the big firm in their eyes but rather with only a desire for a solid and flexible "credential" and rigorous training in how to think. Nice piece, Jason! Of the lawyers I know — and it seems that I know many, many, many — most are either “recovering” from their profession (i.e. not practicing at all) or have made the shift to corporate or nonprofit counsel positions. Of course, some of these folks did not even go to law school with dreams of the big firm in their eyes but rather with only a desire for a solid and flexible “credential” and rigorous training in how to think.

]]> By: The Contract Alchemist http://www.contractalchemy.com/big-law/big-law-john-grisham-and-the-future-of-our-%e2%80%9cprofession%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-51 The Contract Alchemist Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:04:54 +0000 http://www.whichdraft.com/wp/?p=9#comment-51 Yes, these people seem like more ethical versions of Patty Hewes. Though, in the case of Marc Dreier, I guess not. Yes, these people seem like more ethical versions of Patty Hewes. Though, in the case of Marc Dreier, I guess not.

]]> By: Thomas http://www.contractalchemy.com/big-law/big-law-john-grisham-and-the-future-of-our-%e2%80%9cprofession%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-50 Thomas Thu, 29 Jan 2009 02:27:25 +0000 http://www.whichdraft.com/wp/?p=9#comment-50 Great blog! So true, so true. I remember when I was a biglaw salaryman and hadn’t seen my kids in a week. One midnight, in a fit of misplaced camaraderie, I pushed aside my sushi, leaned across the conference room table, and asked one of my fellow associates if he also missed his kids. “God no!” was the response, “I see my kids on Saturdays, between 9 and 12 AM, then I’m off to the golf course. You can build in a lot of quality time in three hours if you structure it right! But, if it wasn’t for the links, I’d go crazy.” Some big firm lawyers trade their souls for a big pay check; others don’t have one to trade, and seem the happier for it. Me? I opted out of big law, have a thriving solo practice, and eat pasta more than sushi. I never did get that “structuring quality time” thing down pat. I have to “settle” for spreading out my quality time over the course of a full week, and my kids are the happier for it. Great blog! So true, so true.
I remember when I was a biglaw salaryman and hadn’t seen my kids in a week. One midnight, in a fit of misplaced camaraderie, I pushed aside my sushi, leaned across the conference room table, and asked one of my fellow associates if he also missed his kids.

“God no!” was the response, “I see my kids on Saturdays, between 9 and 12 AM, then I’m off to the golf course. You can build in a lot of quality time in three hours if you structure it right! But, if it wasn’t for the links, I’d go crazy.”

Some big firm lawyers trade their souls for a big pay check; others don’t have one to trade, and seem the happier for it.

Me? I opted out of big law, have a thriving solo practice, and eat pasta more than sushi. I never did get that “structuring quality time” thing down pat. I have to “settle” for spreading out my quality time over the course of a full week, and my kids are the happier for it.

]]> By: Craig http://www.contractalchemy.com/big-law/big-law-john-grisham-and-the-future-of-our-%e2%80%9cprofession%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-49 Craig Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:43:34 +0000 http://www.whichdraft.com/wp/?p=9#comment-49 This article makes me glad I'm a starving artist/art director and did not follow in the foot steps of several of my friends who left the arts to go over to the Dark Side. Although being an Art Director in publishing I have also had to pull many lawyer-like hours to make the print date, just not for lawyer-like salaries. Maybe my friends had the right idea; if you are going to sell your soul, it might as well be for a lot of money, not a great portfolio. This article makes me glad I’m a starving artist/art director and did not follow in the foot steps of several of my friends who left the arts to go over to the Dark Side. Although being an Art Director in publishing I have also had to pull many lawyer-like hours to make the print date, just not for lawyer-like salaries. Maybe my friends had the right idea; if you are going to sell your soul, it might as well be for a lot of money, not a great portfolio.

]]> By: Peter http://www.contractalchemy.com/big-law/big-law-john-grisham-and-the-future-of-our-%e2%80%9cprofession%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-48 Peter Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:39:16 +0000 http://www.whichdraft.com/wp/?p=9#comment-48 Very evocative-good thing my big firm interviews went so badly-you remember the best story, I think But seriously, a stapler at a secretary's head? I would understand if it was an associate, but good secretaries are hard to find. Very evocative-good thing my big firm interviews went so badly-you remember the best story, I think
But seriously, a stapler at a secretary’s head? I would understand if it was an associate, but good secretaries are hard to find.

]]> By: 2nd Career Esq. http://www.contractalchemy.com/big-law/big-law-john-grisham-and-the-future-of-our-%e2%80%9cprofession%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-47 2nd Career Esq. Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:02:30 +0000 http://www.whichdraft.com/wp/?p=9#comment-47 A very cogent post. You did a great thing by being candid to this wide-eye seeker of wisdom and truth. I was somewhat fortunate to have never needed to make the decision whether to work for Big Law. My law school's rank and my ranking within it keep me off their radar. Now as a solo and frequent contract attorney, I've seen the world you describe and what is does to some very smart lawyers. I agree there is a bigger problem with the profession, and the law schools, but in the end, you make your choice based on the facts you have. Bad facts. Bad decisions. Happy Blogging! 2nd Career Esq. A very cogent post. You did a great thing by being candid to this wide-eye seeker of wisdom and truth. I was somewhat fortunate to have never needed to make the decision whether to work for Big Law. My law school’s rank and my ranking within it keep me off their radar. Now as a solo and frequent contract attorney, I’ve seen the world you describe and what is does to some very smart lawyers. I agree there is a bigger problem with the profession, and the law schools, but in the end, you make your choice based on the facts you have. Bad facts. Bad decisions.

Happy Blogging!

2nd Career Esq.

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