I have been practicing corporate law for about a year and a half. I should note that, from what I can tell, in addition to being an INFJ, I'm also an HSP. I have not yet given up on the law altogether, but I think that for the INFJ it is really quite difficult to find a fit in the law. I work in a mid-sized law firm (100+ lawyers) and I don't enjoy it at all. I work with wonderful people (i.e., not a Wall Street sweat shop) who are thoughtful and have taken an interest in my personal development. I am rather fortunate. But I still hate it. (On a side note, if ever my Fe was a problem it's here. I knew as soon as I started that I would feel really guilty if I ever wanted to leave because I would be "disappointing" the good people at the firm.)
The problems include 1) tight deadlines, 2) face-time, 3) minimal real solitary work time (open door policy), 4) working for the man, while the little guy suffers, 5) feeling stifled creatively, 6) not working for, or with, actual humans, 7) meetings, meetings, meetings. Quite frankly, I'm bored out of my mind and exhausted. My life feels completely out of control and my sleep, eating and exercise habits are all out of whack. And worst of all, I feel like a sellout and no amount of rationalization seems to be helping me stomach it all.
While in law school, I worked in a clinic helping small businesses and nonprofits and I absolutely loved it. I even took an internship and planned to pursue a fellowship doing this kind of work. But going that route means risking your finances and your peace of mind and, the first time around, I chickened out -- even though I knew that a large law firm was not for me.
If you want to pursue a career in public interest (which is hard for other reasons) I recommend doing whatever you can to minimize the cost of law school. But, there are plenty of other ways to make a difference in people's lives and do meaningful work that don't require the expense of a law degree. Right now I'm considering finding a way to use law to do one of those things, going back to public interest work or scrapping law entirely.
I also want to point out that practicing corporate law is not particularly "intellectual," which I think is something that leads INFJs astray. It appears to be intellectual at the outset. It is actually extremely rote. Although it is complex and I agree that one ought to have special training to perform the job, it is not like every week something comes in and I am able to really be creative and think up new and interesting things. A lot of the time, I'm reading the same old contracts and editing them to meet the parameters of a new deal. Something to consider.
TL;DR - INFJs (and HSPs) beware of big law firm private practice.
ETA - I think the law is an excellent career, generally, and that people can be quite happy doing it. The question is what do you value. Some people truly value being part of something large and big deals, making lots of money and just generally making a living. These are all worthwhile pursuits if you're the right kind of person. Biglaw for a "NT'" or an "ST" probably works rather well. But for an "NF" you are forced day after day to deny yourself and that does not a happy lawyer make.
The problems include 1) tight deadlines, 2) face-time, 3) minimal real solitary work time (open door policy), 4) working for the man, while the little guy suffers, 5) feeling stifled creatively, 6) not working for, or with, actual humans, 7) meetings, meetings, meetings. Quite frankly, I'm bored out of my mind and exhausted. My life feels completely out of control and my sleep, eating and exercise habits are all out of whack. And worst of all, I feel like a sellout and no amount of rationalization seems to be helping me stomach it all.
While in law school, I worked in a clinic helping small businesses and nonprofits and I absolutely loved it. I even took an internship and planned to pursue a fellowship doing this kind of work. But going that route means risking your finances and your peace of mind and, the first time around, I chickened out -- even though I knew that a large law firm was not for me.
If you want to pursue a career in public interest (which is hard for other reasons) I recommend doing whatever you can to minimize the cost of law school. But, there are plenty of other ways to make a difference in people's lives and do meaningful work that don't require the expense of a law degree. Right now I'm considering finding a way to use law to do one of those things, going back to public interest work or scrapping law entirely.
I also want to point out that practicing corporate law is not particularly "intellectual," which I think is something that leads INFJs astray. It appears to be intellectual at the outset. It is actually extremely rote. Although it is complex and I agree that one ought to have special training to perform the job, it is not like every week something comes in and I am able to really be creative and think up new and interesting things. A lot of the time, I'm reading the same old contracts and editing them to meet the parameters of a new deal. Something to consider.
TL;DR - INFJs (and HSPs) beware of big law firm private practice.
ETA - I think the law is an excellent career, generally, and that people can be quite happy doing it. The question is what do you value. Some people truly value being part of something large and big deals, making lots of money and just generally making a living. These are all worthwhile pursuits if you're the right kind of person. Biglaw for a "NT'" or an "ST" probably works rather well. But for an "NF" you are forced day after day to deny yourself and that does not a happy lawyer make.
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