Sherry at Stay of Execution encapsulates perfectly a major reason why I deliberately decided to not pursue law as a profession. She pinpoints the agony of billable hours at major law firms and toll that it takes on lawyers' lives. As the kid of one of those young associates and later partner, I can tell you that it takes its toll on other people in the household as well.

As much as I admire my dad for the example of hardwork and honesty and integrity that he set, I think I would've been just as happy with someone who was less stressed, overworked and underappreciated, or who was at least better able to keep the side effects of that pressure out of the home. My dad made a valiant effort to participate in our upbringing, being supportive of our activities, triumphs and failures. But work pulled him away all too often. It's easier to understand now, but it was hard as a self-centered kid. And I think he was probably always considered a little too "soft" at his cutthroat firm anyway, because of the time he did take for his family. So really, he couldn't win anywhere.

Consequently, despite numerous suggestions and gentle pressure to convince me to pursue law as my career, I have (so far) declined.

My father has since left the law (after 30 years) to pursue training for a different profession--the clergy. A profession with its own stresses and demands, yes, but one that is more understanding of personal time, too.