“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
Dr. Seuss
A lawyer’s entire career is centered on being an essential part of their client’s lives, often far more than a mere advisor. But reality is what it is. Remember the adage that the only things you cannot avoid are death and taxes? Add irrelevancy to the list.
As I look at today’s legal and business communities I appreciate the recent movement to address issues many groups in our society face, particularly efforts to fight discrimination, lack of opportunity, and other inequities. Many law firms, including the one I practiced with, have programs to address the challenges faced by people of color and groups with other commonalities, such as women, the disabled, veterans, the LGBTQIA+ community, and others.
However, the issue almost universally ignored is the one in which we all, God willing, will eventually fall into regardless of our membership in any other cohort: getting older.
It affects everyone personally, as well as in working with and learning from others. Yet we limit support for aging professionals to how they can best vanish rather than exploit their years of experience, remain relevant, and continue contributing to the success of a company—or a law firm—where they work. Business today reminds me of the Judge Dredd movie scene where the aging judges take the “long walk” and leave the city for the Cursed Earth to disappear without causing problems for the younger left behind.
With this in mind, I have concluded that the irrelevancy associated with getting older should be considered an inevitability just like death and taxes. I also want to more formally recognize that cohort as one requiring far more attention and support than it receives today.
These blogs will take readers through my journey as I get closer to irrelevancy (or near irrelevancy) in the legal world and offer ideas on making the journey rewarding and exciting. As the Dr. Seuss quote might suggest, becoming irrelevant is nothing to be afraid of, and, given its inevitability, you might as well do it enjoyably. That is best accomplished through recognizing the process and appreciating how everyone involved can make it easier and mutually beneficial. If you are lucky, you will do so with support from others who recognize their own inevitable evolution to irrelevancy. Even if you’re not that lucky, you may be on your own but you can still win.