Practicing Laywers: Are You Happy? And Why/Why Not?

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<p>I can't seem to get much of a response to this on the law school forum, so I figured I'd post it here. This board seems to get more "action," anyhow.</p>

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<p>I've been reading a lot of research lately that claims a <em>majority</em> of practicing lawyers are dissastisfied with their work. This seems especially true of lawyers who work in "biglaw," though it is certainly not limited to them.</p>

<p>So, my question to all the practicing lawyers out there who read this board: are you happy? If you could do it all over again, would you still go to law school? Is the debt load/work load balanced out by the intellectual stimulation and prestige that is <em>assumed</em> to come with being a practicing lawyer? Or is all that just a mirage?</p>

<p>Lastly, please specify what type of law/what size practice you are in when answering. I'm curious to see if indeed the "biglaw" folks are less happy than those at smaller firms or those doing government and public interest work.</p>

<p>And if you are happy, tell us why!</p>

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<p>I think this just stems from the personality type they attract TBH. I mean "complaint" is itself a legal term that made it into everyday vernacular, perhaps from all the complaining lawyers do both within and without the workplace.</p>

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<p>LOL, you make a good point.</p>

<p>Anyone else out there want to chime in?</p>