Lawyer satisfaction

1. Lawyer satisfaction Eileen Doyle Crane, J.D. Utah Valley University

2. So You Want to Go to Law SchoolVideo Series • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMvARy0lBLE&feature=player_detailpage • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGiFWuDM_xE • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asaNVWwkFTg&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLE6BBF5F5F7FF9878 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky_IaBID42A&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLE6BBF5F5F7FF9878 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pRnE3cjWv8

3. Optimists v. Pessimists • Dr. Martin Seligman, PhD and Professor of Psychology at University of Pennsylvania: • Optimists are far more successful the pessimists. • Pro athletes with positive attitudes beat the spread more often, recover more quickly from set backs and tend to see problems as temporary rather than permanent. • Undergrad students with positive attitudes out perform the pessimistic students with similar SAT’s. • http://adriandayton.com/2010/10/are-lawyers-less-likely-to-be-happy/

4. Pessimists in Law • Pessimists do better at law • Study at University of Virginia Law School in 1990 with a variant of the optimism-pessimism test • Students were followed through three years of law school • The pessimistic law students on average faired better than their optimistic peers • Specifically, pessimists outperformed more optimistic students on the traditional measures of achievement, such as GPA and law journal success

5. Depression • Lawyers seem to be among the most depressed people in America: • In 1990, Johns Hopkins University studied major depressive disorder ("MDD") across 104 occupations. • While only about 3%-5% of the general population suffers from MDD, the prevalence of MDD exceeds 10% in five occupations: • 1)Data-entry keyers, 2) computer equipment operators, 3) typists, 4) pre-kindergarten and special education teachers, and 5) lawyers • Three occupations have statistically significant higher levels of MDD: lawyers, pre-kindergarten and special education teachers, and secretaries(when adjusted for age, gender, education levels) • Lawyers topped the list, suffering from MDD 3.6 times higher than non-lawyers • Researchers do not know whether lawyers are depressed because "persons at high risk for major depressive disorder" are attracted to the legal profession or because practicing law "causes or precipitates depression." • http://www.averyindex.com/happy_healthy_ethical.php

6. Anxiety • Multiple studies on mental health of lawyers: • Washington study found: • Elevated rates of anxiety, hostility, and paranoia among law students and lawyers • Higher levels of anxiety, social alienation and isolation, obsessive-compulsiveness, paranoid ideation, interpersonal sensitivity, phobic anxiety, and hostility in "alarming" rates among lawyers--rates many times higher than the national norms • OCD in general population: 1.42%; OCD among 21% of male lawyers and 15% of female lawyers • Generalized anxiety disorder: 4% of general population; 30% of males and 20% of female lawyers • North Carolina study found: • Over 25% had experienced physical symptoms of extreme anxiety (including trembling hands, racing hearts, clammy hands, and faintness) at least three times per month during the past year

7. Alcoholism • The Washington study: • 18% of lawyers were "problem drinkers," a percentage "almost twice the approximately 10 percent alcohol abuse and/or dependency prevalence rates estimated for adults in the United States." • The North Carolina study: • Almost 17% of lawyers admitted to drinking 3-5 alcoholic beverages every day. • One conservative estimate--15% of lawyers are alcoholics. • http://www.averyindex.com/happy_healthy_ethical.php

8. Drug Use • The Washington study found: • 26% of lawyers had used cocaine at least once, a rate over twice that of the general population • Only 1% of lawyers had "abused" cocaine, as compared to 3% of adults generally • One third of lawyers in Washington suffer from depression, problem drinking, or cocaine abuse • http://www.averyindex.com/happy_healthy_ethical.php

9. Marriage • Marriage is good for people • "The research on marriage is striking. • Married people: • Live longer • Have a lower risk of a variety of physical and psychological illnesses • Higher levels of career satisfaction • True for people generally and true for lawyers • Increases happiness and satisfaction with life • North Carolina study identified unmarried lawyers as one of three categories of lawyers least satisfied with their lives.

