This post caused me to think about my life outside the law, and come up with things I'm passionate about. But doesn't this presuppose that law students are passionate about the law? I realize if we're not this may not be a great line of work for us, but I also think a lot of us look at law school as a means to an end, that end being a particular line of work (which may or may not be actual practice).
For myself, I am passionate about the law. I find even those subjects that aren't high on my priority list to be fascinating (such as, dare I say it, Civil Procedure). But this isn't something I had in mind when I chose law school. It's something I picked up around my second week of school. My motivation for choosing law school was far different. It's an overriding, superceding passion: Justice.
The thought of a law firm life makes me throw up in my mouth a little. This is because, while it's not impossible, I don't think it would be easy to incorporate all my hopes and dreams for a better world. I realize I'm a little idealistic with all my, "I'm going to make a difference" talk, but you have to remember, I've worked in an area where I made a significant difference in people's lives. I've helped people change their lives, so how can I settle for anything less in my post-law school career?
Well the answer is that I can't. I can understand why lawyers are depressed, because if I had to work for a firm and do that kind of work, I'd want to shoot myself in the head, too.
This isn't to say that it's evil and nobody should do it, of course, but there's no way I could stomach such a life.
I think it comes down to what you are truly interested in. I honestly don't think I could do criminal defense work or property for too long. Although in just a few outings I have met people who are going into those areas for all the right reasons.
For me, I disagree with you about "firm life." And I think, as much as I hate the bad rap these lawyers get, that contracts work could be quite fun and rewarding.
I think the problem is that so many people, lawyers included, just let themselves get stuck in a job they are unhappy with and try to force themseves to make do. I am going to law school to get away from those kind of jobs. But considering the pressure we are put under now to be as good as we can, imagine doing that for years in a practice you can't stand. NO THANKS. I'll go back for a BA in Under-Water Basket Weaving first.
Of courst contracts work or whatever could be . . . but I don't see that happening for me. That's what I couldn't stand. I could even take a tiny firm, maybe, but anywhere I have all this pressure to bill 2400 hours per year? No way.
And of course I threw in a liberal dose of hyperbole. I exaggerate for effect.