Kids, Choose Law
Robert J. Spagnoletti

When my son, Hunter, was about 10 years old, I asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. He thought about it for a minute, and then announced he wanted to be a couch potato.

When he turned 14, I asked him the same question. This time he said he had decided on being either a comedian or a police officer. I was relieved; either one paid more than couch potato-ing. As for my younger son, Anthony, at 15 months I am pretty sure he wants to be a lion—or a horse.

As parents, we want our children to grow up happy, healthy, and independent. We give them love and support. We send them to the best schools we can afford and give them opportunities to learn. We tell them—and ourselves—that they can be anything they want when they grow up, and that we will be happy with their choice.

I really believe that. I don’t care what my boys do for a career, as long as they look forward to getting up every morning and making a difference in the world. Whether a doctor or a doorman, an engineer or electrician, they can have a positive impact on the people around them.

There is a small part of me that would love to see my kids go to law school. I have had the rare opportunity to see the practice of law from many different perspectives: as an attorney for the federal government; as the attorney general for the District of Columbia; as a partner in the law firm of Schertler & Onorato, L.L.P.; as a pro bono attorney; as the president of the D.C. Bar; and as a client. I have seen firsthand the many positive ways lawyers can impact their clients and their community, some of them I have highlighted in my column over the past year.

On the off chance that my children might be interested in following in their old man’s footsteps, I want to address some of their questions and concerns here, in my final “From the President” column.

Dad, lawyers work too hard.
You are absolutely right. Many lawyers do work hard. That’s because they have clients who depend on them and whose lives, freedom, and fortune hang in the balance. There is a special relationship between lawyers and their clients, and sometimes that means lawyers have to work longer and harder and put other things on hold while they take care of their clients’ needs.

We all have to work hard at maintaining a balanced life. That’s why I try to be home for dinner most nights, and I try not to miss any of your soccer games. Those things are just as important as my client matters. You can be a lawyer and have a full life.

But I don’t want to go to school for another three years.
Look on the bright side—that’s three more years before you have to go to work. Besides, you make lots of friends in law school, many of whom you will keep for the rest of your life. For example, just look at President Obama: he went to law school, and he is still working with many of his former classmates.

What about all those lawyer jokes?
Yes, there are an awful lot of lawyer jokes, many of which are just plain awful. Of course, there are a few awful lawyers who do awful things that make it easy to tell awful jokes. We can’t let them give all lawyers an awful reputation.

I don’t want to wear a suit and tie to work every day.
I completely understand. With a law degree, you can work at places that allow you to dress down. Or, better yet, you can start your own business and wear whatever you like.

Dad, can I really make a difference as a lawyer?
Yes, you can. As a lawyer, you can change the lives of millions of people, or just one. Lawyers made the arguments and brought the lawsuits that desegregated the schools, allowed interracial couples to marry, defined a woman’s right to choose, and shaped equal employment opportunity. Lawyers work with people who are in danger of losing their homes, their jobs, and their families. They stand by families in crisis, children in need of support, and victims of domestic violence. Lawyers defend those charged with crimes and assist the victims of those crimes seeking protection. Lawyers use their skills to structure transactions that help businesses start and grow, and they work with nonprofits to support their charitable missions. Yes, you can make a difference.

Are you glad you became a lawyer? Would you do it again?
Absolutely. When I finished law school I could not have imagined the opportunities that came with being a lawyer. Over the past 22 years, I have had the honor of standing up in court and representing the United States, the District of Columbia, and individuals. I have learned something new from each case and, along the way, I have met many wonderful—and some not so wonderful—people. I also had the honor and privilege of serving as D.C. Bar president, a position which gave me a birds-eye view of the many terrific things lawyers in the District of Columbia do each day.

I met amazing people who make a significant impact on those around them and do so even without public recognition. I also met some of the nation’s most brilliant legal minds and leaders in the law. Most importantly, I had the opportunity to work with the staff of the D.C. Bar and the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program who do a spectacular job supporting the 90,000-plus members of the Bar and thousands of volunteers serving on its many committees and sections.

So, kids, if being a comedian, couch potato, or lion doesn’t seem like the best way to go, take a look at law school.

Heck, I’ll even cover the tuition.