Self-employed and Happy

Self-employed lawyers are the happiest.

I tend to agree. There are definite drawbacks to being self-employed (like being the one who has to decide what type of business paper to use or what charities to support), but I believe the benefits outweigh these drawbacks.

One of the aspects of self-employment that I enjoy the most is the ability to make my business be a representation of my values and my work ethic.  It is my belief that phone calls should be returned promptly and that not every minute needs to be billed.  If I were working for someone else, it would be harder to work effectively knowing that I’d have to bill for a phone call or an email.  Also, I’m a night owl.  I am most effective working in the evenings and later at night.  Needless to say, most law offices don’t work like that (not officially, at least.)

Being self-employed allows me to be a better lawyer.  Being the best lawyer I can be makes me happy.  Well, that and a fresh cup of coffee.