Dispelling stereotypes of lawyers in today's world.

• Jurisdiction: United States
• Date: 01 April 2008
• Author: Marchetti, Jr., L. Gino
• Published date: 01 April 2008
• Author: Marchetti, Jr., L. Gino

Is it hard being a lawyer? How did you decide to be a lawyer? What's the most difficult case you've ever handled? These are all questions asked by high school students. Twice a year, I attend the Virtual School of Law at Vanderbilt University, through videoconferencing, with high schools throughout the United States and Canada. Usually, the audience consists of seniors in high school from five or six different schools in different cities. It gives these high school students an opportunity to ask questions and explore a possible career in the law.

Of all these questions, perhaps the one by which I was most taken aback was a question asked by a senior from a high school in Texas. She asked, "How do you deal with the stereotypes of lawyers, and how does that make you feel?" I asked this student to repeat the question as I didn't understand it. She said something to the effect of, "You know being compared to 'sharks' and not having an honest reputation and only interested in money and winning at any cost." Wow! I was a bit taken aback by this question. During the years that I've participated in this virtual program, the questions are similar to those above...