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I practiced law for nearly 12 years, left the profession, earned a culinary arts degree, worked in that field for a while until the physical demands took their toll on my feet and back, and eventually found my current profession, for which I am well suited. While a lawyer, I always felt I did my best to "do justice" for my clients and for society, and was quite successful, by that measure. However, it just was something my personality didn't fit. It helps to be an aggressive, confrontational, outgoing person if one hopes to be happy as a lawyer, and I am none of those. Leaving law was the right thing for me to do.

earned a culinary arts degree

i didn't know that, mountaineer, how cool! i took a cooking class while staying at the Greenbriar last summer, and it turns out that the chef that was teaching it was from the Burgh!

I've actually thought about the same thing while in law school. It's not that I don't like the law. On the contrary, I find it really interesting. I think, however, that I will find myself much on the same career path as you have. My grades are good, I'm hoping for a nice federal job for a while, and then I'll get out and actually create something rather than just shuffle papers.

But for those who knock law school, realize that it is the best graduate degree you can have if you want to hone your ability to reason and analyze. There are too many schools. I say chop of all except the top 100 or 75, and they'll get the people who are truly serious about learning rather than the ones who just want the degree so they can go take the bar and chase ambluances.

And as for the pure hatred some have on this thread for the legal profession, just wait. When your a$$ is in a sling someday, by all means, defend yourself. Let us know how it goes. Of course, these freepers completely miss the point that most lawyers are NOT trial lawyers.