Happiness And The Law
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Happiness and the Law
Author: John Bronsteen
language: en
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Release Date: 2015
Happiness and the law the two concepts seem to have little to do with one another. To some people, they may even seem diametrically opposed. Yet, one of the things that laws strive to do is improve the quality of people s lives. John Bronsteen and his coauthors draw on new research on happiness from psychology, economics, and neuroscience to understand the law s effects on peoplewhether they make them happy or unhappyand how good the law is at predicting these effects. Happiness research has shown that people can adapt to some things but not to others; that people often err in predicting what will make them happy; and that money affects most people s happiness less than is assumed. Using such insights, the authors consider the effects of legal policies and regulations, criminal punishments, and civil lawsuits on how people experience their lives. The results are exciting and often counterintuitive. The findings of hedonic psychology indicate, for example, a need to rethink our current understandings of imprisonment and monetary fines. Most broadly, the book proposes a comprehensive approach to human welfare to assess the good and bad consequences of laws and policies. This approach, well-being analysis, is far superior to the strictly economically based cost-benefit analyses which currently dominate how we evaluate public policy. The study of happiness is the next step in the evolution from traditional economic analysis of the law to a behavioral approach. "Happiness and the Law" will serve as the definitive, yet accessible, guide to understanding this new paradigm."
Happiness and the Law
We begin with the premise that the happiest and most fulfilled attorneys are those who live a life of meaning and purpose. While many in the legal profession have achieved this goal, many others are unsatisfied with their career trajectories but feel, for a variety of reasons, that they aren't empowered to make a change. Unfortunately, study after study finds that many attorneys are stressed and unhappy with their professional lives, and would even leave the law entirely if they could. The Article argues that these attorneys have a far more dynamic set of options than simply leaving the profession or staying unhappy. It's not just possible--but, for many attorneys, should be the goal--to merge personal and professional interests to achieve a career filled with meaning and purpose.The Article goes on to argue that lifelong learning is the path to achieving this goal. As every practitioner knows, law school taught us an analytical framework--how to “think like a lawyer”--which is reinforced in all aspects of legal practice. Relying on those analytical skills, it's entirely possible to learn new practice areas, write on new topics, and continually evolve to ensure that one's legal career aligns with personal goals.We say “continually evolve” because meaning and purpose change over time, so even the most fulfilled attorneys need to make adjustments throughout their careers to hit this mark. While these types of career adjustments certainly may entail significant transitions from one practice area to another, they more commonly entail smaller adjustments to one's trajectory and current role that are minor in the moment but can have significant impact over time.The Article concludes with a discussion of the value of failure and rejection to achieving meaningful professional goals, and a reminder that regrets in old age often center on the things we didn't do rather than the those we did. The goal of this Article is to reinforce to law students and attorneys that they need not sacrifice their values for a job, and it's entirely possible to combine professional and personal goals in one's career--and, indeed, doing so may very well lead to a happy and meaningful life.
The Happy Lawyer
Author: Nancy Levit
language: en
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Release Date: 2010-07-30
You get good grades in college, pay a small fortune to put yourself through law school, study hard to pass the bar exam, and finally land a high-paying job in a prestigious firm. You're happy, right? Not really. Oh, it beats laying asphalt, but after all your hard work, you expected more from your job. What gives? The Happy Lawyer examines the causes of dissatisfaction among lawyers, and then charts possible paths to happier and more fulfilling careers in law. Eschewing a one-size-fits-all approach, it shows how maximizing our chances for achieving happiness depends on understanding our own personality types, values, strengths, and interests. Covering everything from brain chemistry and the science of happiness to the workings of the modern law firm, Nancy Levit and Doug Linder provide invaluable insights for both aspiring and working lawyers. For law students, they offer surprising suggestions for selecting a law school that maximizes your long-term happiness prospects. For those about to embark on a legal career, they tell you what happiness research says about which potential jobs hold the most promise. For working lawyers, they offer a handy toolbox--a set of easily understandable steps--that can boost career happiness. Finally, for firm managers, they offer a range of approaches for remaking a firm into a more satisfying workplace. Read this book and you will know whether you are more likely to be a happy lawyer at age 30 or age 60, why you can tell a lot about a firm from looking at its walls and windows, whether a 10 percent raise or a new office with a view does more for your happiness, and whether the happiness prospects are better in large or small firms. No book can guarantee a happier career, but for lawyers of all ages and stripes, The Happy Lawyer may give you your best shot.