The concept of success is often narrowly defined, especially in professional fields. Ralph Waldo Emerson, the 19th-century transcendentalist, offered a broader perspective, suggesting success lies in making the world “a bit better.” This expansive view contrasts sharply with the more conventional, often materialistic, definitions prevalent in society, even today. Emerson emphasized the inherent power of the individual and nature in connecting with the divine, urging against evaluating life’s worth solely through external metrics like wealth or social status.
His contemporary, Henry David Thoreau, echoed this sentiment in his essay “Life Without Principle,” critiquing the “police of meaningless labor”—those who prioritize work solely for the sake of activity or financial gain. Thoreau viewed such work as soul-crushing, stifling the “poetry of life.” He advocated for a purposeful existence, defining livelihood in terms far exceeding typical societal norms. For Thoreau, much like Emerson, true success resided in discovering meaning within one’s life.
This brings us to a critical question for legal professionals: if success is indeed rooted in the meaning we derive from our lives, where do lawyers find theirs? Lawyers, trained in linear thought and accustomed to the structured environment of the judicial system, sometimes grapple with abstract concepts like personal meaning and nuanced perspectives. These might be perceived as distractions from the direct path to professional advancement. The legal profession often emphasizes clear hierarchies and defined career progression, instinctively pushing individuals towards the next rung on the ladder. However, profound meaning isn’t always found in the predictable next step.
Lawyer contemplating meaning in legal career
When asked about the Meaning Of A Lawyer’s life, an immediate response might be drawn from the attorney’s oath – a commitment “to support, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Or perhaps, from the preamble to the Rules of Professional Conduct, emphasizing a lawyer’s role as “an officer of the legal system and a public citizen having special responsibility for the quality of justice.” These are undoubtedly crucial aspects of a lawyer’s professional identity. But do they encapsulate the entirety of meaning for every lawyer? Could there be alternative sources of purpose?
Exploring Diverse Avenues of Meaning for Lawyers
Some lawyers seek meaning through a religious lens, connecting their professional duties to their faith. Historically, law and religion were intertwined, often indistinguishable. Foundational principles of modern law are indeed rooted in religious texts, such as the Ten Commandments. This spiritual dimension offers a framework for understanding justice, ethics, and the lawyer’s role in upholding moral order.
However, is meaning solely confined to religious faith or constitutional principles? This narrow view excludes many. Perhaps the search for meaning often errs by looking outward, neglecting the most crucial source: introspection. The complete answer to “what is the meaning of a lawyer” may be found within the individual lawyer themselves.
W. Somerset Maugham’s novel, “The Razor’s Edge,” offers a compelling narrative on this quest for personal meaning. The protagonist, Larry Darrell, a World War I veteran, embarks on a search for transcendent meaning after being disillusioned by his wartime experiences. His interactions with various characters reveal that meaning isn’t a universal, singular concept. It’s not necessarily tied to social status or wealth, although these can contribute to a greater purpose. The novel underscores that meaning is deeply personal, discovered individually, and not merely imposed by societal or religious doctrines. It can stem from any pursuit, whether grand or ordinary, as long as it resonates with the individual’s truth.
Redefining the Lawyer’s Path: Meaning Beyond the Traditional Arc
For lawyers, the meaning of their professional lives shouldn’t be limited to predefined paths established during law school. Law school provides essential training in legal systems and analytical thinking, but it’s a focused preparation for a vast and varied field. Beyond graduation, the realities of legal practice reveal a broader spectrum of possibilities. While a shared professional identity exists amongst lawyers, each lawyer’s life and their individual meaning are unique. Meaning is a pervasive element, potentially discoverable in every facet of life and work.
The essence of a lawyer’s meaning may not be confined to the law itself, religious texts, or external validation. It necessitates inward reflection, an honest assessment of what holds true significance and provides fulfillment at a particular juncture in life. Lawyers possess a versatile skillset that extends far beyond litigation and transactional work. A legal education cultivates problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and a nuanced understanding of societal structures and justice—transferable assets applicable to diverse endeavors, both within and outside the legal system.
The Evolving Nature of Meaning Across a Lawyer’s Career
The meaning we find in our lives is often dynamic, shifting with life’s phases. Early career aspirations may evolve as lawyers mature, whether they marry, have families, or experience changes in personal interests, goals, or health. Observing the career trajectories of peers reveals this fluidity. Many lawyers transition from their initial post-law school roles into different areas, and some even move outside the legal system entirely.
These shifts can be subtle or dramatic, lateral or vertical. A lawyer’s role might evolve from primary practitioner to supporting a spouse’s career, caring for family members, or mentoring other lawyers. Regularly reassessing personal priorities is crucial, and a legal background empowers lawyers to adapt, enhance their effectiveness, and achieve success in these evolving roles.
Finding meaning might involve a traditional progression – moving from private practice to the judiciary, academia, or transitioning out of law altogether to pursue other passions. While career paths may appear random in the moment, retrospective reflection often reveals patterns or serendipitous connections.
Ultimately, for some lawyers, meaning aligns perfectly with their initial expectations, perhaps spending their entire careers at one firm, cultivating deep, lasting relationships. Their chosen lifestyle and work style, though perhaps unconventional to others, may be deeply fulfilling. Solitude within the legal profession can also hold profound meaning. Thoreau’s “poetry of life” is, after all, a uniquely personal experience for each lawyer.
Regardless of the chosen path, a lawyer must align their strengths and weaknesses with their perceived purpose and then act on that purpose. Meaning discovered but not pursued remains merely an intellectual exercise. Why is this pursuit so vital? Because a life devoid of meaning often serves no one, including oneself. Even seemingly simple actions, like tending a garden, can yield benefits. A strong link exists between a meaningful, purposeful life and robust mental health. Individuals living thoughtfully, with joy and purpose, tend to be happier, healthier, and even live longer. We are inherently wired to live purposefully, to build civilizations, to seek meaning.
For lawyers, discovering meaning is synonymous with finding well-being. This requires intentional introspection, as our purpose isn’t solely externally defined. It might be Emerson’s “garden patch” or arguing landmark cases, contributing to societal redemption – dependent on life’s current season. Once discovered, this meaning, whatever it may be, should be pursued steadfastly, recognizing it as the cornerstone of mental health, well-being, and ultimately, a fulfilling definition of success.
About the Author
Travis Pickens is a seasoned attorney specializing in civil litigation, collaborative law, and legal ethics, practicing in Oklahoma City. He previously served as ethics counsel for the Oklahoma Bar Association and as a liaison to the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Assistance Program Committee. Mr. Pickens has also shared his expertise as an adjunct professor at the OCU School of Law and is currently a board member of the Oklahoma Academy of Collaborative Professionals.
References
- Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “What is Success?” The Complete Works, 1908.
- Thoreau, Henry David. “Life Without Principle.” The Atlantic, 1863.
- Attorney’s Oath, 5 O.S. Section 2.
- Preamble to the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct, 5 O.S. Appendix 3-A.
- Maugham, W. Somerset. The Razor’s Edge, 1944.
- Harvard Study of Adult Development, Harvard Medical School; Mineo, Liz, “Good Genes Are Nice but Joy is Better,” The Harvard Gazette, April 4, 2017; Haupt, Angela, “Can Your Mental Health Affect Your Longevity?” U.S. News and World Report, April 27, 2012; “What is Mental Health?” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.mentalhealth.gov.
