A Rogue Lawyer

If you've taken a look at my Instagram bio, you'll see a good number of titles that I've granted myself. From stuff you should be aware of if you spend time on the site to titles I don't use anywhere else, it's a fun summary of yours truly.

Pictured: What I was just talking about.

One of those titles that is only mentioned here is that of "Rogue Lawyer." And it strikes me that you may enjoy hearing as to why I feel like this is accurate. It should be quick, but here goes!

1: A Lawyer

To start, I am an attorney. I don't have an external practice right now, but I went to law school, passed the bar, and maintain the license. I plan to keep it indefinately. That part of the title is pretty easy to explain, though notoriously difficult to get to. It's one of those descriptors (like "therapist") that you should only use if you have done it properly. Thankfully, I have.

Speaking of which, seems like a good time to remind you that this (and any other thing you read on here) isn't legal advice. You should know that by now.

2: A Rogue

Unlike the whole "lawyer" thing, there is no central authority that grants this title and, instead, is something left to the individual to take on. So what does being a rogue mean to me? Well, on reflection, I seem to define my "rogueishness" as having a particular relationship with conflict.

Pictured: Roguey McRoguerson, the roguiest rogue to have ever rogued!

They're a character that originated in my Bauldur's Gate 3 playthrough but is going to make their proper D&D debut soon.

I don't like to fight. While I love to debate and argue (and that's different), fighting can be quite exhausting, even if I already know I'm going to win. Actually, particularly if I know I'm going to win. Then it's exhausting and boring. If I'm going to be involved in a conflict, I at least want there to be actual stakes! The only exception to this is when the person I'm fighting is so underprepared that I can have some fun with the situation and just toy with them.

I typically avoid direct conflict in favor of either talking my way through a situation or finding a way to dodge it entirely. To be clear, I will still make my stance known on matters, often in unconventional or creative ways (I mean, you're literally on my blog right now), but I choose my battles carefully.

But make no mistake, if I'm in a fight despite my best efforts, all notions of fighting "fairly" have gone out the window. Methods of attack (or even defense) that are considered "dirty" or "unbecoming" are on the table. You will not see it coming and I will end the fight as quickly as possible. Because if I'm at this point, you already had your chance to settle things honorably.

3: A Rogue Lawyer

I take the oath that I swore seriously. I genuinely believe in the foundational principles of my country. But I also believe that those foundational principles includes the idea that we should not trust any form of institutionalized power absolutely. Indeed, I think this is a truly unique aspect of American law that makes it one of the best systems of laws currently operating.

So yeah, I use the knowledge that I have developed as a lawyer against the government and existing structures. I use the skills I've honed in self-serving ways. But, to me, that's kind of the point that American law is trying to make.