Reflections from Law Student Dreams

To any young lawyers or law students who regularly check this blog only to discover that it is not regularly updated... I apologize.  When I first discovered Martindale Hubbard social network, I imagined and even dreamed that I would write at least bi-weekly updating a small but devoted group of followers on the toils of a university cop and part time law student.  I pictured being discovered by a senior partner at a firm who would say: "he reminds me of me", and offer me job provided that I finish law school and have the ability to learn and adapt. 

When Lori from Lexis contacted me and asked if I would post my blog on the Lexis New Lawyer Hub, I just knew that it was the beginning stages of my dream coming true.    Although I did not get a job offer from some senior partner who became nostalgic while reading my blog, I did get most of what I asked for this year.  I am in law school, which is a long time dream of mine.  I have a beautiful wife and happy nine-month old at home, also a dream of mine. Let me officially thank Lori, who really made me feel important by asking me to contribute to the New Lawyer Hub, which fulfilled another dream to write work that people, no matter how few, would read. 

This year has taught me that dreams cost.  For me, dreams have come at the price of many nights of sleep, many missed family outings, and at the cost of virtually all free time.  With so many hats to wear, it has been difficult to study and keep up with those around me.  This is the only reason why this blog is not updated at least twice a month. 

Although these dreams have been difficult to balance with the responsibilities of family and work, the challenge has been a blessing.  I am better for having tried, and even still better for not having given up.  This year has been a challenge and has caused me to reevaluate the reasons why I want to be in the profession of law.    

I have scratched off money and riches; I have learned that law may be lucrative, but it is nowhere near as lucrative as popular culture will have you believe.  I have scratched off status and prestige; I have spoken with many lawyers this year who are just as busy as I am and have very little time to enjoy the fruits of their labor (and what good is prestige if one cannot bask in it).  What is left of the things that brought me to law school is a love for the community I come from and the need to help.

I come from Gary, Indiana.  Not much good is said about Gary, but, I love it.  Through the law, it is possible to help a dying community be revitalized.  I think of Thurgood Marshall and the NAACP and groups like the Sothern Poverty Law Center who use the law to transform circumstances.  The profession of law allows its practitioners to fight for those less fortunate and give a voice to the people who are never heard. 

Well, It's back to studying for me.  Hope to update more in the future.  Thank you for participating in my dream.