Читать книгу How to Be a Lawyer - Jason Mendelson - Страница 30

If you had asked us prior to the mid-2010s and the onslaught of social media what good constitutional law could be for non-con law lawyers, we would have said something to the effect of, “Every democracy needs well-informed citizens to keep that democracy strong.” And then we would have made a quip of the lack of jobs in this area and kept this section as short as our Civ Pro section.

Alas, a lot has changed. It feels like con law is now also part of the “price of admission” of being a lawyer. It's not just correcting your friends on Facebook who swear their First Amendment rights are being trampled upon by their private employer. It really is about being a well-informed citizen who can understand the real issues between the debates yelling we hear on cable news channels.

Invariably you are going to get into discussions with friends, family, clients, bosses, and others on this topic. Keep in mind that it isn't just about knowing the right answer but also about being able to lay out a thoughtful analysis in an empathetic way. Being a know-it-all won't help here or get you ahead; rather you need to be able to deliver the material in a mature way so that people will look up to you.

Bottom line: Con law is great for understanding what your rights really are. It's also useful to make yourself super frustrated reading social media posts about “people's rights” and “free speech.” This class is also adept at teaching you the fastest way to get into a fight during a family dinner party. Use you power wisely.