What Type Of Person Thrives In The Legal Industry, According To An Attorney At A Nonprofit
Lindsey, a 38-year-old advocate, attorney, and swim coach, finds that success in the legal field hinges on "intellectual agility," the ability to "think in a disciplined and logical way," and to understand a law's societal impact. Their own neurodivergence, including ADHD, demonstrates that diverse individuals can thrive, highlighting that "logic and discipline, critical thinking" are key attributes.
Logical Thinking, Disciplined, Critical Thinking, Intellectual Agility, Problem-Solving
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Lindsey Kirchhoff
Advocate, Attorney, and Swim Coach
Policy Advocacy Nonprofit
US Air Force Academy
Boston College, Master of Arts in Philosophy; Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, Juris Doctor; Pepperdine Law Straus Institute, Master of Dispute Resolution
Anthropology, Sociology
Law
Operations and Project Management
Veteran, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. People who thrive in the legal field are diverse, with varied backgrounds and approaches to problem-solving.
2. Key skills for success include disciplined and logical thinking, intellectual agility, and the ability to understand the purpose and societal impact of laws.
3. It's possible to leverage neurodivergent characteristics, such as ADHD, to succeed in the legal profession, highlighting the importance of finding strategies that work best for individual strengths and challenges.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically survive in this industry?
I'm currently working for a nonprofit in operations. In the future, I'll be starting my legal career as an attorney.
I'm coming to the legal profession a little late in life. I'm 38 years old, and many people go to law school in their twenties.
From my perspective, people who thrive in the legal field are diverse and varied. There are many different kinds of people. I am neurodivergent and have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. I try to harness these characteristics to propel me forward.
I don't know the exact numbers or percentages of lawyers who are neurodivergent or have ADHD, autism, or dyslexia. However, I do know that a couple of things are common for lawyers or people who get through law school.
You have to be willing to think in a disciplined and logical way. This means breaking ideas down into their parts and being willing to confront different ways of thinking. You need to be able to consider one perspective and then think about the counterpoint.
You have to be intellectually agile and understand the purpose for which a law was created. Consider how that law could impact society, people in the legal system, citizens, the general public, businesses, or lawmakers. There are many ways to look at it, but logic, discipline, and critical thinking are important for anyone in the legal field.