10. Divorce • Divorce is bad for people, • Both physically and psychologically • For women, economically • Divorced people die younger than either those who never marry or those who stay married. • The impact of getting divorced on life expectancy is "only slightly less harmful . . . than smoking a pack or more of cigarettes per day.“ • Divorced people suffer from cancer, cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases, respiratory illnesses, digestive system illnesses, and other acute conditions more frequently than do single, married, or widowed people. • Divorced people are far more likely to abuse alcohol or become alcoholic than those who have never been divorced. • Psychologically, divorce is devastating: "Of all the social variables relating to the incidence of psychiatric disorders, or psychopathology, in the population, none appears to be more crucial than marital status." • The separated and divorced suffer from psychiatric illness (such as depression and schizophrenia) far more than do the single, married, and widowed. • Men who are divorced or separated are admitted to hospitals for treatment of psychiatric disorders 21 times more frequently than married men. • The suicide rate of those who are divorced is almost triple the rate of those who are married, and significantly higher than the rates of those who have never married or been widowed. • http://www.averyindex.com/happy_healthy_ethical.php

11. Suicide • Lawyers reportedly think about committing suicide and commit suicide far more often than do non-lawyers • Death certificates of over 26,000 white male suicide victims by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health suggested that the suicide rate for white male lawyers may be over twice that of other white males • The Washington study reported that lawyers are more likely than the general population to experience suicidal ideation • “…At much greater risk of not only acting upon their suicidal ideation but of also being lethal during an attempt. • The North Carolina study found that 11% of lawyers had experienced suicidal ideation at least once a month for the past year. • http://www.averyindex.com/happy_healthy_ethical.php

12. General Health • Extremely limited information • Women attorneys who graduated from UC Davis between 1969-1985 found: • Those who worked more than 45 hours per week while pregnant suffered 3 times more miscarriages than those who worked less than 35 hours per week • Working 45-hour weeks is not only common in the legal profession, but in some sectors--particularly big firms--it is almost considered part-time. • Substantial numbers of lawyers report suffering from: • Physical symptoms of depression and anxiety, • Appetite loss, trembling hands, racing hearts, and the like. 59 • Do not exercise much • Suffer from ulcers, coronary artery disease, and hypertension in substantial numbers.

13. Five Myths • Becoming a lawyer is a guaranteed path to financial success • As a lawyer, I can eradicate injustice and affect societal change • I will make a great lawyer because I am good at arguing • Litigators lead a thrilling, high-powered and glamorous life • The work of a lawyer is intellectually challenging • http://legalcareers.about.com/od/practicetips/a/lawyermyths.htm

14. Reasons to Go to Law School • Bad Reasons to Go to Law School • To make a lot of money • For the job security • Because your parents are lawyers • Because you can't figure out what to do for a living • Because lawyers seem to have really cool jobs when you see them on TV and in the movies • Because you got a good score on the LSAT • For the intellectual stimulation (if you're taking out student loans or paying your own way) • Because you're going to save the world • Because you think it would be fun to be a student again • Good Reasons to Go to Law School • Because you like to help other people • Because you're interested in a job that involves a legally complex topic, such as intellectual property or tax • Because you've gotten a full scholarship, will graduate with no debt and have nothing better to do for the next three years • For the intellectual stimulation (if you have a full scholarship) • Because you want to work in a job that requires a law degree • http://www.lawyers.com/our-blog/archives/162-Why-Do-People-Want-to-Go-to-Law-School.html

15. Good Questions • Are you prepared to assume the financial burden of law school? • Are you prepared to dedicate 3+ years to continuing your education? • Do you perform well on tests in high pressure environments? • Are you comfortable with public speaking? • Do you like words? • Do you have an analytical mind? • Can you be available 24/7? • Are you prepared to develop clients and new business? • Can you sacrifice work-life balance? • Are you prepared to dress the part? • http://legalcareers.about.com/od/legalcareerbasics/a/BecomingaLawyer.htm

16. Quote "When work is a pleasure, life is a joy! When work is a duty, life is slavery.“ • Russian Playwright, Maxim Gorky

17. Testimonial I • I knew nothing about criminal law and said as much to a California federal court judge who wanted to appoint me to represent a woman facing forgery charges. I was a business and tax attorney in court that day for a calendar call. The judge saw my name on a pleading and appointed me. • The woman was about to plead guilty to 22 counts of forging signatures on Social Security checks. Her hearing was scheduled for 2 p.m. The judge told me to educate myself and if I needed more time, he could continue the case for a week. • I introduced myself to the defendant. She told me that she was guilty, and I asked her why she had forged the checks. "Because he told me to" was her answer. The "he" turned out to be the woman's husband, a Social Security recipient who was hospitalized in Texas. She handed me a letter her husband had written directing her to sign the checks and deposit them in their bank account. • Relying on what I learned in bills and notes class, I told her that an authorized signature wasn't forgery. At the 2 p.m. hearing I moved to vacate the woman's plea, offering her husband's letter as evidence. The government acquiesced and the case was dismissed. • It was at that precise moment of dismissal that I realized being a lawyer was about helping people who needed help. And I felt that I had found my calling in life. • Jay FoonbergBeverly Hills, Calif.

