Up until now, the most frequently asked question has been why are you going to law school?

Over winter break, I noticed that the new #1 question is 'what kind of law will you practice?' Apparently, once you're halfway done people are forced to concede that you'll likely finish, and move on to the next boring question.

I label these questions boring because they are not really 'questions' in the sense of 'statement designed to elicit information'. Rather, they're almost always platforms for the questioner to express their opinion about why going to law school / being a lawyer stinks.

Despite this, I've always answered these questions accurately and sincerely. But recently, when I tell people I plan to practice X type of law, I notice they usually say "well, my uncle / mother / brother is a lawyer and they hate [whatever shit job they have, totally unrelated to my field of interest]"

While I do think many of the slings & arrows complained of by law students and lawyers are either self-induced or overstated, I have to admit the general public seems to have a hidden agenda to broadcast their negativity about the field of law. Why, oh why?

It's gotten to the point where I'm tempted to say 'no comment' just to forestall the inevitable reaction. Meanwhile, I'm still waiting for someone to ask 'so, are you studying anything interesting this semester?' That question, as far as I recall, has never been asked.

10 Jan 06