Nearly a score years since obtaining my law degree, I continuously face, with some amusement, the question as to why I undertook this legal journey. The truth admittedly veers towards convenience – I was fortunate to receive several enticing scholarship offers and had no grand commitments for the next three years. However, it seems contemporary legal aspirants carry a more compelling motivation – a strong discontentment with our current Supreme Court.
Ample reasons exist to be disappointed with the Supreme Court, ranging from questionable ethical practices to patently partisan rulings. Our present reality echoes the nefarious results of the long-standing conquest by the Federalist Society to command American jurisprudence. Such alarming developments have led to a plunge in respect for the Supreme Court, with favorability ratings hitting record lows.
The Supreme Court is the public face of the legal system, so it stands to reason that those disheartened with the Court’s performance would choose to enter law school with the aim of instigating change. The decision, though commendable, is not without its challenges. The legal profession is not known for its receptivity to change, and those voicing dissenting views could face dire consequences from the typically older, whiter and more conservative hierarchy of the legal sector.
Resoundingly, many of these new legal professionals will face a difficult road. Some will regret their decision. Others may exit the legal profession altogether, outsized by its grueling demands. Yet, for the profession collectively, it certainly strengthens the ranks. The law requires a constant influx of motivated talent, eager to challenge the orthodoxies and shift the power dynamics. These new potential jurists could eventually comprise the selection pool for future Supreme Courts. But it’s worth remembering, the cost-benefit analysis for any individual can be exploitative and daunting.
Despite the challenges, the number of young aspirants appears to be on the rise, with law school applications seeing an increase of about 3.7%. Moreover, law schools are becoming more diverse than ever before, indicating a paradigm shift and paving the way for a new generation of independently minded jurists. Perhaps among them, we will find our future Supreme Court justices, who decided to pursue law for reasons far weightier than mine.