Saturday, January 21, 2006
The Destruction of Young Lawyers
The Wall Street Journal's excellent new law blog brings to our attention a new book, The Destruction of Young Lawyers by Douglas Litowitz, an Ohio lawyer and writer and former practitioner at Chicago’s Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal.
The New York Law Journal reviews the book and it is worth reading, but I most enjoyed the comments on the WSJ blog. Seems some people think that being a alienated associate results from being frustrated that the pursuit of money is so degrading, while I believe that the unvarnished "pursuit of money" culture in law firms turns off the young lawyers who were looking for meaning and service to the common good.
The Wall Street Journal's excellent new law blog brings to our attention a new book, The Destruction of Young Lawyers by Douglas Litowitz, an Ohio lawyer and writer and former practitioner at Chicago’s Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal.
The New York Law Journal reviews the book and it is worth reading, but I most enjoyed the comments on the WSJ blog. Seems some people think that being a alienated associate results from being frustrated that the pursuit of money is so degrading, while I believe that the unvarnished "pursuit of money" culture in law firms turns off the young lawyers who were looking for meaning and service to the common good.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Why or Why Do I Love Paris? Or Law?
Carolyn Elefant at My Shingle asks:
"Did biglaw attorneys ever want to practice law to begin with, or was law just an easy way to suppress other passions or avoid a deeper exploration of their desires. Or does the large firm, through its merciless, grinding caste system, kill young lawyers' vision of law as a noble, empowering
career that can change lives and promote justice?"
This is one of my theories: People go into law for one of two reasons -- either they are motivated to serve the public good or they are motivated to get rich.
Those who want to get rich become miserable, pessimistic, burnt-out rich guys in big law. Those who want to serve the public good either go into non-profit, public law or go out on their own and scrape by -- happily.
The big firms are factories exploiting the young and naive, the middle-aged and complacent, and the old, technically-proficient types for the financial benefit of the partnership. Don't you watch Boston Legal?
Didn't you sympathise with the guy who put the knife to Candace Bergen's neck? Fifteen years of service with no hope of partnership and not the least interest in the guy as a person with a problem...
Carolyn Elefant at My Shingle asks:
"Did biglaw attorneys ever want to practice law to begin with, or was law just an easy way to suppress other passions or avoid a deeper exploration of their desires. Or does the large firm, through its merciless, grinding caste system, kill young lawyers' vision of law as a noble, empowering
career that can change lives and promote justice?"
This is one of my theories: People go into law for one of two reasons -- either they are motivated to serve the public good or they are motivated to get rich.
Those who want to get rich become miserable, pessimistic, burnt-out rich guys in big law. Those who want to serve the public good either go into non-profit, public law or go out on their own and scrape by -- happily.
The big firms are factories exploiting the young and naive, the middle-aged and complacent, and the old, technically-proficient types for the financial benefit of the partnership. Don't you watch Boston Legal?
Didn't you sympathise with the guy who put the knife to Candace Bergen's neck? Fifteen years of service with no hope of partnership and not the least interest in the guy as a person with a problem...
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Generational Differences Used to Sell Product
Law firm managers are still grappling with the issue of generational differences (if not ignoring them) while the market is already using it to sell products. Reminds me of the first ball point pens sold in hallucinatory colors.
From a press release for an Internet product:
"In difference to the Boomer's lifestyle choice championing an effervescent fidelity for consumption, Generation Xers (popularly falling in the 1967-1977 birth-year bracket) have formally marked their territory. This territory is increasingly defined by "flex-time" and efficient business practices harnessing technology to increase productivity.
As Generation X steps forward to fill leadership posts vacated by Boomers enjoying their retirement, Xers find themselves on the cusp of a meaningful paradigm shift. It reflects their personal values which are heavily influenced by the desire to embrace efficient business practices while also pursuing the various passions in their lives..."
Law firm managers are still grappling with the issue of generational differences (if not ignoring them) while the market is already using it to sell products. Reminds me of the first ball point pens sold in hallucinatory colors.
From a press release for an Internet product:
"In difference to the Boomer's lifestyle choice championing an effervescent fidelity for consumption, Generation Xers (popularly falling in the 1967-1977 birth-year bracket) have formally marked their territory. This territory is increasingly defined by "flex-time" and efficient business practices harnessing technology to increase productivity.
As Generation X steps forward to fill leadership posts vacated by Boomers enjoying their retirement, Xers find themselves on the cusp of a meaningful paradigm shift. It reflects their personal values which are heavily influenced by the desire to embrace efficient business practices while also pursuing the various passions in their lives..."
