Running from the Law: Why Good Lawyers Are Getting Out of the Legal Profession [Paperback]

Deborah Arron (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Basing this book primarily on interviews and on her own personal experiences, former attorney Arron looks at why experienced and successful lawyers are dissatisfied with their profession and are leaving it in increasing numbers. She describes the economic and social barriers to leaving, and she shows how unhappy attorneys can overcome these obstacles and identify alternate careers or, failing that, better cope within the legal system. Although this is a problem that is grudgingly being recognized by the profession, readers may wonder whether the disaffection represents a more widespread phenomenon to which Arron only alludes to early on but never examines fully. Still, this book will comfort attorneys who may believe they are unusual in their unhappiness. However, the real readership should be present or prospective law students who yet have control over their professional destinies. Arron's book is highly recommended for all career planning and law libraries.
- Merlin Whiteman, Indiana Univ. Sch. of Law, Indianapolis
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

A well-written examination of lawyer dissatisfaction. Important lessons for those who are staying and those dying to get out -- Texas Bar Journal

Arron's book will provide some reassurance, some strength, and maybe some direction, for your next career -- California Lawyer

It would be a public service if you passed this book along to some bright kid headed for law school -- Wisconsin Lawyer

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: LawyerAvenue Press; 3 edition (September 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940675560
• ISBN-13: 978-0940675568
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #278,657 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good read for those thinking of making a change, August 21, 2005

By 

reenum (Kansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Running from the Law: Why Good Lawyers Are Getting Out of the Legal Profession (Paperback)

Arron's thesis is simple: Law today is a beastly profession, and that is why some of the best and brightest are getting out. This is part self-help book, part career guide. A lot of the feelings these people experienced such as ridicule and incredulity from families and co-workers are explored in detail. Finally, each person who's profiled in the book talks about how and why they changed to their current job.

I found it extremely informative, and the appendices were filled with URLs of websites that talk about changing from a legal career to another field. I highly recommend it.

40 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Other career choices, March 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Running From the Law: Why Good Lawyers Are Getting Out of the Legal Profession (Paperback)

I've pretty much read this book from cover to cover and feel that it gets close to touching upon what it is like to seek work other than in the law when you have a law degree. What the author does not really touch upon is the bias and resentment that some people face whey they figure out that law school may have been a mistake and they honestly try to find some other career or job. I, myself, got a law degree but was not offered the typical 'starter job' with a law firm after graduation. I was faced with almost $100,000 in school loan debt, the dashed hopes of my family and no 'law career.' The author only mentions that looking for non-legal jobs may be an emotional roller coaster. For me, as I am sure for some others, this doesn't even begin to describe it. The author doesn't mention the hatred and bile that other 'practicing attorneys' spew your way for wanting (financially needing) to leave the flock. The author doesn't really touch upon the resentment from those (who don't even have actual law degrees! ) encountered when seeking a non-legal job. That said, the author does try to give some hope by recounting the stories of successful people who've left the law: David E. Kelley is mentioned casually. One can't help but wonder whether the mistake of getting a law degree is something that society (non-lawyers, but especially attorneys) would ever let someone rectify. In my case, as opposed to the success stories in this book, it seems not.

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth getting, May 25, 2011

By 

Bill Herndon "Definitely not the smartest guy... (California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Running from the Law: Why Good Lawyers Are Getting Out of the Legal Profession (Paperback)

If this doesn't help talk you OUT of the decision to go into law, probably nothing will. But then, if it CAN talk you out of it, you shouldn't be doing in the the first place. Worth reading.