The Beginning Of The End

Since I've been writing, and waiting for bar results, and failing, and studying, and waiting, and finally passing the bar, I've wondered what that would mean for my writing here. I've wondered because many of the blogs I've read over the past years have changed once the author passed the bar. Immediately, they become more careful. There are things that once could be shared with the world that can no longer. I wondered what it meant for me.

I'm beginning to learn what it means. I can't be as open about my life, because there's judgment all around. I could lose clients, collegues, and in the extreme case, my license, because of what I write.

I'm of two minds about it. One part of me says, "It's my right to publish my thoughts. 1st Amendment and all." The other part says, "I live in a very conservative state, where reputation matters above all." As much as I want to be different, to live more freely, I have to remember that I'd very much like a career in law.

As you know, I live in Alabama. It's hard to find a more conservative state than this one. Attorney advertisements are INCREDIBLY frowned upon. Here I'm not only advertising, I'm writing about the thoughts that I don't always share with others. I had enough ethical issues with helping my sister advertise her business, for fear it would reflect badly on me. In Alabama, you can be naughty, but only in a very tightly-closed circle.

Does this means I'll stop writing? Probably not. I've grown to love writing here. It's a freedom from writing in a very specific style, namely, lawyerly. I think that my tone and my topics might change though. I wish I didn't have to be this way, but I need to make a living. And making a living requires sacrifices.

For those who are lawyers out there and read this, can you tell me a bit about your experiences?