New York Lawyer
July 10, 2003

Q:
Notwithstanding being packed with smart and highly educated people, for some reason big law firms have managed to become the most primitive, repressive and conservative workplaces in America. Everybody is expected to resign whatever talent he's got and devote himself exclusively at filling the partners' pockets no matter how unnecessary the game is.

Take me: I am an extraordinary dancer and am training to compete in the open dance world championship next year (and I have very good chances at making it in the finals). I am not stupid: I graduated with honors from college and law school, scored 179 on the LSAT and speak 4 languages fluently. The partners at the law firm I will be joining in the fall do not seem very supportive of my achievement. Rather, they consider it "not serious" (and so do my fellow associates - they should know I could make $2,000 a day if I gave private classes).

Why are people so obtuse in this business? To me, competing in a world championship shows talent, discipline, commitment, persistence, dedication, leadership, stress-management: law firms should pay extra to get all this. Am I wrong?

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A:

Maybe your future colleagues are balking at excessive self-absorption. Who knows � just be careful that in trumpeting your virtues you don't turn people off.

I think there are a couple of different issues that your question brings up. First, you seem to be torn about what career you actually want to have. And this is probably what bothers your colleagues, too: They're thinking, "Well, do you want to be a dancer or a lawyer?" And if you can make $2,000 a day giving private classes - why don't you?? I'm puzzled. You need to put your dance career into perspective, for yourself as well as for your colleagues. Is it a hobby? Or is it what you'd really rather be doing? Are you going to be happy in the law poring over research and wading through discovery, or will you daydream about polished dance floors and clever choreography?

In the law, commitment is king. Historically the law was considered a calling, almost like a religious mission, to which lawyers dedicated themselves wholly and without reservation. Many lawyers get into a tunnel vision thing, tending to discount other accomplishments, such as extracurricular activities or artistic achievements, and focus relentlessly on law, law, law. Often there isn't enough emphasis on being a well-rounded person. Therefore people who join a firm but publicize their credentials as "extraordinary dancers" and the like are going to confuse and annoy their gung-ho brothers and sisters in the law.

This brings us to a broader issue, involving the culture of law firms. I had a similar question from a recent graduate of law school, describing himself as a "very creative person," who is worried that he won't fit in with law firm culture. He wrote, "I have heard from many sources that firms tend to behave very poorly with anyone that does not fit their standards of conformity."

There are indeed many firms that look more favorably on people who fit a certain mold. Many people have complained to me that quirky personalities raise eyebrows and tend to provoke an allergic reaction from some workplaces. However, there are also firms that celebrate differences and welcome outside interests. This is all about the culture of a firm, that elusive mix of customs, rules, appearances and rituals -- everything from office d�cor to whether everyone is on a first name basis to what people wear. It's critically important to your happiness to wind up in a workplace where you feel comfortable and not like an outcast.

Thus it may be that this firm is not for you. You can find out the word on the street about other firms and perhaps find one where you will have a better likelihood of fitting in, to be celebrated for your champion dancing rather than marginalized. (When you visit firms, be alert: look around and pick up all the clues you can about how they treat people, whether they're loud and boisterous or quiet and restrained, to see if it's a place you're destined to like.)

However, the first task is for you to figure out whether you want to be cutting the rug or cutting up adversaries. If you do truly want to be a lawyer, whatever firm you join will benefit from your whole-hearted enthusiasm at work.

Sincerely,
Holly English
Principal Consultant, Values at Work