Anonymous Law Student (http://anonymouslawstudent.com/) has offered up a blog entry about the hazards attorneys face in their romantic relationships. The blogger sent out a questionnaire about attorneys and their wives, husbands, boyfriends, and girlfriends. The responses painted a rather bleak picture for lawyers in love.



The majority of the respondents claimed that the pitfalls of legal practice, particularly as a young associate, were enough to kill most romantic relationships. The long hours in the office mean less time to spend with a significant other. Most respondents claimed that criminal litigation was the worst practice area to balance with a love life, though nearly all agreed that any big law practice could suffocate a relationship.





Another major complaint was about taking work home. Even when a lawyer can manage to take time away from work for a romantic dinner, they are likely to be distracted by a big case. Inability to separate one's self from their work was reportedly a huge contributing factor to the dissolution of relationships.



The nature of a lawyer's training also made sustaining a relationship a challenge. Law school teaches attorneys to argue effectively. Big law firms make attorneys fiercely competitive. These traits can make for trouble in a relationship.



Of course, some respondents felt that the risks of relationships for attorneys were not much different than the risks facing other professionals. Lack of communication and trust can be a problem for any couple, regardless of what they do for a living. Probably the best responses to Anonymous Law Student's questionnaire came from E. Thomas Kemp of the Kemplaw blog (http://www.kemplog.com/). He said that some people are just screwed up, attorneys or not, and they will find trouble in any relationship.