Law School Concept Get Out of My Head!

Image courtesy of thebestcolleges.org.

I'm getting that urge again. That crazy urge to apply, attend and complete law school. It really is ridiculously impossible at present. Here's what kicked it off.

I received an email message from Concord Law School of Kaplan University. Granted, I gave them my email address because I was strongly considering the school as an option about 5 years ago. But after I made my decision to NOT persue, I never expected to hear from them again. The email contained a survey about my thoughts when i was considering the school. Something in my gut, makes me think that it is a marketing ploy to dredge up that very feeling. How dare they try to manipulate me!

Anywho, I filled it out (like the sheep that I am) and now expect to hear from them again..and again...and again.

Oh, law school predeliction, I wish I knew how to quit you?!

~ Sylvie

Is Law School for Chumps?

One of the phrases I use in parenting my boys is "fill in the blank is for chumps." I have explained that a chump is someone who is easily convinced that something that's obnoxious or ridiculous is somehow cool, good, or right - I.e. "Face tattoos are for chumps." "Smoking is for chumps." "Cheating is for chumps." You get it. So do they. And they understand that mummy doesn't think they are chumps; so, she is dismayed when chump-like behavior is displayed. Although, I have to say that the other day, I overheard my 7 year old say that something was for "chums" and his older brother chuckled and corrected him.

I just read an interesting article at The New York Times called Are Law Schools and Bar Exams Necessary?  The piece brings into question whether actual schools accredited by the American Bar Association (which is basically a trade association for JDs) and the infamous Bar Exam (tool used to validate knowledge that should have been present when the JD was conferred by the law school) are really necessary to make sure that lawyers have the skills, talent and ability to serve US citizens. You can imagine the costs associated with schools, the exam and the profit-making enterprises (i.e., classes, books, training/review courses, tutoring services, etc.) surrounding both of these entities no matter what actual earning potential exists at any given time.

As you may recall from earlier posts/references, I am so the "wannabe law student." I want to be a lawyer. (It bears repeating - a lawyer NOT an attorney, mind you.) However at this time in my life (mid-40s, elementary-aged children, minimal cash flow), attending law school is simply not feasible. Which is really too bad - not just for me personally but for the greater good.

There are several "recovering attorneys" in the blogosphere as well as in the real world whom I have encountered. Many seem to find the work (research, reading, analyzing and writing) boring. I think this may be because they may extroverts who would prefer to be engaged with people either in meetings or in court. Maybe they don't really have an passion for simply helping others for the sake of helping others. Maybe their parents insisted on the pursuit of the J.D. and they didn't know how to say no. Maybe it was the scholarship they received and figured that they couldn't waste the offer. Could be anything. In any case, they seemed to have completed the requirement for reasons other than a thirst for learning about law and how to use it to serve and protect citizens.  In my heart of hearts, that is what I have. It is something I would do for the rest of my life.

My grade point average when I graduated from college with my bachelors degree in English was not horrible (full disclosure - it wasn't off the charts stellar either). Still, I loved the reading, the analysis, the writing (no surprise there). As a hobby and lifestyle, I have long had an interest in helping those less fortunate or disenfranchised. How I wished I had married those two passions and pursued the Juris Doctorate back in my twenties. Honestly, I don't want to necessarily get rich litigating and arguing cases. That is so NOT for me. Well the getting rich part, I'd take. The litigating and arguing, not so much. I'd rather enjoy the comforts of an easy and elegant life whilst protecting myself and others from financial predators or mistakes.

Not that I believe the J.D. is the be all-end all. Sure anyone can study (read/learn about) the law; and, I don't want to reiterate what I've already said on the matter. May I just say -

Image courtesy of art.com.

"Lord, please put me out of this misery and longing.

Either take away the desire;

or, show me the solution/resources that would make this dream a reality."

Meanwhile, I'd better go out and buy a pumpkin so my second grader can decorate it tonight. He has chosen Harry the Dirty Dog for his entry into the Storybook Pumpkin Contest at school. I'm thinking with a little pumpkin, some white paper, clear tape, a black marker and an empty irish oatmeal can, he will be golden. Also, must finalize costumes.

By the way, don't tell the boys; but, Halloween is for chumps.

10/31/11 - Update: Here is my lad's entry.

I caught a glimpse of some of the entry's and several were incredible - literally - incredible. My son did the lion's share of work on his entry and I am proud of his effort whilst he is proud of the little ribbon he earned for participating.

Happy Aniversary, Micha and Barry!

Michelle and Barack Obama celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary this past weekend. After seeing a Nightly News tease about their romantic dinner at a restaurant in Old Town Alexandria, my older son said, "Hey, 19 years! Just like you!" I agreed and added, "It looks like 1992 was a great year for people to get married." We watched the story and saw the President and First Lady smiling as they went from the car into the restaurant, then from the restaurant to the car. What a super example for my sons. Thank you, First Couple!


Later that night, as we were dressing for bed, I asked my husband if he saw the story of Micha and Barry. He had.

Me: That Michelle is living the dream, isn't she?

He: What do you mean?

