Lawyers: "Keep the Faith"

Virtually everyone knows that lawyers and attorneys have a terrible reputation among the general population. This is not new. One of the villains in William Shakespeare's Henry VI says, "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers." Also, Winston Churchill once said: "Lawyers occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened."

This is fine with me; I understand that as a general rule, the reputation is most likely deserved. But the impression I get from a few close relatives, and a recent encounter I had with a person I know quite well (and he knows me well too), got me thinking: either law school has turned me into someone deserving of the bad reputation, or I have never really been a good guy to begin with, or the bad perception runs a bit too thick in some people's blood.

Last week, I was in the bank when I saw a brother from my Ward (he's probably in his late 40s and is a successful construction contractor--owns his own business). As stated above, I know this man pretty well, and he knows me--we have played numerous basketball games together and I've had extended discussions with him about the gospel and about construction. So, I would hope he knows my character, as I feel it would be fair for me to say I know his character. As we met in the bank, we exchanged friendly hellos etc. As I was walking to my car in the parking lot, this brother stopped me to chat further. He asked if I was off for the summer (meaning out of law school on summer break). I confirmed his question. He then asked: "Are you working for your brother?" (All three of my brothers own their own successful construction companies too; I've worked in construction for 15 years; and this brother knows I work with my brothers to make extra money from time to time). But I answered his question by saying, "No, this is my last summer before I graduate from law school and I found a job working at a law firm, the firm has offered me a position for the foreseeable future." His response to this was somewhat odd to me; this good brother paused a moment, shook his head (one shake to the side), and said, "keep the faith man."

I honestly don't think I'm a faithless jerk who just so happens to also be an active member of the Church. So, I have wondered what this brother meant. Maybe I'm being over sensitive or something, but his comment struck me in such a way that I honestly think this good brother is sincerely concerned for my spiritual well-being just because I have chosen to be a lawyer. I guess I could have said, "Hey, you keep the faith too, my friend. I know how those construction sites can be." But I didn't because I already know he will keep the faith due to what I know about his character. Unfortunately, he doesn't feel the same about me.

What's worse, I believe my own grandfather has a similar impression--at least he use to. In fact, years ago one of my older cousins was carrying out plans to begin law school; but my grandfather single-handedly persuaded him not to.

So, do you think these impressions and comments are because of the bad reputation lawyers have in general? Or maybe some people just don't realize that good people can be lawyers too? I'm sure I don't have to list all the valiant and heroic men, past and present, who have been and are lawyers to prove my point. But I will list a few for those of you out there who hold the same sentiment as my friend from Church.

John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
Patrick Henry
Alexander Hamilton
Abraham Lincoln
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (a personal favorite/influence)
President J. Reuben Clark
President Howard W. Hunter
President James E. Faust (another favorite influence)
Elder Dallin H. Oaks