Arrogance 101

After a single week of law school I have already unraveled a mystery. Working with lawyers for most of my professional life, I have often been perplexed by the arrogance and superiority that emits from many in the legal profession. (Before proceeding, please note that I said "many" and not "all." If you are not one of the many, then please do not take offense.) When I finally decided to apply to law school and was ultimately accepted, I often joked that I would let my friends and colleagues know when I had completed Arrogance 101. Certainly it must be a class? Or tested on the bar exam? Otherwise, why would so many lawyers--who before were just average Joes--transform into these condescending, opulent creatures with more money than personality after appending "Esq." to their name?

After attending a week of orientation, which required reading, writing and studying; and after the initial shock of the workload required before we ever stepped into our first class, and after being challenged to "think on my feet" during the first day of class, I think I am getting a glimpse of where and when the arrogance takes root. It is here. It is in the process; in the tremendous amount of study, preparation, and writing that must take place to even show up for class. Because, if you're not prepared, you are told, "Don't show up." Oh, and by the way, if you miss too many classes, don't bother coming back. So, you can't miss class, but you can't show up unprepared. Thus, you must be prepared, which requires an inordinate amount of preparation on a nightly basis--just to stay caught up. I am not alluding to reading ahead or tweaking notes or extra curricular activities. No; the workload to simply stay caught up--i.e., ready for the next class--is overwhelming. After investing this amount of time, energy and effort into this goal; after losing sleep and skipping meals; after watching the world from a window while reading or writing or thinking or stressing; after getting up while it's dark and going to bed while it's dark--or not going to bed at all, I suppose that is where the transformation begins. It's in paying the dues, increasing in knowledge, and realizing that you can read, understand, and apply the law, which is one of the most powerful skills in our society. And this knowledge and power, coupled with the price you've paid to attain it, makes you feel superior.

Please do not read what I have not written. I certainly do not condone this attitude. Personally, I believe it is evidence of a shallow soul. I do not believe that one person is superior to another based on the trappings of society, academia, or pop culture. Once again, I do not believe that all lawyers or law students are guilty of this offense; but, to avoid its appeal takes great effort of self-control and inspection.

As for me, there are some wonderful people that I left in behind in rural North Carolina that I hope (in fact, I know) will "set me straight" (a great Southern phrase) should I get too big for my "breeches" (it's a Southern thing). And, I'd be willing to give them all permission to do so; but, truth be told, none of them need permission to remind me of who I am and how I got here, and most of them wouldn't ask for permission anyway. And that's fine with me.

The first week of law school is history. Ninety-five weeks to go before graduation; 105 weeks before the bar exam; and 113 weeks before the bar exam results.