Kara Sears
Passion for law can be discovered in many ways, from previous hobbies, jobs, or personal experiences to pure chance. For some, it's about blending interests with legal practice, such as history, humour, architecture, and social development. Others are passionate about public service, holding corporations accountable, or fighting for human rights and social belonging. While some are drawn to the intellectual stimulation of legal argument and jurisprudence, others find fulfilment in helping clients through difficult times and seeking positive change. However, it's important to note that passion may lie outside the legal field, and law can provide a steady income to pursue those passions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Deep interest in the topic | Criminal law |
| Interest stemming from a previous job or personal experience | Property law |
| Interest stemming from a hobby | Sports law |
| Interest stemming from a course | Election law |
| Interest stemming from an independent writing project | Federal disaster law |
| Interest stemming from an internship | Immigration law |
| Interest stemming from a gut instinct | |
| Interest stemming from a desire to further economic justice |
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What You'll Learn
You're willing to put in the work
Passion can stem from an earlier hobby, a previous job, or personal experience. It can also arise by pure chance, such as a course selected because it sounded interesting, which then turns into a lifelong fascination.
If you are willing to put in the work, you may find that law is your passion. This means committing to researching the profession, perhaps by shadowing a lawyer or taking on an internship. It also means being open to learning about different areas of law and gaining experience in them, as you may find your passion in an unexpected area. For example, you might discover a passion for criminal law, sports law, or human rights law.
Even if you are passionate about law, you should be aware that a career in the field can be frustrating, with small victories. You may need to manage your expectations and be prepared to commit to the work, even when it feels challenging.
It is also worth noting that you don't necessarily need to be passionate about law to pursue it as a career. Passions can change over time, and it is possible to have a fulfilling career in law without it being your passion. You may find that law provides a stable career that allows you to pursue your passions outside of work.
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You're genuinely interested in the subject
If you're genuinely interested in the subject of law, it could be your passion. This interest may have stemmed from an earlier hobby, a previous job, or a personal experience. For example, one person developed an interest in sports law as a Boston Celtics fan, while another discovered their passion for property law by taking a seminar that blended their interests in history, humour, architecture, and social development.
However, it's important to note that passion is subjective and may change over time. Some people may not discover their passion for law until later in life or after trying out different careers. For instance, one person switched careers multiple times before settling on law, while another person initially pursued a different career before realising their passion for law.
If you're interested in the law, it's worth exploring this interest further to see if it develops into a passion. You can do this by taking relevant courses, gaining practical experience through internships or clerking roles, and researching different areas of law to find the one that aligns with your interests and values.
Additionally, it's worth considering that a job in law may not always feel passionate. Even those who are passionate about the law may experience periods of dissatisfaction or frustration. In these cases, it's important to manage your expectations and remember that passion can also be about voluntary commitment rather than just love for the work.
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You're committed to the cause
While the idea of passion may seem far-fetched for many lawyers, it is possible to find passion in, out, or above the law. For some, a passion for law stems from an earlier hobby, a previous job, or personal experience. For others, it arises by pure chance, such as taking a course that turns into a lifelong fascination.
One way to know if law is your passion is if you are committed to the cause. This means that you are willing to put in the work and make sacrifices for your legal career. You might find yourself voluntarily committing a significant amount of time and energy to your legal work, even when it is challenging or overwhelming. This could involve clerking at a state supreme court, interning at a DA's office, or taking on additional education or training to improve your skills and knowledge.
For example, one lawyer who is passionate about criminal law may be committed to serving justice on behalf of the community. They may find the pressure to "get it right" in criminal cases tremendously motivating and rewarding. Similarly, a lawyer passionate about human rights may be committed to fighting for social belonging, economic wellbeing, and freedom from violence for their clients. They may have a strong desire to make a difference in people's lives and ensure that their rights are respected and protected.
Another example could be a lawyer passionate about election law, who is committed to ensuring fair and equitable elections. They may have a deep interest in the legal and political nuances of the electoral process and want to ensure that everyone's vote counts. Alternatively, a lawyer passionate about property law may be committed to helping individuals and communities secure their rights to property and advocating for issues related to history, humor, architecture, and social development.
