Had finished reading this about a week ago as well (in addition to April 1865, below), and had some thoughts jotted down that I thought I would post on here. The book itself is not any special masterpiece; its a typical Grisham legal novel, where the background is law, but the plot generally revolves more around other events. Anyway, the book provided me a little opportunity to reflect on my present employment. The story centers on a recent law school graduate, from Yale Law, who goes to work for the largest firm in the world in New York City (its not as simple as that, but there's no reason to give anything away). The story itself, and its twists and turns, have nothing to do my reflection here. Rather, its the depiction of big law firm, big city life that draws me in, because how contrasting it is to my experience in the small firm, small city attorney career.
So many differences besides just the sheer volume of difference in attorneys. The stress, which you always hear about in law school, of billable hour requirements. I have no requirements for billable hours. Based on a formula, what I bring in, I earn. Simple, and lets me determine my level of insanity and workload. The space. The associates working in several in a quad-cubicle (I have a friend that started in this arrangement in a firm in Detroit. I was given my own office, that if I ever get around to furnishing, has enough room for a monster desk, a built in book case, extra storage cabinets, along with a love seat (again, if I ever decide to furnish beyond the desk and bookcase). The difference in technology. These large firms that provide company phones, smart phones for instant communication, high tech legal software for the computer. We don't subscribe to either Lexis or Westlaw, using the free service of Casemaker through the State Bar Association (works pretty well really). The computer in my office was bought over six years ago and has little hope of replacement until it crashes, we don't use voicemail due to the age of our phone system and wiring, have no internal network connecting the computers, and one of the partners here doesn't use email or own a cell phone. There are obviously, many, many more, obviously including the substantial difference in starting salary and potential salary.
In saying this, I don't intend to suggest that one experience/career is better than the other. They're just different. But my reflection leads to me, personally, to be grateful that this is where I ended up. Its part of my continuing realization that a big town would probably not work for me in many ways, and one way is that a large town and large firm (I know those don't always go hand in hand - but when I entered law school that crossed my mind, particularly when you start thinking about paying off student loans), would not be a good work experience for me. The experience requires a dedication to the job, that frankly, I don't want. Its not to say that I couldn't do if I had to, because I can and would, if that's what available and was required. But in my mind, it requires a dedication that almost makes you obsessed in part by your job, always thinking about it, everything centered around it and scheduled based on it. In other words, I think it trends towards making one defined by the job.
And I didn't want to be defined by whatever my job was, I wanted to be defined by things in my family and my community, not the occupation chosen to pay the bills. Thus, my experience with a small firm in a small city has been a huge blessing, because it allows me to pursue my other interests, allows me to even have other interests, allows me to avoid consumption by an occupation that can truly eat you up and spit you out in a few years if you're not careful.
I enjoy reading. It's always nice to read a quick read book like a Clancy or Grisham or some other popular author. It's nice when the book hits a chord, and makes you realize that you have much to be thankful for in your own life.
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