I can explain why legal jobs of any kind are so difficult to find. It's a club. No one gets inside a legal office unless you know someone. That's pretty much how the whole world works, but the legal profession is an extreme example. Lawyers are selfish and egotistical and few secretaries can deal with them but the few that can are rewarded with a hefty salary. Lawyers reward those around them who can take abuse well. Don't have any ego of your own, and keep your mouth shut about the office affairs and you'll go far, oh yea, you must have flying fingers as well. They prefer if you don't have a brain, just extremely fast typing skills, unfailing willingness to answer any phone call immediately, and a nice rack.

In a sociology of law class I took one time it was pointed out that the legal profession is a very class structured social entity. A "boys" club that reluctantly lets in women now, but still needs to exercise domination and control over their secretaries to reassure themselves of their superiority. Even some women lawyers act that way to their secretaries to prove they belong in the club. Lawyers actually think of themselves as the "keepers of the law". It's a power trip, but they're right, they are keepers of the law and without them the entire legal system wouldn't function.

I don't understand why anyone would put up with the stringent requirements to be a legal secretary though. How is it possible to type 70 wpm? What kind of personality would a person have to have if their only talent was flying fingers? I love doing research and I love the law, I just don't want to have to freak out trying to multi task and burn rubber with my fingers! I do have a brain, I'd rather think or research than type all day. What fun is that? What do you learn from it? What is the sum of your existence if you learn nothing, only perform rote assignments?

Oh to be a lawyer, the one who gets to give the orders, have all the ego, not type at all, and argue in court. People could make all the lawyer jokes they wanted, if I had a JD degree, I'd just laugh it off,all the way to the bank! I love arguing for a cause, I love research, I hate typing! Why the hell did I have to be born poor? The world sucks! Why can't I have a connection or a rich uncle?

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