Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered
I don't know if i'm reading too much into this, but i feel some frustration and angst behind this post... probably stemming from the number of times you've had to justify the value of the work that you do. If i'm reading too much into this, then you can ignore this post altogether. If not...
I think you'll realize that this industry doesn't care. I don't mean it in a bitter or mean-spirited way, just an observation from the past 5 years of practice.
The industry as a whole is apathetic. You cannot convince others to see value in people or things (work) they don't care about. It's also impossible to convince others to see a problem when they themselves don't experience it first-hand (many people don't see a problem with our justice system, the fraternity, the perception of community law and community lawyers, pro bono, etc.).
Its why 'community' law is considered '****' law in forums like these... and why lawyers who choose to practice 'community' law are treated as second class citizens in the "fraternity".
As a fellow Chinatown lawyer - my experience is that the "fraternity" is unlikely to ever stop comparing big firms (good) with Chinatown law firms (bad).
You have to be able to see value in yourself and the work that you do. I thoroughly believe in the work that i do and i similarly believe that my work improves the lives of my clients in some way or other (you will never win all your cases, but there is value in closure...).
I feel a lot of pride when i represent SMEs and battered women. Internal recognition is what will keep you alive and kicking. If you are expecting external recognition for what you do - you're not going to get it. Not in this lifetime anyway.
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I absolutely agree on your point that as community lawyers, we have a sense of fulfilment helping individuals especially when our work would hugely make an impact on the lives of our clients. My work includes family and criminal law; I have to deal with the emotions of my clients and I do enjoy the challenge that stems from that. I just fail to see the point of comparing firms who serve FTSE100 clients and firms who assist battered battered women and children. I also have to add that the white noise stemming from external recognition can be very loud sometimes.
However, as idealistic as this sounds, I hope that the legal fraternity can avoid such comparisons so as to avoid situations where someone joins a big four corporate department as opposed to community law in a smaller firm even if that is something they would prefer doing. Perhaps law school professors ought to bring this message across to law students.