Me: First, she has the smarts then put in the time, money and effort to earn a law degree (from Harvard!) and then puts forth the same effort to build a career in a sweet side of law (similar to the kind of law that I hope to practice someday) where the lawyer lends advice and uses skills and education to help folks acquire and protect their families and their assets. Then, whilst living her life, doing "the right thing" she is pursued by the interesting, intellectual, (dare I say, geeky), attractive fellow-Harvard grad (recently hired by her firm so she knows that he has passed a background check). He's a bit of a romantic and makes her smile. Her family likes and appreciates him. She marries him. They have two adorable daughters. She continues working. She moves into executive Public Relations career at big time operations and sits on the Board of Directors at a major company. All while maintaining stong familial bonds. He continues his public service pursuits. She becomes a senator's wife. Then, the president's wife. (Complete with date nights no less!)

Even now, 19 years into it, he looks her in the eye while she speaks and sometimes watches her mouth. He smiles at her when she isn't looking. His body language indicates that he is proud of her and delighted by her. He seems to genuinely enjoy her company - with the girls and without. He appears to love her and appreciate her contributions to his family and to the country. Moreover, she now spends most of her days doing work about which she feels passionate - Being Mom, Healthy Living Advocate and Supporting Military Families with Jill Biden (shout out to Dr. Biden - fellow English Major!) Her husband works out of their home office essentially and joins the family for dinner by 6:00 every night (unless he is travelling). Her mother can be in her presence within 45 minutes and is a rich supportive presence for her little girls. Her daughters attend a well appointed Friends school and they have trained secret service agents to guard them everywhere they go. They are free to have a happy safe childhood. Not too mention, all the other resources (willing friends and co-workers) who would be thrilled at the opportunity to assist her in ANY way. Plus, so much available time to pray, study, plan, meditate, write and look your best. Moreover, she has a law degree so she always has a profession that she can resume whenever she chooses. The real beauty part of it all is that she is quite aware that her position is fully a temporary situation so she can embrace it and relish it all the more. That right there is "the dream."

He: "Oh. I don't know if I'd call that "the dream."

Me: "I would."

INTJ - At Home, In Law, In Life

About 15 years ago, the company for which I worked bought a Meyers-Brigg (MBTI) program. Long story short - my responses indicated that I fall solidly in the Introversion-Intuititve-Thinking-Judging (INTJ) camp. At that time, I was very comfortable with the results and could even understand better about my approach to working effectively in that environment.


This morning I took a Jung-MeyersBrigss Assessment that is available on-line at Humanetrics.com. I was thinking that the lifechanges experiences spent since then have certainly made me more extroverted and more perceiving, as well. However, what I learned is that after 15 years, a move to a new coast, two babies that are three years apart, the transition from Corporate America management team member to Homemaker, and a bevy of other changes, I remain - INTJ. (Although, I must mention that my T is quite low and has likely moved more in the direction fo F. Not sure if that's a bad thing.)  I thought that was weird. I mean, I feel different - more mature, more grounded, more holistic, more authentic, much more open than I did at that time.


Then, I thought (at we INTJers tend to do) about my approach to raising our children and to homemaking. I know that it is rather different that the way many people I seem to view it. I was always perplexed when someone might pose the infamous "What do you do all day?" question. I would wonder if the person asking could really be that lazy (Are you kidding me? There are always matters that require attention in your domain), ignorant (How do you not know that there are hundreds of ways that you could make real improvements to your family's well-being and the time it could take to make things significantly better?), or boring (Do you really have no hobbies or interests? Is there nothing and no one that you want to  learn about?).


Now it makes sense. It's not their fault. I really am uncommon - statistically speaking - when it comes to my applying the INTJ's modus operandi to husbandkeeping, homemaking and parenting.

Another very amazing and interesting discovery at the Humetrics site is where it suggests two career fields that would suit me as an INTJ - Lawyer and Librarian. The astounding thing is that these two fields are indeed at the tip top on my list of what-I-want-to-be-when-I-grow-up, so to speak. The Librarian part comes as no surprise to anyone who knows me as a bibliophile. The surprise to some might be to know that, if I had the resources, I would be in Law School right now yesterday!

Let me clarify that the "Lawyer" that I have in mind for me is one who has studied the law, acquired expertise/certification and now advises clients as well as composing and reviewing contracts. I am NOT thinking of an "Attorney" or a litigator who now represents clients in court or in front of a judge trying to argue, persuade, defend and negotiate sentences. I'm pretty sure that wouldn't suit me.

The beauty part of earning a JD is that I would totally benefit from it personally - as would my family. I could impart some of my legal wisdom to my sons as well - particularly in the area of contracts for goods and services. Imagine rarely, if ever, having to pay for legal advice again. I'm thinking I could barter services, too. Also, it is something I could make a living at until I die. Really. I have to think of my future.

I wonder if it's common for the typology to stick for life. I wonder if people - particularly mothers - with JDs who are/were unhappily practicing law happened to be types other than INTJ. I wonder if it's really too late for me to attend Law School. I wonder if aquiring a Juris Doctorate via an on-line university is as bad an idea as it sounds. I wonder if I could carve out a few hours a day, most days for the next 3 years to acheive that goal. Of course, I could. I'd just have to re-prioritize a bit.

So, do INTJs really make good lawyers? Or do they just make good Law Students? Also, would it be impossible to do it all well?  Food for thought.