Book Review - Anonymous Lawyer by Jeremy Blachman

Book Review

Anonymous Lawyer by Jeremy Blachman - 3/5

As you may or may not know, Jeremy Blachman got famous first from his blog : anonymouslawyer.blogspot.com for mainly being a hiring partner and sharing his POVs from his position.

In my opinion, it's more like a POV from a complete whacko and douchebag.

As the book started, I found it hilarious. He doesn't have any filter in his writing and isn't afraid to say anything, or hold anything back. He also manages to highlight the cut throat life of a typical high flying, elite law firm.

I wouldn't say that the law industry is all flowery and peachy. Of course it is highly competitive. C'mon you are judged based on the lamest and most superficial things like what you wear to work to what you eat for lunch. I'm not saying I condone sloppiness. That's a whole different thing. There are office bitches (as usual). There are in every industry as well. The gossip mongers, the annoying ones, the useless ones who got hired cause they know someone who's a big shot. All of the prototypes which he described, I can totally relate to and understand.

BUT. The more I strung along, I got tired of his arrogance. I felt nauseated. Literally. I was having a conversation with my husband, comparing this to John Lefevre's Straight to Hell. He hasn't read Anonymous Lawyer but I have shown him some parts where I cringed. Even he said that Lefevre's an angel compared to this crazy just by reading the minimal parts which I shared so far. Why I say "Even he" is because my husband has a high tolerance for assholes and a threshold to appreciate sinister humour. So yes, even he was like ????

He has a bad, bad BAD perspective of a woman's role in fast paced industries, which obviously added on to the list of why I think he's an asshole. Basically a Male Chauvinist Pig. Typical old school mentality of what they used to teach generations after generations that men should run the work force and women look after their kids.

He doesn't seem to have any form of respect for anyone except himself, which really made me feel like burning the book after a while.

He nailed the part about the hierarchy in the industry. Just for a personal example, there used to be lunches catered by the office. On every Tuesdays of the week, the office would arrange lunches for "Everyone in the firm". They usually turn two conference rooms into one and set everything up. BUT. It works this way. The partners go for their rounds first, followed by the associates, after they are done, they send an email to all the support staff asking them to grab lunch fast before it runs out. People do actually still rush up. I don't understand this idea of making someone feel smaller or unworthy just because they have a smaller role to play in the firm. It's utterly disgusting if you ask me.

I also loved it when he acknowledged that people only think he is a big shot in the office building just because he is a senior partner or bla bla bla in a law firm. I know many people who think too highly of themselves just because they are hiring partners or even lawyers to start with. Yes. You are a lawyer. SO WHAT? No one outside the field knows what you actually do, besides the nonsense they show them on TV. No one cares. It's just a job. Don't keep your nose too high, it sickens me. Why can't people just be humble? Yes, it is a lot of hardwork. But ever heard of the phrase "Work hard in silence and let success make the noise"? It doesn't mean running your mouth. The women so far, are fine (whoever I've crossed paths with). But the men, telling people that you're a lawyer does not mean that ladies (or men, whichever works for you) have to start undressing for you. Especially if you think it's the ONLY profession out there which matters (I'm referring to the majority, there ARE the minority of men in this line who are absolute gentlemen... but yeah, minority.)

The reason I still give Blachman a 3, is because deep down I know, that not just him, many people of his position actually DO function and think like that. So there is truth to the book. Well, I am not surprised as I am fully aware that there are more assholes than good people lurking amongst us.

What I find even more hilarious is us. The consumers. If a good, down to earth, really cool, church going lawyer wrote a book, I don't think it would have sold as well as this nut job's book did.

I'm done ranting.

Have a good weekend guys. Oh yeah, if you do decide to read this book, buckle your seat belts, and get your vomit bag ready- It's gonna be a rough ride.

Love,

Naia

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