I Didn't Always Know I Wanted to Be a Lawyer. Here's Why I Still Love Being One 15 Years Later.

Estimated Read Time: 2 Minutes
Reviewed by Attorney Nate Gjesdal
September 7, 2026

My cousin recently became a lawyer.

For her, this has been a long time coming. She's wanted to be a lawyer since she was a little girl, and when you look at the path she took, you can tell. She studied law, spent time at Oxford, competed in moot court, and completed several legal internships before joining a law firm this year.

Watching her finally start the career she's worked toward for so long has been inspiring. She was incredibly intentional about what she wanted and the steps she took to get there.

It also made me think about how differently I got here.

Fifteen summers ago, I was the one starting out as a new attorney. But unlike my cousin, I hadn't spent my childhood dreaming about becoming a lawyer.

I didn't graduate from college knowing exactly what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I found my way toward law because I wanted work that challenged me, required me to think, and gave me an opportunity to make a real difference for people.

I Wanted Work That Made Me Think

One of the things that initially drew me to law was the challenge.

I've always enjoyed critical thinking and solving problems, and criminal defense gives me plenty of both.

No two cases are identical. You have to understand the facts, find the issues that matter, anticipate what the other side might do to develop a risk mitigation strategy, and figure out the best path forward for the person sitting across from you.

Even after 15 years, that part of the job still challenges me and I love it.

The Work Actually Matters to Someone

I also wanted to do something where the work had an impact.

When someone calls a criminal defense attorney, it's usually not because they're having a particularly good week.

They may be scared about losing their job, worried about their family, or simply have no idea what's going to happen next.

I can't promise someone a particular outcome. However, I can help them understand what's happening, what their options are, and what I think we should do next.

There's something rewarding about being able to take a situation that feels overwhelming and make it a little more manageable.

I Didn't Expect to Enjoy the People as Much as I Do

I genuinely enjoy meeting clients. This might actually be my favorite part of the job.

I like consultations because I get to sit down with someone, hear what happened, ask questions, and start figuring out how I might be able to help.

And sometimes those relationships last much longer than the case itself.

I've had former clients come back to me years later when they need help with something else. We still receive Christmas cards from some of them. I've gotten to see people move forward with their lives long after I first met them during what may have been one of the more stressful periods of their lives.

That's something I don't take for granted.

Final Thoughts

My cousin knew much earlier than I did that she wanted to be a lawyer. As she starts her career, I hope she finds her own version of what I've found in mine: work that challenges her, people she enjoys meeting, and a reason to still care about doing it well many years later. 

If you're dealing with a criminal case, I know calling an attorney can feel intimidating. It doesn't need to be.

One of the things 15 years of doing this has taught me is that I really do enjoy sitting down with people, hearing what's going on, and helping them understand what comes next.

A consultation is simply a conversation. Tell me what's happening, ask your questions, and I'll give you my best assessment of the situation and the options available to you.

Whether we ultimately work together or not, you should leave that conversation understanding your situation a little better than you did before.

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