If I Knew Then...

"Mock Trials IS life," K reminded me late one night over a bowl of chips and salsa and week-old coffee at the local diner. I had been complaining about my lack of a social life since we seemed to spend all of our time holed up in dingy restaurants, staring at an out-of-date laptop, trying to out-clever college mock trial opponents.

Now I'm almost 10 years older, not much wiser, and once again mock trials IS life...except now they're real trials, with real lives at stake, and there's no K off of which to bounce every crazy idea that pops into my overly-active head.

I'm a litigator, and I love it. But I always think to myself, I wish I knew then what I know now. I wish I had understood how much of an impact my signature on those shiny student loan lines would have on my post-law school life. I wish someone would have told me about the legal job market, and the seemingly endless number of qualified attorneys submitting their resumés for even the most menial of law jobs. I wish I would have spoken with more women about their experiences, challenges and successes. It's not that I would have done anything differently (except maybe forgo that pair of Seven jeans I bought in law school since post-interest they ended up costing me one million dollars), but I would have been better prepared, less surprised, and less likely to have that "why does everyone hate me!" breakdown after my 751st rejection letter. (752 was no picnic either.)

So go ahead, show you're smarter than me by asking K & I those questions now. Should I go to a top ranked law school or the 3rd tier one that offered me a ridiculous amount of money? Should I do moot court or law review? Where can I go to get affordable suits that don't make me look like that tiny little teenage greeter trying to be a grown-up at Wet Seal?

The beauty of a blog is that if we don't know the answer, someone will.