18. Testimonial II • I love being a lawyer because when I stand up before a jury and thank my clients for the privilege of representing them (and I usually feel pretty emotional whenever I say that, with chills) I realize I am being trusted to pre sent them, what they feel, what they believe. And I take that very seriously. • Anthony MinchellaMiddlebury, Conn.

19. Testimonial III • What I like about being a lawyer: being self-employed. • I feel so much more adult. No one writes me up if I get caught in traffic and walk in the door 15 seconds late in my own office. I don't have to ask if I can change my lunch time. I get to sit by the window, and if I want vacation time I can just plan it without having to ask the boss. • Diane StamlerOraifTuscaloosa, Ala.

20. Testimonial IV • Best job in the world: I get paid to read, write, think, talk and argue—all things I would do anyway. • Rick BallChicago • I love being a lawyer because I can make a difference in someone's life. I help people live debt-free. I've had clients tell me it's changed their life for the better, that they can sleep at night and stop fighting with their spouse about money. How awesome is that? • Jeena ChoSan Francisco

21. Testimonial V • Being a lawyer is the quintessential culmination of my previous work experience at shoveling horse manure, herding stubborn animals, sitting on my brains all day as an over-the-road truck driver, and putting together foolproof solutions as a software engineer—only to discover a new and improved fool. The fun part about being a lawyer is meeting other lawyers who have suffered even more than I have. • Why do I love being a lawyer? Because, once in a while, you get the opportunity to help someone who desperately needs your help. It feels good to be that person. • D.A. "Duke" DrouillardOmaha, Neb.

22. Testimonial VI • I love the creativity involved with handling virtually every case or matter. Law is a thinking profession, not just a doing job. • Shell BleiweissChicago • I get to think through problems every day for people I really like. • Lisa BabcockEast Lansing, Mich. http://www.abajournal.com/magazine/article/why_i_love_being_a_lawyer/

23. Testimonial VII • When I was an assistant state's attorney in Cook County and first assigned to handle felonies, I was given a dog of a case with stale evidence. The case involved a rape in a Chicago neighborhood known for prostitution. For various reasons the police had not worked up the case with the fervor of most serious criminal cases. • The victim claimed she had been raped by a taxicab driver who, after she got into his cab, drove into an alley, pulled up next to the wall and locked the doors— which had no inside handles. She claimed that he then slithered between bucket seats and, using a knife to threaten her, sexually assaulted her. • This rape in question occurred in the mid-1980s, and taxicabs with bucket seats were rare at the time. My trial partner and I investigated the case, and we found three men who witnessed the victim walking away naked from the alley wrapped only in a trash bag. She was bruised, crying and traumatized. We verified the taxi with bucket seats. At trial, we admitted into evidence a knife that was found at the scene of the defendant's arrest. • As it turned out, one juror convinced the 11 others that my partner and I had not proven our case because we had failed to provide fingerprints on the knife. • Feeling defeated, my partner and I turned to the victim with our sincerest apologies. But she wasn't upset. She hugged us both and thanked us profusely for believing in her and for fighting as hard as we had. • I knew then that I loved being a lawyer. I loved protecting people in a court of law. I loved the feeling of accomplishment I get from helping others fight—win or lose. • Patricia Brown HolmesChicago

24. Lawyer Jokes • After successfully passing the bar exam, a young man opened his own law office. One day he was sitting idle at his desk when his secretary announced that a Mr. Jones had arrived to see him."Show him right in!" the lawyer replied.As Mr. Jones was being ushered in the lawyer had an idea. He quickly picked up the phone and shouted into it "...and you tell them that we won't accept less then fifty thousand dollars, and don't even call me until you agree to that amount!"Slamming the phone down he stood up and greeted Mr. Jones, "Good morning, Mr. Jones, what can I do for you?""I'm from the telephone company, " Mr. Jones replied. "I'm here to connect that phone." • “You seem to be in some distress,” said the kindly judge to the witness. “Is anything the matter?” • “Well, your Honor,” said the witness, “I swore to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, but every time I try, some lawyer objects.” • How do you get a group of lawyers to smile for a picture? • Just say “Fees!” • How does an attorney sleep? • First he lies on one side, and then on the other • How can you tell when a lawyer is lying? • His lips are moving • What’s the difference between an attorney and a pit bull? • Jewelry • What do you call 5000 dead lawyers at the bottom of the ocean? • A good start

25. Lawyer Cartoons • http://www.stus.com/stus-cartoon.php?name=Antitrust+Law&cartoon=blg5827 • http://www.andertoons.com/cartoons/lawyer/ • http://www.mchumor.com/law_lawyer_cartoons.html