Quote From: queentweenSorry about the title- I know- there is a ton of stress in the legal field. In addition to the amount in work, there are the ignorant cracks about it from idiots who were in trouble, went to a lawyer adn were in so deep that nothing could save them- so they take pot shots.....
Divorce is a sticky biz- my brother is an attorney, and practices ONLY in the business field- as he says, "Business law, nobody gets too caught up in it because you aren't taking their kids away...." And hes right. Have you thought about checking out the social work aspect? I don't know about the UK, but we are STARVING for legal aid attorneys in the US, no one defends the poor, who need it the most. No, you wouldn't make nearly the money you are making now, but you would be able to enact change within peoples lives. I do a little volunteer work as a reader (reading and interpreting legal jargon to people who didn't have the educational opportunities I did) and its pretty fun and very rewarding. Plus, you meet people you might not come into contact with on a daily basis. Then again, I have a MFA, have had several businesses and I sell sex toys at home parties, which is not traditional but REALLY fun!!!! What the hell- life is great!! :)
I did legal aid work for 4 years and I have to confess, I hated it. For several reasons.
Firstly, it seemed to me that the taxpayer was footing the bill for the ridiculous and stupid battles which couples have when splitting up. Usually, it's about the kids ; the parent with care will often seek to limit contact between the kids and the other parent - not because that assists the kids in any way, but because it's a way of extending their personal, emotional struggle. It's also a way of gaining power over the other parent (do what I say or you won't see little Johnny again). I was so firmly against that kind of juvenile behaviour that I refused to do children work ever again.
Secondly, lawyers have such high targets to meet that doing legal aid work (which is state-subsidised and therefore appallingly badly paid) means that you have to do an average of 12 hours every day to meet the same targets as a commercial lawyer could meet in 5 hours.
Not my idea of fun, I have to say. I don't deny that there are many who need help to navigate the legal system but there are also many who need someone to tell them"Stop being so stupid and grow up".
No, my idea of doing something meaningful lies elsewhere but I'm not sure where. Maybe I'll write the next Harry Potter series ?
