Ever since I made the decision to go to law school I have noticed something interesting...everyone has an opinion about lawyers and they feel the need to share those opinions once they find out you are even considering law school. In addition to their opinions you will also hear every lawyer joke ever told ad nauseum. This wouldn't be an issue if it weren't for the overwhelming negativity. It gets tiring listening to people enumerate the evils of my chosen profession. I actually once had a guy respond with “I’m sorry” when I told him that I was going to law school, he felt that strongly about lawyers. I have come to the conclusion that everyone (well at least the vast majority) hate lawyers that is until they need one. Though, at least one of my classmates would suggest that people hate lawyers even when they need them, maybe even more so because they need them.
Day in and day out I am subjected to opinions about what people think are the latest frivolous lawsuits..."can you believe that person hired a lawyer"...and so on. Personally I reserve judgment on (potential) cases because I don't have all the facts or the expertise to say whether there is a potentially valid claim. I know that the media never has all of the facts and it is pointless to speculate based on what they provide. Even in cases that are being or have been litigated the media rarely has or gives all the facts. I also know that there are rules that govern the profession of law designed to prevent or discourage so called frivolous law suits, that's not to say they don't happen, but I am generally willing to give the attorney's the benefit of the doubt. Is that an optimistic/idealistic take on the situation? Yeah probably so but then again that’s why I am in law school. I am optimistic about my ability to help people; it’s why I am becoming a lawyer.
I think the real problem is that lawyers get the blame for a lot of things that they don’t even decide, such as the amount of damages awarded in cases. Yes they ask for exorbitant amounts, it’s their job to get the most they can for their clients. What is not their job is actually determining the damages awarded, that is left in the hands of the jury or the judge. Furthermore, most cases end up settling for far less than the awarded damages, just because the jury says you get ten million doesn’t mean you actually do. Cases can drag on for years in the appeals process, so a favorable verdict may actually only result in a post judgment settlement.
Lawyers also get the blame for things like high insurance rates as if law suits are the cause of your car or home owners’ insurance company charging you more money. People fail to think about the fact that if an insurance company made the claims process easier and fairer there might not be a need for a lawyer to get involved. Instead insurance companies have set up a system designed to avoid paying as much as possible. Lawyers are brought into the process to protect the rights of the injured party to think about their interest rather than the insurance company’s bottom line. Also risk of high damage awards in certain fields, like medical malpractice, and certain areas of the country, i.e. Saint Clair and Madison County IL, drive up insurance premiums. If you want to place blame maybe you should put it on the shoulders of the insurance company who fails to provide a fair and just settlement. Or on the shoulders of the jury who hand out the excessive awards because it is after all it’s the insurance company’s money not a real persons.
Really the bottom line...I get it people think lawyers are evil...they also think being a lawyer means you’re rich...I don't need you to keep telling me over and over. Especially when it’s just not true. Many lawyers are really in it to help people and to protect people’s rights. And MOST lawyers are not rich but are struggling to make it just like everyone else.
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