Most lawyers are well aware of the sad statistics relating to our profession.
As Steven Keeva writes in his book "Transforming Practices":
- Studies show that one in every four lawyers suffers from psychological distress of some kind;
- A California study showed a majority of lawyers saying that if they had the chance, they would not become lawyers again, and would not recommend law as a career for their own children;
- 15-18% of the nation's lawyers abuse alcohol or drugs, whereas the percentage of those who abuse in the population at large is 10%;
- Substance abuse is a factor in up to 75% of disciplinary complaints involving lawyers; and,
- A Johns Hopkins University study that looked at the incidence of depression among members of 105 different occupations found that lawyers topped the list.
When small groups of lawyers meet socially, inevitably their conversation turns to a discussion about the negative aspects of the practice of law or of having a legal career.
There are career counselors and outplacement specialists whose work is devoted entirely to helping unhappy lawyers change their jobs, switch firms, or find new careers. And, there are numerous books, articles and treatises written about what is NOT working in our profession.
The intent of this blog is NOT to focus on what is not working - - rather, it's focus is on what is working. The purpose of this blog is to help lawyers attain more fulfillment and greater satisfaction in their law practices and/or legal careers.
Therefore, the primary focus of this blog is NOT to "bad mouth" lawyers or the legal profession; nor to recite jokes about lawyers; nor to lament the fact that one endured the rigors of law school or became a lawyer; nor what is not working in one's practice, firm or company; and, it certainly is not to glorify the many unhappy lawyers who changed jobs or careers to "escape" the practice of law. Rather, the primary focus of this blog is to help lawyers (practicing law or in non-practicing legal careers) get more fulfillment and greater satisfaction in WHAT THEY ARE NOW DOING, WHERE THEY ARE DOING IT. In so many words, to make more "happy" lawyers, thus reversing (or, at least, diminishing) the statistics mentioned above.
It is our hope that at the end of a lawyer's day (or, at least, at the end of most days) the lawyer believes that he/she has had a a "good day;" and, that at the conclusion of a lawyer's career, the lawyer believes that he/she has had a satisfying and rewarding career.
Jerome M. Bame, Esq.
President and Senior Coach
Professional Business Coaches, Inc.
(Author of this Blog)
Postscript: Why, then, the name "Practicing Law Sucks"? Why not!
Recent Comments