Started work today. In a law firm. For the first time.

As expected, it was a little overwhelming. It is hard to reconcile basically knowing jack-shit with the idea that you have been in graduate school for 2 years on top of 4 years of college and another dozen or more years in primary and secondary school. On the other hand, everyone is really nice and it is sort of fun to learn practical stuff like how you are actually supposed to make money in this profession.

I obviously am not going to comment specifically or too often about things that happen while at work, however, I do want to capture this feeling of setting foot for the first time in a real law office doing the fundamental groundwork that will lead to settlements, motions, trials, or basically anything billable and leading to a solution for the client and a payoff for the firm. Unlike any job I’ve ever had, it is clear that I am destined to eventually become a moneymaker. I am no longer assigned regular duties to be performed daily. I basically have to generate work for myself. Sitting in the office alone is a problem.

I have an office. I have phone lines and email and my name is about to be attached to a plethora of cases. It is exciting and stomach churning and while before I was just sort of waiting in line at the amusement park after having spent a hell of a lot of money to get in, now I’m on the ride and the coaster is starting to move. I have mixed feelings and I’m a little nervous, but there is no turning back now and the best thing to do is enjoy the ride and make the admission price worth it.

Day two is tomorrow. Once I get into a routine, I have lots of supplemental posts about things like shopping for firm-appropriate clothing, etc. However, this week there is too much going on to give many updates. This was just an occasion worth remembering.

Cheers,
-jd