‘Lawyer’ Ranks 6th of Best Jobs for Introverts

TrumpTower
May 23, 2008 6:52 AM CST

I’d comment but I’m too shy to do so.

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Introverted lawyer
May 23, 2008 6:56 AM CST

I’d wager that that’s true only for corporate lawyers.  An introvert would not make for a happy litigator.

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Brian
May 23, 2008 7:23 AM CST

As an introvert, I usually play the part of an extrovert in litigation situations.

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Not so fast
May 23, 2008 7:56 AM CST

It depends what you mean by “best.”  Sure, introverts may be suited to law, but at what cost?  Take an introvert with their powers of analysis, including self-dissection, an teach him to refine and grow those powers through legal training and what you often end up with is a miserable, overly self-critical individual prone to depression, substance abuse, etc., etc.  Law may not be the “best” for an introvert by all definitions of the word.

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Scout -- still smiling
May 23, 2008 9:00 AM CST

Kabuki theatre—that’s brilliant. Thanks for the Friday laugh.

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mIKE
May 23, 2008 9:23 AM CST

The problem with being an introvert lawyer is that even though you may be good at doing the job, you’re not so good at GETTING the job.

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best commentator ever
May 23, 2008 9:34 AM CST

Actually, 6th place for lawyers is not what the article says. When ranked for earnings, projected growth and number of openings, lawyers do come in at #6 for introverts; when ranked for earnings alone, lawyers come in at #2.  READ THE ACTUAL STORY UNTIL THE END, PLEASE BEFORE RETYPING IT.

Thanks, Debbie for inaccurate reporting once again. Go ahead, Molly remove my comment.

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INTJ
May 23, 2008 9:40 AM CST

I agree with 11.  This personality type may create some obstacles in that regard.  Also, I wonder how true this is for all types of lawyers—from the in-house counsel to the biglaw associate to the solo practicioner to the government agency lawyer—does this really apply to all?

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Peter L. Wanger
May 23, 2008 11:23 AM CST

I am an introvert who has practiced transactional law for 32 years. I think introversion is better for transactional lawyers and extroversion is better for litigators. But I agree that getting a job and getting clients is harder for an introvert because of our lesser degree of social skills.

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Matt
May 23, 2008 11:56 AM CST

As a computer engineer and a lawyer, I feel like this list is based more on stereotypes and high-school-level “classism” than reality.  Lots of programmers and lawyers are extremely outgoing, and lots of sales people, accountants, doctors, etc. can be very introverted except in certain capacities of their jobs.

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The Captain
May 23, 2008 12:13 PM CST

Funny. I’m a part time law student and my current job is accounting software.

I’ve never thought of myself as an introvert, but maybe I should ask others. I tend to agree with #18. I was surprised at many of the similarities with legal work and writing software - some of the things my colleagues struggle greatly with are a breeze for m.e

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Julie
May 23, 2008 12:54 PM CST

I am an introvert of long standing. I am also a family law lawyer. I find my profession draws me out of myself and makes me more social. I may not be the most scintllating litigator, however my true interest is in collaborative law and mediation.

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mythoughts
May 23, 2008 10:22 PM CST

#3 (and perhaps others as i have not read all the responses).  I had a trial methods class in law school wherein a very successful criminal trial attorney taught the class.  We took the Myers-Briggs test and he explained it.  He said he is an off the charts introvert, most introvert rating you can get.  And, he is AN AMAZING TRIAL ATTORNEY.  He gave an impromtu closing argument in our class (yes it was impromptu because I asked him to on the spot and he was shocked).  He was INCREDIBLE.  He also was an amazing teacher and very successful trial attorney.  He explained it very well.  He said introverts don’t mean you are shy.  Being an introvert means that you reenergize yourself through yourself (and not others).  Meaning at the end of a hard day, you draw upon your inner resouces to regain your energy.  Extroverts do the opposite, in that at the end of the day they draw upon other people to reenergize yourself, which is why extroverts are considered more social from the surface.  But you can have an extremely shy extrovert.  Interestingly, my sister is a shy extrovert.  She always has to surround herself with people (to avoid feeling lonely) but she is very awkward in social settings.  I’m the opposite.  I need to take a break from people from time to time, which makes me an introvert.  I’m so glad someone explained this to me well.  Because I’m a trial lawyer and yes I’m an introvert.  Before someone explained this to me I always felt I had to say I’m and extrovert becuase I speak in public but that in actuality has nothing to do with it.  Hope this makes sense.  :)

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NCLawyer
May 26, 2008 10:45 AM CST

#25, I’d say you’re right on the money.  In the long lonely hours building up to trial it’s better for you if you don’t need constant input or affirmation or attention from others.  There is only one extrovert attorney in our firm and he is a stellar negotiator (way way better than I am).  During trial preparation or preparation for a hearing on an important motion, however, he drives the introverts (and all of the staff) crazy with “what about this? have you seen this? where is the ___? i changed my mind, can you get me this?”  Admittedly not all of that is due to extroversion, some of it is due to a shorter attention span. But the need to talk to other people in order to get work done is anathema to the introverts in our building.

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