Why are Lawyers on TV Called Actors and Not Attorneys?
I admit that I’m a “Law & Order” junkie. Nothing beats Executive Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy standing in the middle of a packed courtroom with the defendant sitting in the witness box. It is only a matter of time before McCoy’s questions finally frustrate the defendant enough to where he stands up in the jury box and admits that he killed his wife. The courtroom gasps, the judge bangs her gavel, and McCoy raises his eyebrows in his patented “bewildered look.”
If only a trial were that easy.
The fact is that trials are nothing like the ones portrayed in “Law & Order.” Lawyers do not dramatically stand in the middle of a courtroom, defendants do not suddenly feel guilty on the witness stand, the courtroom is hardly ever packed, and nobody is there to keep your hair perfect and your suits expensive. All too often, students get caught up in the dramatic portrayal on TV and think to themselves, “I really want to do that.” I know several people who have declared themselves as Prelaw because of “Law & Order” and Pre-Med because of “E.R.” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” I can only shake my head and wait until they begin to take junior level Chemistry and realize that a career in medicine is not for them.
Now, you are probably wondering, “Well, jeez, what is this guy getting at?” Well, here is my message my skeptical friend. Intern. Volunteer. Find something that will give you an accurate idea of the profession that you want to go into, and do your future job without pay. Do this early in your college career. Do it during the summer or just five hours out of the week during school. You may think that having a paying job will be more beneficial, but saving money on classes and having that extra notch on the résumé will be well worth it.
I had to go through this experience personally. The summer before my senior year of High School, I attempted to get a minimum wage job. However, my parents pressured me to find an internship in Tarrant County Courthouse. My jaded mind thought I would see Jack McCoy standing in the courtroom in all his glory, but that was not to be. For the first couple of days, I thought to myself, “There is no way I want to do this stuff for a living.” However, things changed. I began to understand the routines of the courtroom. I learned the tricks and games involved with a trial. I learned the importance of communication. And I learned that I loved law. Without that internship, I would have never given law a second chance once the Jack McCoy image was shattered. I cannot thank my parents enough for making me stick with the internship because I learned what my true passions were. I urge all of you to at least intern somewhere so you can find a profession that makes you truly happy.