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In all seriousness, if we make decisions to #makelawbetter with complete disregard for lawyers' ability to make money, lawyers still will have the opportunity to make more money than most deserve.
Also, that life will suck for most.
Why do I say this?
A #thread
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Also, that life will suck for most.
Why do I say this?
A #thread
1/
Making changes to #makelawbetter for the regular people ignored by our current systems won't affect the BigLaw millionaires.
They will be just fine.
And, not sure they deserve the millions, but this also goes for CEOs of large public corps.
It's how things work.
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They will be just fine.
And, not sure they deserve the millions, but this also goes for CEOs of large public corps.
It's how things work.
2/
Also, most lawyers will not be BigLaw millionaires. I know this is hard for some to hear, but . . . this is true.
Chances you make it, *especially* if you a not a white male, are very, very, very low.
And, for those do "make it" in BigLaw? Practice is their life.
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Chances you make it, *especially* if you a not a white male, are very, very, very low.
And, for those do "make it" in BigLaw? Practice is their life.
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The current system doesn't build in mental health, taking care of kiddos, or aging parents days.
It just doesn't.
We have a system that forces you to make hard choices and those who pull down the big bucks in BigLaw for the most part choose their job. Over everything else.
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It just doesn't.
We have a system that forces you to make hard choices and those who pull down the big bucks in BigLaw for the most part choose their job. Over everything else.
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And, based on my now 22+ years in practice, the same applies to lawyers who serve regular people. Except, most of us don't pull down the big bucks.
We have systems that require lawyers to be ON all the time to meet ethical obligations and serve clients.
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We have systems that require lawyers to be ON all the time to meet ethical obligations and serve clients.
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We have a business model built on how many hours we clock which incentivizes us to clock the hours. You can't bill if you're with kiddos or helping parents.
AND, we have a system that prevents others from helping.
Imagine if other highly-qualified professionals could help?
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AND, we have a system that prevents others from helping.
Imagine if other highly-qualified professionals could help?
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A human lawyer has only so many hours in a day.
Add up all the human lawyers and multiply by a reasonable number of hours in a day and it will never be enough to meet the needs of real people with real problems who need help from people with some level of legal training.
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Add up all the human lawyers and multiply by a reasonable number of hours in a day and it will never be enough to meet the needs of real people with real problems who need help from people with some level of legal training.
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That we are so scared of losing our monopoly and would rather hold on to this pitiful life that most have rather than seek options that provide both exponential support for the work we can do and the help most people need?
Makes me sad beyond measure.
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Makes me sad beyond measure.
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We are our own worst enemies and with our track record, we clearly do not deserve the power we hold.
I call upon anyone & everyone who understands what is at stake to wield whatever power you have to instigate the conversation.
Our monopoly will not last. It is a failure.
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I call upon anyone & everyone who understands what is at stake to wield whatever power you have to instigate the conversation.
Our monopoly will not last. It is a failure.
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What side of history will you be on?
The opportunity to #makelawbetter? It is immediately before us.
Who will seize it?
10/10
The opportunity to #makelawbetter? It is immediately before us.
Who will seize it?
10/10
