Strawberry girl: The first problem is lawyers are one sided. I do not have a problem with law, but the motives are impure, if you will.

The ADHD mind is such an analytical thing that you probably found the one career best suited to us. there are a few questions I have for you. Are you treating your ADD? Is your husband supportive? Is your position in the law firm one where you can pioneer new territory.

These are some of the less person-specific questions. The harder questions to ask yourself, Is this my calling, where I belong?. This is especially hard because people with ADHD cannot remove their own emotional involvement. Now if you're the type of person who cares about everything and everyone,then your conflict is internal. If you only care about progressing your career, and the ways and means to achieve that are not your concern, then stay where you are, and fight.

Law is useful in many areas of life. What you have to offer is defined by your capacity and motive. Did you botch the big account because it was boring and mundane, or because of missing/incomplete paperwork? These are things that can be worked out with your doctor. If you botched it because of personal feelings of right and wrong, then I would say there is nothing to do at this company anymore, and you need to define what primary feelings motivate your work's inspiration in you. If it is an overwhelming feeling to help those who suffer injustices, there are many ways to do that.

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Check out Professionals with Learning Disabilities: www.pwld.ca

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Wow, thank you so much to everyone for their responses, the professionals with learning disorders site looks really helpful and informative!

It's amazing how you can go from day to day feeling put together one day and completely lost the next. While mental health and ADHD affect many professionals, it's my experience that the topic is still somewhat 'hush hush' and it's nice to know that there are others out there with similar experiences. SLG

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I'm in a similar boat, with a specialized doctorate and I have additional psychiatric problems, keeping me out of work for a few years. FIRST: Meds can help with time-tracking; if you're not on meds, see a psychiatrist who specializes in ADD.

SECOND: Software can help! You need a CONTACT MANAGEMENT system like ACT which log time, calls, appts, etc. A Project MANAGEMENT software program could also help you track details. The learning curve will be worth it, in any profession.

THIRD: There's probably a legal specialty that will fit your skill set. As a student (or graduate), you qualify for career counseling at your school, and it can help immensely.

Let's say vocational testing rates you high for social work. That means that you share similar values with social workers and can get along with them. THEY NEED LAWYERS, and non-profits are supportive of disabled employees, especially since they pay less.

Your post wasn't that clear, but it suggested that maybe you're conflicted about values at your present employment. If you are excited about the mission of your employer, you'd be a better employee.

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Just a follow-up. A year after articling, I was never able to find a job in law and am now working in policy. It is unlikely that I will work in law again as a result of my law school marks.

I was taking a combined degree at the time and was only diagnosed in the last month of my degree, too late to do anything about it really. I still feel a profound sadness that I am not able to work in my profession.

There appear to be so many barriers for lawyers with ADHD, and while I am determined, I haven't been able to overcome them yet. I hope that others are faring better!

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Hang in there Strawberrylawgrl... !

It's refreshing to find another who has taken a similar journey. It's very sad that you weren't diagnosed until you were so far into your degree(s). I was diagnosed ADHD at the completion of my 1L year (about a year ago.) While my marks aren't that great either, I managed to survive academic probation last year... and have hope for increased performance during the 1.5 years I have left before I complete my JD.

I don't know how marks influence the job market where you are, but down here there are still opportunities in the law for those who have a passion for justice (although mine is a bit beat up right now.)

And remember, a law degree is useful in a lot of other professions too! Hang in there!

Lizzyq

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It's interesting, I've been reading about 'twice exceptional' children lately - those who are both gifted and have some kind of learning disability as well.

Some articles mention that 1/6 gifted children also have a learning disability that is often not diagnosed because it is masked or compensated for by the child's other intellectual abilities. This is especially true for girls.

What a loss of potential - it is such a shame! I would do anything to spare even one bright little girl the pain that I went through in the course of my education. I can't count the number of times I heard a teacher or professor say 'Why can't you just get your act together? You're so smart, you're just not living up to your potential.'

Please keep an eye on your gifted daughters and give them the help they need to succeed. Remember, if they do have ADHD it may be hidden, and not recognized until it's almost too late. SGL

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I hope u guys don't mind a question from a non-lawyer.

I'm a paralegal considering law school & I have add. It seems to me that a lot of lawyers, at least in criminal & civil, (at the courthouse a lot) have a lot of add symptoms, but they also have secretaries following them around with notes, "you forgot this" etc.

aside from the fact I'm in my 40's and trying to decide if I'm too old to start (& incur a high debt) I wonder--does every lawyer get their own secretary?? Or should I just 4get the whole idea of law school-in case I really screw up AND have alot of debt when I'm done. (sorry this is so long.)

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Hi there hyperspd,

I definitely wouldn't preclude law school because you have ADHD. There are certainly lawyers who have ADHD. I have read that they are often more creative and can perform very well in the courtroom. So saying, there may be areas of law that are better choices for lawyers with ADHD than others - such as those that have fewer deadlines.

If you decide to go to law school, I would likely try to make sure that your ADHD is under control with adequate treatment before you start.

After admission, I would also make contact with the centre for students with disabilities at your university. They may be able to help you find appropriate accommodations, such as longer time limits on exams.

Not all lawyers get their own admin assistant, but if you don't end up having one, there are other accommodations that your employer may be willing to conider, such as a quiet office. I would also recommend taking advantage of mentoring opportunities and lawyer assistance programs.

Law school isn't easy, but I certainly don't regret my decision to attend and value the training I received. In the end, it's a very personal decision that requires weighing a variety of factors, but don't let ADHD stop you from following your dreams.

Best of luck, SLG.

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I think the PWLD site is no longer active - it's too bad, it was a good site, and there really aren't many other resources out there for professionals with disabilities. As an update, I'm still working in policy and loving it, but my search for a law job continues. While I'm greatful to my supervisor for the wonderful opportunity that he has given me, I miss the challenge of legal research, the scope of issues and the excitement of negotiating!

I was at a mentoring dinner last year, and I overheard a partner saying that if a resume gets circulated around enough in the legal community, it gets dismissed off-hand because there must be something 'wrong' with the person.

It's attitudes like this that make it difficult for individuals with ADHD to get their foot in the door. I truly believe that the whole articling process is intended to weed out individuals with learning disabilities and mental illness who are not deemed to be 'acceptable' candidates for the legal profession.

Well, there's nothing wrong with me, or anyone else with ADHD! I truly believe that I am a strong legal reseacher with good inter-personal skills. I just wasn't diagnosed with ADHD until after law school so my marks suffered, and I now need a little bit more help organizing my time than other people! That doesn't mean that I don't have skills to offer, or that I don't deserve a second chance!

As I said, my search continues..

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