Draw Your Own Conclusions

The rejuvenated ABA Journal recently conducted an 800-lawyer survey, the results of which appeared in the October 2007 issue and on the Journal’s website. Some of the findings say a lot without having to say much at all. Consider the subtexts within respondents’ level of agreement with the following statements:

“I find the practice of law to be intellectually stimulating” — 81%
“I am satisfied with my career” — 55%

“I am satisfied with my career”
– Public-sector lawyers — 68%
– Big-firm lawyers — 44%

“I feel that my firm or organization values my contribution”
– White — 68%
– Non-white — 54%

“It’s harder to become a partner today than it used to be”
– Small firm — 35%
– Mid-sized firm — 46%
– Big firm — 83%

“The cost of litigation has become prohibitive in recent years”
– Big-firm lawyers — 76%
– In-house counsel — 85%

“In recent years, competition between firms has increased”
– Big-firm lawyers — 90%
– In-house counsel — 78%

“I would recommend a legal career to a young person”
– Less than three years in practice — 57%
– 3-5 years in practice — 59%
– 6-9 years in practice — 35%
– 10 years or more in practice — 42%

Comments

  1. Thank you for pointing this out, Jordan. I wonder how it compares to past years?

  2. Connie, I was curious about that myself. The article indicates this is the fourth such survey the Journal has conducted since 2001, but there are no links to previous results. It would be helpful to see the progression of responses over the years.