I may take a position as a corporate accountant instead of my attorney position.... Everything practical in me says do it. Everything emotional in me says not to. I cannot do criminal law with a corporate 9-5, because that's when the courthouses are open for business....
It's far less bullshit to deal with and actually more money (especially with the vastly reduced expenses). Apparently, my not being a CPA is not a problem, due to my being an attorney and the level of detail that requires. That, plus my previous experience, economics background, basically running the books for several charities, "habit of incredible work ethic" (not my words), and "ability to present complicated topics both understandably and effortlessly," "seem to work in your [my] favor."
My pride, and ego are killing me. From a personal standpoint, I don't give a damn about the lesser amount of money I'd be making in my position as an attorney (though how the fuck I make LESS as an attorney, I'll never know). Though from a practical standpoint, I have to care about making less money when paying off law school and meeting work expenses. Being a FULL TIME Licensed Practicing Attorney has been a dream of mine for decades, since I was a little kid. I enjoy being excellent at what I do and making the opposing counsel hate me for pointing out opposing counsel's incompetence. I enjoy taking down corrupt police officers by exposing the fact that they fucking lie on the stand (until and unless they are able to be writing a speeding ticket in one place and making an arrest in another, different place at the same time). Somebody fucking has to give a shit about Justice and if not an attorney then who? Being an attorney means something to me and yes my foolish pride is wrapped up in that immensely. Nobody goes to medical school NOT to be a doctor. Same thing with law school....
I'm aware this is an incredible opportunity for me. I could make a damn good salary with actual benefits at a corporate job. You don't get that as an attorney taking cases, medical, dental, vision, retirement fund, none of it. Additionally, It's a steady, reliable paycheck coming in without having to worry if some asshole, who is not in jail because of me, will pay me or not. Additionally, being trans, if the corporate non-discrimination policy includes sexual orientation or gender identity, then it might, MIGHT actually be possible for me to transition someday instead of never.
Also being in the City of Cleveland, they couldn't fire me on that basis, because of a local ordinance (and only because of said ordinance). Actual job security and not living in constant fear of being found out as GLBT?
Not having to give a shit about people never hiring me again as their (incredibly god damn effective) attorney, because they don't like gays or trans people? ....
It may even end up being an opportunity for me to start my own firm in the meantime. 9-5 is nothing to me, NOTHING, because I would consider an 8 hour day a vacation.... I work a minimum of a 12 hour (incredibly unappreciated and underpaid) day and often 16 hour day. The problem is 9-5 overlaps the hours of the court 8-4.... I cant take criminal cases or really any cases that litigate if I have a 9-5 because I'd have to be at a desk instead of in court.... I could still do transactional/paperwork shit: wills, estate planning, contractual stuff etc. This would vastly reduce my areas of practice. I'd be afraid I'd lose my edge against prosecutors and grow duller by comparison. The criminal procedure, especially local rules, change often enough that you have to keep practicing and actually doing it to know it. That said, I could really start my own transactional firm for nights and weekend appointments, which working people might find more convenient anyhow. I wouldn't rent an office, because screw that with a day job (it would sit empty all day while I was at my day job). It might give me a chance to get a dedicated clients list in that area in the event I really could be a full time attorney again....
I'd have to brush up on Microsoft Excel, which basically means studying that instead of law for a night or three, so nothing by comparison. What's that? A system with defined rules and without crazy unpredictable variables like a jury? Easy. Also, they're talking about me being in charge of a few accountants. I think they were considering having two CPAs under me.... They would actually know what the fuck they were doing. I'd never have to worry about doing another clerk's job for them again.
I am and want to continue to be an attorney. It seems somehow that being an accountant or employed as one, is somehow more lucrative, despite me doing far, FAR less...?
The whole situation is nuts....