Indianapolis, Indiana – It can be surprising to discover someone’s profession, especially when they choose to keep it under wraps. My neighbor, a lawyer, has been slow to reveal his legal background during our six years of friendship. Instead, we have focused our conversations on sports and craft beer. This led me to wonder how someone can excel as an attorney without a passion for the law.
To explore this further, I invited myself to dinner at another lawyer-friend’s house. I hoped to uncover the secret ingredient that made her such a successful attorney. However, I found myself captivated by her skillful creation of homemade pizza dough and unique toppings. It wasn’t the right moment to argue that lawyering should be taken more seriously.
Seeking a balanced perspective, I turned to a third friend who is known for her legal zeal. When I asked her about the distinction between viewing lawyering as a “job” versus a “vocation,” she responded with a polished comment about limiting work to a few hours of “intellectual stimulation.” This made me realize that discussing the topic further would be fruitless.
The perception of how lawyers approach their work is a contentious issue. I attended a Millennial-led discussion on divergent work needs and approaches, which turned into a disaster. It reinforced stereotypes about different generations: Millennials being viewed as fickle and lazy, while Boomers and Gen Xers were seen as set in their ways. This topic remains too sensitive to revisit at this time.
For some, maintaining a healthy separation between work and home life is essential. A book titled “Can’t Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation” argues that a combination of societal and historical factors has led to increased work hours and stress levels. The author proposes that the key to avoiding burnout is to treat work as a job rather than a vocation. Surprisingly, this advice was echoed by the best lawyers I surveyed.
It became evident that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to practicing law, and all perspectives are valid. However, this hasn’t stopped me from wanting to discuss the subject further. When the opportunity arises, I plan to engage my neighbor in conversations about proposed changes to trial rules or recent appellate decisions, hoping to pique his interest.
Ultimately, the passion one holds for the legal profession varies from person to person. Some may approach it with fervor, while others prioritize maintaining a work-life balance. Regardless, the article reminds us that there is much to explore and discuss when it comes to how lawyers perceive their work.
Kayla J. Goodfellow, an attorney with the Law Office of the Cincinnati Insurance Companies and a member of the DTCI Board of Directors, shares her personal reflections on the subject. Her opinions are her own and offer a valuable perspective on the topic.