In all these cases, the lawyers' commitment to their specific areas of interest within the law demonstrates their passion for the profession. They are driven by a sense of purpose and dedication to their chosen cause, which fuels their legal careers and motivates them to persevere through challenges.
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You're passionate about a related field
If you are passionate about a related field, you may find that law is a natural progression or extension of your interests. For example, a passion for politics and public policy can lead to an interest in legal history and property law, as seen in the case of a legal historian who discovered their passion for law during a seminar in their second year of law school. Similarly, an interest in sports and the NBA draft process led a law student to research labour and antitrust law, eventually writing a law review article and joining a lawsuit against the NFL.
In some cases, a passion for a related field may develop alongside an interest in law. For instance, a student with a prior career they were passionate about found themselves equally engaged by the legal nuances of their work. This suggests that their passion for their original field was complemented by a developing interest in law.
Additionally, passions can change and evolve over time. It is not uncommon for individuals to change their career paths multiple times before discovering their true calling. For example, a student who was initially interested in fashion switched their major several times before settling on political science, which eventually led them to law school.
If you are passionate about a related field, it may be worth exploring how law intersects with that field. For instance, if you are passionate about economics and social justice, you may find that studying and practising law provides a framework for understanding and shaping society. Similarly, if you are passionate about human rights, you may discover a niche within the legal field, such as federal disaster law, that allows you to advocate for the rights of vulnerable communities in the context of climate change.
Exploring these connections between your passions and the law can help you determine if law is a field that truly aligns with your interests and values.
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You enjoy the work
Enjoying the work is a key indicator that law is your passion. While the idea of passion is somewhat elusive for many attorneys, it is possible to find passion in the law.
For some, a passion for law stems from an earlier hobby, a previous job, or a personal experience. For example, a Boston Celtics fan became interested in sports law when there was an effort to prohibit basketball players from jumping from high school to the NBA. This led them to research labor and antitrust law, write a law review article, and join a related lawsuit. In another instance, a lawyer found their passion in federal disaster law after being urged to do an independent writing project on climate change-related displacement.
Others may discover their passion for law during their legal studies. For example, one law student took a seminar on a whim during their second year, which helped them see how property law blended their interests in history, humor, architecture, and social development. Similarly, a course in legal history sparked a passion for law in a former electrical engineer who had an interest in politics and public policy.
In addition to enjoying the work, it is important to consider the day-to-day realities of a legal career. Law can be a frustrating profession with small victories, and it is important to manage your expectations. While some find passion in the law itself, others are passionate about using law as a tool to further their interests, such as economic justice and societal improvement.
If you are considering a career in law, it is important to learn about what being a lawyer entails. This can involve gaining practical experience through internships, clinics, or shadowing opportunities. By exploring different areas of law and gaining a deeper understanding of the work, you can make a more informed decision about whether a career in law aligns with your passions and interests.
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Frequently asked questions
You might not know if law is your passion until you try it. Some people find their passion in law school, taking a course that piques their interest, or through internships and other experiences. You can also explore your passions outside of work and see how the law can help you pursue them. For example, if you're passionate about public service and holding corporations accountable, the law can be a powerful tool to achieve those goals.
It's important to distinguish between being passionate about the law and being passionate about being a lawyer. Many lawyers are driven by the impact they can have on their clients' lives, the intellectual stimulation the profession provides, or the financial security it offers, rather than a love for the law itself.
Finding your niche within the law may involve experimentation and exploration. You can try out different areas of lawyering, take a variety of courses, or seek out mentors and professionals in the field to guide you. Reflect on your passions and interests outside of the law, and consider how they might intersect with legal practice.
While passion can be a driving force in your legal career, it's crucial to maintain a level of detachment and objectivity. The law can be disappointing at times, and an overly passionate approach may hinder your effectiveness as a lawyer. However, this balance is manageable, as some lawyers find their passion in helping clients navigate challenging moments, regardless of their personal feelings about the specifics of each case.
