Damon P. Hart – Holland & Knight LLP
"I truly love what I do and I will wholeheartedly encourage both my son and my daughter to join this noble and honorable profession, allthough I think my 10-month old daughter is destined to be a CEO.  Lawyers have both the high calling and unique opportunity to help individuals and businesses navigate a complex legal system.  More importantly, lawyers have a rich tradition of being among the few citizens who have the power and courage to change the law when necessary, which has been a catalyst to improving the lives of people of color and the underprivileged."

Hon. Janet L. Sanders – Massachusetts Superior Court
"Although I have certainly enjoyed my own legal career and have a job now that I love, I have not encouraged my children (and I have three) to be lawyers.  Too many lawyers work too hard and have too little time for their families. With the advent of blackberries, cell phones, and the internet, a lawyer is on constant call, much like an emergency room doctor but without having the doctor's satisfaction of being able to heal the sick. The career choices that lawyers have to make are also not attractive. With large student loans hanging over many graduates' heads, they have to be more concerned with how much money they are going to make than whether the work they do is truly rewarding. I hate to sound like an old curmudgeon, but practicing law nowadays is not like it used to be."

Hon. Mark V. Green – Massachusetts Appeals Court
"Absolutely!  I consider the practice of law to be one of the most flexible and satisfying career pursuits available.  Unfortunately, despite our encouragement, both of our sons have eschewed careers in the law, based on their perception that my wife and I work too hard."

Susan J. Cohen – Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
"I would definitely encourage my child to become a lawyer, and I am happy that my oldest son, a freshman in college, is strongly considering law school.  Legal education and training sharpens the mind and provides people with an unparalleled opportunity to gain analytical skills that will serve them not only as lawyers but in all aspects of life.  Another compelling reason for me is that in the Jewish tradition, we are taught in Deuteronomy to pursue justice ('Justice, justice shall thou pursue') and as lawyers we have opportunities to correct injustices and make a real difference in the world.  I definitely believe that being a lawyer is a very noble calling."

David M. Sheehan – KPMG
"Given their relatively young ages (5 and 9), it is too early for me to encourage anything but a curiosity about the people, the places and the Buddhist/Taoist 'ten thousand things' of this world, as well as a willingness to learn (notwithstanding the fact that learning one's multiplication tables by heart is inherently dull but calculating Red Sox batting averages – which requires a knowledge of division – somehow isn't).  Even so, the parodist's rewrite of that Willie Nelson song to counsel mama not to let her 'babies grow up to be lawyers' will likely still be poor advice two decades from now.  However the legal profession develops over this time, many of the people who wish to be engaged in their community and (hopefully) make it a better place will become lawyers.  I would not be disappointed if either of my boys chooses a legal education as a platform for launching his career."

Rachel J. Sherman – Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP
"Of course!  Law has a bright future, and I would hope that my son would have the same professional experience I have had.  Lawyers are trusted counsellors and advocates, who can experience a lot of satisfaction in helping clients meet their goals.  Law is not without its challenges and pressures, but the intrinsic and remunerative rewards substantially outweigh them, in my experience.  (But I will not be disappointed if my son takes the career route that his father hopes for him:  becoming a Major League pitcher!)"

Patricia R. Rich – Duane Morris LLP
"I would encourage my children to follow their dreams in choosing a profession and find what it is that they truly enjoy. With the amount of dedication required to be a lawyer it's important to truly enjoy the work. If their path led them to the law, then I would encourage their pursuit."