DFW

In Texas, DFW is generally used to refer to the Dallas-Fort Worth area of the state.

In this context, in either looking for a law job or going out on your own, DFW is an insidious little term that means "down for whatever".

I have heard law students refer to it mockingly as "dead presidents law".

For me the term is indicative of wanting a job, as opposed to looking for a profession or vocation.

The term does not indicate energy or excitement, as it indicates only a willingness to chill or hang out.

Most law jobs are not posted, but think about posted jobs for a moment. Have you ever wondered why lawyers and law firms often advertise for a associates with several years of experience in a field for what appears to be an entry-level wage?

To me it is simple. They would prefer someone with some experience, but what they are more likeley looking for is someone that cares a flip about what they do and what law they practice, and the clients they keep. These lawyers and law firm are trying to avoid the dreaded DFW lawyers and graduates by setting some impossible criteria to discourage their applications.

Frankly, it is how most law students and graduates go about presenting themselves for a job or in deciding what they will do in going out on their own. The term and its understanding might sound comfortable and caring, such as "whatever you want me to do", but in the legal field it resonates like a giant shoulder shrug of indecision and lack of caring and interest that simply drives experienced practitioners and concerned potential clients up the wall.

Lawyers, law firm and potential clients can accept the fact that you do not know everything (or even much of anything). They just want someone that cares and wants to be where they are in life, doing what they are doing. They are looking for passion. Telling them you graduated from law school really does not do it for them.

When my oldest daughter graduated from law school she was able to find a good law job because she knew exactly what she wanted to do. She knew exactly what she wanted to practice. She was not willing to compromise. She did not come across as a wet behind the ears lawyers showing up at law offices that practice different things under the sun saying "whatever you have is fine".

There are two indubitable facts in life. Learn them. First, bankers do not want to loan money just because people need money. Second, law firms do not want to hire lawyers just because the lawyer needs a job.

The same is true for going out on your own as a lawyer.

Law firm and clients both want to hire people who care about their needs. If you come across as just wanting money and entitlement for achieving a law license, that is not going to get you very far.

Ask yourself, exactly how you having a law license does much for another lawyer, law firm or client?

Not much.

Figure out what you want to do in the practice of law. Go out on your own, or go looking for a job. Your chances will improve in either situation dramatically if you will tout your interest as opposed to just your expensive law degree.

You are not going to get far in the legal profession being a wandering generality. You need to promote yourself as a meaningful specific.

If you do not promote yourself as a meaningful specific, you will more likely than not either find no employment or clients, or get placed in the legal equivalent of flipping burgers.

It is up to you.

Comments

[Dallas DWI lawyer]

Helpful post, I hope I’ll find other posts like this in the future. Thanks!