Who’s Who In Law 31
Ponte Vedra Recorder · November 12, 2015
Attaining fulfillment in the legal profession
3 strategies for
finding happiness
Money and status – these are the
achievements for which lawyers are
popularly known to aspire. And, indeed,
many do aspire and achieve those things,
but they’re not guaranteed to provide
happiness; far from it, according to new
research that includes data from 6,200
lawyers.
In fact, the research shows that lawyers
who are paid the least – those working
in public-service jobs – enjoy the highest levels of health and well-being. Meanwhile, partner-track jobs and high income
have nearly no correlation to happiness.
“Throughout the history of literature,
we’ve been given many examples illustrating the folly of blind ambition,” says
Arlene Krieger, a paralegal and literary
humorist who authored the novels, “Privileged Attorneys: Las Vegas Style,” an offkilter look at a family-run law firm, and
“Freedom Twice Lost,” which chronicles
the failures of the American legal system
involving a lawsuit given national attention (www.arlenesbooks.com).
“But lawyers aren’t like most people;
they’re sharks, at least that’s what so
many jokes and quotes have told us. Any
cut-throat lawyer wouldn’t want to tarnish this reputation, which is so valuable
in this competitive industry. Like it or
not, lawyers are like other people. If you
want to be happy in the legal profession,
you’ll need more than making partner.”
Want to be happy while working in
the legal field? Krieger offers some suggestions.
• Charity: High-powered, high-status
attorneys are not as happy as public service attorneys, whose work include law
reform organizations and legal services,
Settlement
Continued from 25
Annuity’s chief technology officer. “And
we’ll help people determine whether
they should sell, how many payments
they want to sell, and of course make
sure they get as much money as possible
as fast as possible.”
The website also explains how various federal and state laws exist to protect
you from doing anything foolish. Chief
among them: Even after you’ve accepted
an offer, a court judge who’s heard your
reasons for trading future payments for
an immediate lump sum must confirm
the sale is in your “best interest.”
“You can’t turn a structured settlement
into cash just because you’d like a new
car,” says Albert. “But things like buying
or repairing a home, starting a business,
funding a college education and paying
off debt can be acceptable.”
as well as in government agencies at all
levels. That includes educational and public international organizations, charities,
private public interest law firms and private law firms performing pro bono work.
“Those legal professionals do the work
because they believe in their work,”
Krieger says. “It’s not about the money for
them; their first form of currency is meaningful work. If you’re rich and unhappy
as a lawyer, try some pro bono work, or
something along those lines. Or, charity
work not related to law may be a nice
break for you.”
• Creative outlets: Legal professionals
tend to be intelligent, multidimensional
people. Given their commitment to their
profession, however, many do not cultivate other aspects of their personality.
“I don’t know where I’d be without ex-
pressing myself through my writing,” she
says. “It lets me exercise what I’m good at,
provides catharsis and lets me know that
there’s more to life than the legal world.”
• A nurturing environment: Publicservice lawyers drink less alcohol than
their higher-income peers, according to
the research. Ambition and the relentless pursuit of money and status can be
stressful, which can drive lawyers – who
are known for alcohol consumption – to
drink more. Of course, alcohol isn’t a reliable long-term solution for well-being.
“What has given me meaning and support is my family, which provides a loving and nurturing environment at home,”
Krieger says. “A reliable support system
is tremendously beneficial, but there are
other measures you can take if you don’t
have a network of loving people. Yoga,
meditation and other health measures,
such as exercise and nutritious eating, all
help you foster a wholesome lifestyle and
a more patient attitude.”
About Arlene Krieger
Arlene Krieger’s is the author of numerous books. Her latest “Privileged Attorneys: Las Vegas Style” (www.arlenesbooks.com), proves that lawyers can be
funny. Krieger received a Bachelor of Arts
degree in sociology from the University
of Arizona and a Bachelor of Science in
accounting from the University of Baltimore. She now works as a paralegal and
accountant. She is also the author of seven
published books, including “Little Anthony: My Journey, My Destiny,” which was
featured recently on ABC’s “The View.”
Little Anthony himself was spo FƖv