International Be Kind to Lawyers Day – 11 April 2023
Overview
International Be Kind to Lawyers Day takes place on the 2nd
Tuesday of April. Although
lawyers have a bad reputation among the general public, it is an important
profession for society as well as the justice system.
The general public has mocked and seen it as an evil occupation. This
profession is based on the idea that the public is being exploited by
lawyers who charge huge fees and have the goal of winning the case. However,
this day is about spreading the awareness that many of these myths exist and
that not all lawyers practice law with ethics.
History For International Be Kind To Lawyers Day
Steve Hughes, a public-speaking coach, established
International Be Kind to Lawyers Day (28 September 2008). Hughes
collaborated with many lawyers in order to improve their public speaking
skills. He discovered that people often have negative views of the legal
profession after Hughes explained how he had worked with so many.
Hughes believed lawyers should be treated with respect, admiration, and love
at least once a day. The second Tuesday in April was chosen by Hughes
because it fell between two other holidays that had negative connotations:
April Fool's Day, 1 April, and U.S. Tax Day, 15 April. He may have been
trying to make lawyers look more attractive.
This holiday is international, so everyone has agreed to set aside one day
each year where we will not make lawyer jokes or attempt any other niceties.
Many of us have family members or friends who are lawyers. If you don't have
a lawyer, you may be among the people who have been represented. They have
certainly represented you well, we are certain. Lawyers have always stood by
us and tried to help us get out of trouble. So it's not difficult to support
the idea of them being celebrated today.
How To Celebrate The Day
International Be Kind To Lawyers Day aims to show gratitude
for our lawyers. Send flowers and cards to any lawyer who has helped you in
difficult times. Please spend some time with them to learn about their
struggles and stress. You can raise awareness about their important role in
maintaining society's smooth functioning. You can share your thoughts and
photos on social media using the hashtag #BeKindToLawyersDay
Watch A Movie About Lawyers
Check out your favorite film featuring a lawyer in the lead
role. There are plenty of options! The most popular lawyer movie is "To Kill
a Mockingbird." But there are many other options, including "The Firm," "A
Few Good Men," or "Legally Blonde."
Show the Love.
Don't forget "Thank you" for any past assistance from lawyers. You can show
your appreciation to them today, regardless of whether they represented or
assisted you in a legal matter
Get in touch
You can still get the contact information of an attorney who
has assisted you in the future by giving them a call. Show your
appreciation. It's a great way to show your gratitude for your help from a
lawyer. You may make someone's day just by being kind to them, and lawyers
don't often get much appreciation.
Referrals to
Depending on which type of law they practice, you can refer your friends to
lawyers. You can also help their business by writing a glowing reviews via
their social networks.
Why We Love Being Kind to Lawyers Day
They Do a Pro Bono Job
Lawyers spend thousands of hours every year on pro bono work.
Pro bono can be defined as work done without payment -- it's free!
It is a good idea for a friend to have a lawyer
The good thing is to have a lawyer at your side before going
to court. Knowing and trusting a lawyer can make legal situations less
stressful. Show your appreciation to your friend today and continue building
that relationship.
They Help Society
Most people want to practice law to help others. They are
motivated by justice and are able to solve complex problems and communicate
effectively to get it done.
How Difficult Is A Job As A Lawyer?
Lawyering is a highly sought-after career, and you can reap
many benefits if your goal is to become one. However, there are some
disadvantages to working as an attorney. You don't have to be a courtroom
drama queen or a news conference host, but you can still make a difference
and help clients.
Before you begin the long journey toward becoming a lawyer, you should ask
yourself whether you can tolerate these limitations and how well your
ability to deal with them.
While there are many advantages to practicing law, you will also find more
satisfaction than you did a decade ago. You should take the time to evaluate
all aspects of law school so that you can decide if you are right for the
job.
All Your Clients
It won't be possible to choose the clients you work with, at
least not if that is how you earn your living. The people who require
lawyers aren't limited to one demographic. They may be wealthy,
sophisticated, and demanding, and they might be homeless or accused of a
criminal offense they did not commit.
Although you might not like all of them, you must give your best to each
one. What tolerance do you have for people you don't agree with? Do you have
the ability to let go of your personal feelings to accomplish the task?
Legal Process Outsourcing
It isn't a trend, but the outsourcing law work to foreign
countries has become an economic reality. Many traditional lawyer jobs are
being eliminated or replaced by those who outsource legal work to low-wage
offshore workers or regional delivery centers.
The Stress
Law practice is one of the most stressful jobs. It has its
pressures: deadlines, billing pressures, client demands, and long hours. Add
to that rising business pressures, evolving legal technologies, and a
growing law school debt, and it's easy for lawyers to feel stressed.
Members of the bar are often unhappy with their careers due to the demands
and stress of practicing law. Counselors often experience depression and
suicide, and 44% of those surveyed by the American Bar Association recently
said they wouldn't recommend this profession to teenagers.
Long Hours
Law firms are working longer hours due to shrinking staff and
increasing workloads. Due to the demands of global law practice, some
lawyers need to be available for clients 24 hours a day.
Lawyers work longer hours and are often required to work for 50+ hours a
week. Due to competition, lawyers have to spend more time with clients and
business management activities than they do billing. Many lawyers feel that
they don't have enough time for their families.
Debt at Soaring Law School
Recent years have seen inflation outpace the cost of law
education. Even the best law schools can charge well over $40,000 annually
for tuition, and a six-figure law school debt can make it difficult to get
into practice.
In today's tough job market, many new grads can't afford to repay their law
school debt. A law degree does not guarantee financial security.
Technology
Technology has revolutionized the law practice, and lawyers
must be proficient in various technology platforms. These include document
review and management tools, spreadsheets, presentations, and billing
software.
Even as lawyers become more tech-savvy, the market trend toward
commoditization threatens jobs, as technology replaces lawyers to deliver
legal services more cheaply.
Changing the Legal Paradigms
Law is changing rapidly, and lawyers don't have a monopoly.
Lawyers today face competition from many non-lawyer sources.
However, this doesn't mean that these sources are reliable or can provide
the same results as an attorney. These sources are available and may divert
clients from "real" attorneys.
Conclusion
Lawyers are often given a bad reputation, but they are crucial
to the functioning of society and the justice systems.