The DC Legal Proletariat Isn't Rich - the Bourgeoisie Is

[Anonymous]

You would think that the legal profession fosters social mobility but instead it stifles it. The money is in ossified relationships and social circles. It may help to be educationally accomplished to you get in the door but success at a high level depends on access and that comes largely from your social background. The ones that move up without the background are lottery winners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're not proletariat. They're petite bourgeouisie.

I see this class more like trump and that ilk rather than biglaw drones.

Well you’re wrong. You’re confusing classist concepts like “nouveau riche” with actual Marxist thought.

There were lawyers in Marx’s day. They were well-off, but did not own the means of production. Marx referred to this group as petite bourgeoisie. It also included tradespeople and small shop owners.

[Anonymous]

Petite bourgeoisie or any bourgeoisie is not made up of working people. Especially people forced to work 90 hours a week. These people are more like peasants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Petite bourgeoisie or any bourgeoisie is not made up of working people. Especially people forced to work 90 hours a week. These people are more like peasants.

Do you mean working to support your extravagant lifestyle?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t know that the kind of law OP is describing existed until I moved to DC. I thought all lawyers helped you with your divorce or to sue someone because they injured you.

Same! I never heard of Biglaw until I read about it here.

[Anonymous]

God I tire so quickly of this sophomoric class warfare BS. Take it up on the law school distlist and leave the grownups alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:or shift to working on legal matters that may be less remunerative but closer to what they enjoy doing

Wait, you think most DC Big Law partners are not passionate about the substance of their work and don't truly love it?
I thought that is why they still work long hours as partners.

Are Hunton really passionate about expanding pollution or keeping tobacco viable?

And helping corporations merge into monopolies?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Petite bourgeoisie or any bourgeoisie is not made up of working people. Especially people forced to work 90 hours a week. These people are more like peasants.

Do you mean working to support your extravagant lifestyle?

I think most people in biglaw are pretty smart and aren't chasing a lifestyle per se. They chase their next professional brass rings - whether that is professional advancement, political office or some other lofty, prestigious goal. Biglaw management is adept at producing golden carrots. Lifestyle creep limits the options of folks on this ladder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t know that the kind of law OP is describing existed until I moved to DC. I thought all lawyers helped you with your divorce or to sue someone because they injured you.

DC BigLaw is an industry geared toward making rich people richer. They serve the rich and only a small portion of them are actually rich.

[Anonymous]

This discussion is inane. I’m so mad at myself for clicking on this link.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This discussion is inane. I’m so mad at myself for clicking on this link.

[Anonymous]

Highly paid wage slaves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Highly paid wage slaves.

Lifestyle choices. People retire early who were making way lower comp than what law partners make.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You would think that the legal profession fosters social mobility but instead it stifles it. The money is in ossified relationships and social circles. It may help to be educationally accomplished to you get in the door but success at a high level depends on access and that comes largely from your social background. The ones that move up without the background are lottery winners.

Usually ones who move up without the background are extremely charismatic, went to the right college/law school, really good at the work, and understands the business on both the law firm and corporate side.

[Anonymous]

"security depends on not being hit by a car or having an event that keeps you from working"

- not really. These people have insurance for these types of scenarios arios.