Although it seems like only yesterday, three years ago I swore my oath and became an attorney.
For me, it was not a very pleasant day. I’ve had days-long, towels over the windows and hospital-grade migraines since I was a child and to avoid this from disrupting my exam performance I made a deal with myself (or with the devil, depending on what you believe) that if I didn’t get a migraine on either test day of the bar exam, I would happily accept one later without complaint. A bit misguided, I know, but in a stuffy room full of 400 people where you’re not even allowed to have water, a migraine seemed like a surefire way to fail.
Unfortunately for me, the bad side of this deal reared its ugly head on the day of the “swearing-in” ceremony, an event where candidates who passed the bar exam and meet all the other eligibility requirements stand up in front of their peers, their families and local judges and justices and take their oath of office.
It’s kind of a big deal. It’s the day that hundreds of people can finally cross off “become an attorney” from their to-do list.
While the ceremony itself is mostly a hazy memory filled with too bright lights, too hot of a room and too much noise, what I can’t forget is how happy everyone was—and how many tears were shed by proud parents, grandparents and the people we choose as family.
Truth be told, I haven’t really seen most of my classmates since that day. We reunited one last time to complete the path we started together and then scattered into the wind. Some of us went to the Big Law firms; wearing expensive suits and tight shoes that will be well-worn throughout our careers. Some went to the Public Defender’s or Prosecutor’s office—excited to defend, pursue and represent justice. Some went to smaller law firms; some to government agencies; and some (like me) just went wherever would take us.
Three years later, the landscape has certainly shifted.
If you’re a law student wondering what your future looks like as a new attorney, I’ve got good news: laws may change slowly, but your career can change in an instant. Your first job out of law school does not define your career, your interests do. You’re not worthless because you didn’t get a Big Law job, a position in your desired practice area, or even one you can be proud of—every experience is a stepping stone towards the person you are going to be.
If that’s too corny for you, know this: I can only think of a handful of people that haven’t changed jobs within the last three years (Thank you, LinkedIn.) The people in Big Law left because the hours and stress weren’t worth it; those in government agencies moved up or out to somewhere better suited to their needs; those in private practice left firms with cultures and business practices they didn’t believe in — people realized there was a difference between being paid well and being happy with the work they do.
Your time is approaching. There will be a day when you hold your right hand up and swear to uphold the laws of your state and country and only then will you understand: three years in law school is an eternity; three years in practice is an instant.
