FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOR ASPIRING YOUNG LAWYERS

Thubten Chodron, Buddhism for Beginners (Ithaca: Snow Lion, 2001) ("How can we pursue a career without attachment to reputation and wealth? How can we do business and also be ethical?" "If we deeply contemplate the transient and unpredictable nature of wealth, reputation, and worldly success, the belief that they'll bring us lasting happiness will fade. Then we can start to change our motivation for working. We can look at our work as service to society and as an opportunity to learn more about ourselves by interacting with others. Our work will thus become an occasion to practice the teachings that we mediate on. In this way, patience and cherishing others will not be traits we cultivate, but qualities we develop in daily life." "If we diminish our attachment, living ethically will be easier. As our priorities change, we will be fair in our business dealings and will not backbite to climb the corporate ladder. . . ." Id. at 88-89. Is what law schools and the legal profession defined as "being a successful lawyer" really meaningful? Is it a successful life? Might you want to consider what is the better path for you as a lawyer, and not let law schools and the legal profession define for you what a successful life as a lawyer is?).