I like my job.

I have a confession: I like my job. I like being an attorney. And, gasp, I like being an associate. Perhaps more controversial: I loved law school.

Attorneys are notorious complainers about work (and don’t get me wrong, this profession is not for the faint of heart). Attorneys are stereotypically haters on law school (and, of course, law school isn’t for everyone). But, I’ve always struggled with this.

Eight years later (how’d that happen?), I still think so fondly of law school. Some of my best friends are from law school. It is an absolute joy to be able to share my successes with them and a critical outlet to be able to share my frustrations with them. The same goes for my friends and colleagues who are associates in Milwaukee and across the country.

Until mid-2019, I was truly happy and fulfilled as an associate. I often thought of myself as “the happy associate” in a world of people who seemed disgruntled with their jobs. I hit some bumps on that front, but now I am thrilled to be back: my job stimulates my mind and satisfies me professionally. I am happy with and enjoy my work.

Today, I got to really litigate and defend a client against a motion at a final pre-trial conference in federal court. I am still riding a high from that experience. I couldn’t wait to tell my law school friends about it. I couldn’t wait to share the experience with my parents (also attorneys) and my husband. Following the hearing, I got to finish up a brief (research and writing is my true professional love). I look forward to continued practice as a litigation associate (and beyond).

Maybe it’s the end-in-sight of the pandemic. Maybe it’s all the self-care and reflection I’ve been doing. Maybe it’s just the high of an engaging hearing. Regardless, I am grateful to have found this happiness again.

#associates #litigation #biglaw #lawschool #lawyerwellbeing