The Law Profession:  Challenging & Rewarding

A trial attorney and a Principle in a law firm of fifty attorneys, Anita Hotchkiss '59, works mainly with pharmaceutical liability and medical malpractice cases. As a trial attorney, she works very closely with a team of approximately ten people on each case.

A typical day for Hotchkiss includes meeting with new clients, analyzing the viability of a possible case, researching current cases, writing articles, going to trial, and an array of other managerial responsibilities. She commented that although many cases come to their office, they all do not make it to the court-room.

"Working for a client and obtaining good results for a person who has been injured or unfairly terminated from a job is very rewarding. There is a great deal of satisfaction connected with trying a case before a jury and having them vote in your favor," commented Hotchkiss. However, she also noted that with the increasing competitiveness for clients, the Law profession has become more competitive and business oriented. "You can't just go and be a good lawyer and expect the world to come to you. With the recession and reduction in the transactional world, firms now have to advertise themselves effectively to bring in clients," stated Hotchkiss.

A Spanish major at Bates, Hotchkiss next pursued graduate study and a career in Library Science before entering Law School at Rutgers University to obtain her Juris Doctor. She encourages students to procure a well-rounded education in their undergraduate careers. "There is a good grounding for law in the Liberal Arts. You need well-developed writing and oral expression skills, especially for trial law". She commented that a career in law is open to students from all disciplines because there are so many specialties. One area of increasing importance she mentioned was environmental law and biotechnology, both requiring strong backgrounds in the sciences.

Hotchkiss suggests that students take advantage of internship opportunities or try working for a few years as a paralegal before entering law school, "it can be used as part of your decision- making process to help you decide if you want to enter the field, and if you do, where you want to fit in".

Lastly, Hotchkiss stated that although the work is very hard, there is a great deal of satisfaction that can be found in pursing a career that you truly love.