So, I spent the majority of my time at law school kicking myself for being there and wishing I could have made another choice, but after graduating, I've made one realization: I don't actually hate the legal system, just law school. That isn't to say that I don't sometimes think about doing something else. So far, I've considered high school teacher, guidance counselor, therapist, stay-at-home mom, etc... But really, the only job I've done for over a year that doesn't make me want to stab myself is legal work.
True, I haven't exactly done lawyering, per se, since I've only passed the Idaho bar and I live in Utah now, but I do associate/clerk work and have since 2008 and I love it. Some of it. Sometimes, I get annoyed when I have to work on a case for a client I think is stupid, but for the msot part, I like the challenge of it. I also like finding loopholes.
Also, I like legal writing a lot better now that my professor isn't there to watch me like a hawk and tell me how bad my writing is. Since I've started writing for actual firms, the majority of the time, my briefs are sufficiently convincing to the court. Of course, that may have something to do with the oral arguments presented by the actual attorneys, but after working for a judge, I'm fairly sure that the writing and argumetns play a large part. Maybe I'm just excited because the judge granted summary judgment in an estate case I worked on, or maybe I'm giving myself courage before the bar. Also... I'm not certain I want to do patent work. Trademark and copyrights are my passion, honestly. Patents are fine and writing them is like a puzzle, but sometimes I wonder if the PTO should just reject almost everything as obvious. I mean, some things really aren't that innovative, no matter how you present them.
So, I think that, having realized that I do know what I want to do with my life, I can go forward with renewed vigor. I still want to chill a bit before I start working full-time, since I'd like to have some time off to think and make sure this is what I want for my life. And maybe I still would like to a therapist, but I definitely would be fine with being a lawyer. I've also started thinking about starting my own little practice or something. I'd like to make a lot of money, but BigLaw doesn't appeal to me much anymore, unless it's in a D.C. firm. And even then, it would depend on the firm culture. But last time I interned, I felt like BigLaw was an extension of law school and law school was a nightmare for me. I want to feel like I'm helping people, using my people skills (be they non-existent or not) and advancing the profession, not just pushing papers as a cog in a giant organization or competing with all the other associates who all seem way smarter than me. So, dilemma. On one hand, I want a job where I can meet people my own age and make a ton of money, but I also want a lot of independence and the freedom to move in a direction I enjoy. Oh well, I suppose I'll start looking for a job on August 15th. That's the plan so far.
