Prescription for the Lawyer Blues
Manolo says, to the long time readers of the Manolo this story does not come as the surprise.
Almost a quarter of lawyers want to leave the profession because of stress and long hours, according to a survey published this week. The poll of 2,500 lawyers also indicates that assistant solicitors — those who are not partners — are even more unhappy, with more than a third wanting to give up their jobs. The YouGov survey for The Lawyer magazine confirms that there is widespread dissatisfaction with the work-life balance in law, despite record levels of pay.
As the long time readers of the Manolo remember, the Manolo addressed this very question more than the year ago, in his column for the Express of the Washington Post.
The heart of the Manolo, it goes out to those spirited young peoples, like the Ruby, who have found themselves in the legal profession, and who must now everyday push the giant stack of documents up the steep hill, the stack that everyday only grows larger while the summit only recedes further into the clouds.
Worse, what makes the futility doubly painful it is that while the young lawyers are pushing on the stack of papers, just outside the building, visible through the gilded windows of the senior partner’s corner office, it is the glorious warm day that is dying without them.
Is it the wonder then that so many of the lawyers fantasize about the escape, usually through such ridiculous and magical means as the writing of the best-selling legal thriller, one that will, quote, “make the Grisham look like Mary Poppins.”
Do not despair, young lawyers, the Dr. Manolo has the prescription for the feeling of ennui brought on by the knowledge of legal entropy…it is the shoes!
Yes, it is true, nothing cures the Don’t-Want-To-Be-The-Lawyer Blues like the new pair of the shoes, such as these incredibly beautiful silver open-toed shoes from the Sergio Rossi.
Beautiful? Yes!
Professional? No!
Kick Ass? Emphatically!
All the more reason to strap these onto your lawyerly feets and march them into the office of the managing partner and demand your “fair share”! Pronto, Old Man, chop chop!
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Comments
Sharon 17 years ago
Silver shoes seem to be all the rage this season. This is really one of the first pairs that I really like. I love the overall look and the bow also.
in la 17 years ago
I would totally wear these in my office! If they only made them in my size… :-) Hmm, hunting for big silver shoes…
Ann in La Plata 17 years ago
Molto bella!
Lilly 17 years ago
This was the greatest entry you have ever written.
Bridey 17 years ago
These are possibly the most beautiful shoes the Manolo has ever featured here. And if these fabulous shoes encourage more discontented lawyers to step up and step out, so much the better!
Ninjarina 17 years ago
And to think, here I am just dictating letters for the boss-man. He’s pretty casual though and lets me wear flip flops in the office (he’s come into work in workout clothes).
TheNeller 17 years ago
Stunning. Simply stunning.
I may have to save this post to a special folder…to be pulled out in 2 years. After my graduation from law school, before my passage of the bar exam, and hopefully during my gainful employment – pushing that stack of legal documents toward that ever-receding summit.
*sigh*
Isara 17 years ago
There’s a lot of shoes you post here which make me smile and look admiringly upon them. But this pair made my jaw drop open and breathe, “oooooh!”
the unfashionista 17 years ago
Sadly, one must continue to work at the grueling job where one does not see the light of day to be able to afford such superfabulousness.
I would rather work less and see the sun more, even if it is in the $20 flip-flops.
Such are the choices we make, I suppose.
Poochie 17 years ago
Dear Manolo,
I am a new blogger who has been inspired by your writing. I would love to be added as a link when you believe I am worthy.
I am at: http://shoedaydreams.blogspot.com/
I continue to be inspired by your words and driven to poverty by the fabulous shoes you find.
Thank you
Poochie
Manolo the Shoeblogger 17 years ago
Hello to the Poochie! Your blog is amusing, and so the Manolo has added you to his blogroll!
Mitch 17 years ago
Hmm, does the Manolo have something roughly equivalent for the male lawyer? He must be weary unto death of the American tip of the wing, and even of the cap of the toe or the blucher made on the English bench.
This question is of the rhetorical type, since the humble inquirer is an auditor of the technology of the information, and therefore, being a barbarian, can only with difficulty be induced to wear the clothing of any sort, let alone the superfantastic shoes. Indeed, he has expressed a fondness for the high-tops of the Chuck Taylor.
Miguelito 17 years ago
Manolo:
Do you not know of the pain you bring me each day? Yet you continue… why? I gaze upon the unearthly beauty of the shoes you reveal to me, day after day, and I feel driven to have them! Even though I am a man; even though it would mean a life of crime! What honest man could pay for such shoes? Such delicate “steps” from Heaven? Do you have no soul, Manolo? No heart?
Night after night, I dream about what sort of woman would fill such shoes– her grace, her grandure! How could I possess such a creature? Ahh, it could never be, but… I can possess her shoes. Even though they are more precious than King Midas’ treasure, I will have them.
A mere lawyer am I, but through hook, crook and law book, I will touch the feet of the angel. Thank you, Manolo. God bless.
Phyllis 17 years ago
Manolo, I think this blog post should be required reading for all those students charging into law schools, which are enjoying surging enrollments despite the grim realities of the legal profession.
la petite chou chou 17 years ago
at least lawyers can afford some of these shoes…and oh boy these ones are beautiful. I spend way more than i should on shoes and I don’t remember the last time I spent over $80 cause I’m just too poor.
It'stheRooo 17 years ago
Whew. As the price is truly the scandalous, those shoes are clearly the consolation for the Sisyphean paper pushing.
The associate might not want to wear those into the managing partner’s office, unless she likes to be chased down the hall into the nefarious cloakroom.
Surely the Manolo has read the genius of Jen Weiner’s “In Her Shoes”, with the associate with no life and the closets full of the Via Spiga and the Sigerson Morrison?
Although I don’t think even the heroine has these.
Ms. New Beauty 17 years ago
What a great entry! I definitely understand the new lawyer blues since I just graduated law school last month. But, I got out early. I did one summer in a big law firm, couldn’t take it, and decided never to be a lawyer. Now, I’m off to find a new career in fashion and beauty.
la petite chou chou 17 years ago
Wow…I wish I could say that after graduating ready to work as an editor in a publishing house a changed my mind and THATS why I’m stuck working in fashion…lol (of course, you have to consider mid-end retail to be fashion)