Experts & Views
Guest post: Law firm career success depends on your daddy's big contacts, nothing else
So... I was sent an email more than two months ago containing nothing but this attachment and a request to publish it. I apologise to the anonymous author for the delay. The post is a nice rant, pretty well-written and raises interesting points, although it's a bit short in supporting evidence. So, here goes, please enjoy or not and leave your thoughts in the comments.
Most of us, throughout our lives, are led to believe that, success is the fruit of hard work, dedication, commitment, common sense, intelligence and what not!
I am sorry to say, that the real world does not function like that! Success depends on your daddy’s contacts, your daddy’s coercive powers and how can your daddy contribute to future business in a law firm. However, you’re lucky it does not end here, success also depends on the experience you have, the opportunities presented to you, which is highly unlikely to have as a fresh graduate.
So, it seems like most kids, across the country, are struggling between the devil and the deep sea. The former being those kids who have daddy’s big contacts and the latter being the ones who have been in the rat race for 3+ years!
Do not dishearten yourself just as yet; you have a third way out. You think you can develop relations with the people you intern with and you may just make it one day. Although, what is one supposed to do when the devil and the deep sea meet you there as well.
Somehow, I am led to believe that one’s CGPA, one’s participation in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities has absolutely no value as compared to those people who always knew that daddy would help them out in the end and they would have a high paying job and a comfortable lifestyle while obviously they partied their way through law school.
I am positive that many students feel this way, and sometimes I wish there was something that could be done about it. I hope that someday, this attitude changes.
Due recognition be given to those who deserve it, as they did struggle during exams, they did their share of moot activity and debates and what not! They are not just looking for a job with a leather seat, a wooden desk and an air-conditioned office space but genuinely are in search of a future, a career!
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I think the only ones by and large affected by this "super-contact power" (let's call it that) are the ones in the middle. Who are just about average or above average and who could or could not get in based on luck/super-contact power.
Those who are at the top will recruited by law firms they aim at, or go do their BCL in Oxford or take up practice in courts they choose, and BECAUSE they're good, they will get what they want. I think if someone's claiming that they're really smart/hardworking/good and gaining employment is difficult for them, that's just a whole load of tosh. Either you aren't trying hard enough or you think your IQ is more than your ego.
The ones at the bottom are out of the race, of course with sufficient super contact power, they can get that job you slogged through 2 internships and 5 interview for too, but, how well they progress will remain to be seen. Besides, those are super minorities, and chances are, they probably don't stop you from getting a job (because let's not forget you're good at being a lawyer, if you weren't you wouldn't be getting out muscled anyway).
The middle ones are the ones most likely to get affected. But even then, considering all the opportunities out there, you should be able to get SOME job, maybe not the AMSS or AZB, but a Tatva or a Crestlaw kind of job is guaranteed, if you can't get those also, then: refer back to last para.
So let's face it. Nepotism exists no matter what, that's how life works, That's also how law school works (remember that faculty member who looooooved X or Y, and gave him/her a lot more marks then you for the same assignment of the same quality?), so can we please stop acting like little children and grow up?
I would have given it a 6 or a 7, maybe (and have done so now, so the vote average is reduced). If you disagree with the score, just sign in with (or create a free) Legally India account and you can rate the post too.
Best,
Kian
www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/dec/05/income-inequality-growing-faster-uk
What are we supposed to do now?????
Is there any way we can get good jobs without Dady syndrome :\
Somewhere I guess the problem lies with me. My problem of not being able to "seek someone's help" or "ask for work" from those I worked with during my internships. I find myself at a loss of words as to how to begin the conversation and what to say. No website gives me tips on "how to break the ice". Its been more than 2-3 years now. I doubt if they'll remember me. The energy or high hopes and aspirations I once had, are all a thing of the past now. Sometimes I wish I hadn't entered this field at all. What's the use of getting good grades all through 10 semesters, doing internships in good enough law firms, clearing AIBE when I still haven't got that "one" opportunity?
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