Why, if Lawyers are supposed to be so intelligent, do they display such stupidity in the workplace?

Answer 1

Because all the ones in law firms or at the bar have only got there through contacts, not through ability, thus often the intelligent ones never make it!

Nepotism rules!!

Answer 2

First, let me say that having a degree, such as a lawyer, therapist, etc. does not necessarily make you smarter than anyone else - it makes you book smart intelligent. No one ever gave away a degree to the best behaved or morally correct candidate for an eduction. I know doctors that should never have entered the practice, who have the social skills and rudeness of a pack of wild pigs - but are so book smart they could be considered walking encylopedias.

I also dont think that, according to your question, that we should generalize and make is sound like ALL lawyers are stupid in the workplace. I think many might not act too professional, and are really only doing that career for the money, and not to help others.

Some of the smartest people in our society are jackasses and have no people skills, rendering them "stupid" when they socialize in the workplace. Perhaps they are rude to others, put them down, or perhaps they dont know how to fit in - and seem like huge nerds that no one wants to spend time with outside of work. Regardless, i would keep the interaction with these people on the professional level, since your comment was workplace, and try not to interact on any more than that. This way, you wont have to deal with the stupidity at all.

Answer 3

There is a difference between intelligence and common sense. Also, we are all human and make mistakes. There are some bad habits that have more to do with emotional issues than lack of intelligence. People are not robots.
To those who don't think lawyers are intelligent: you have to have a certain level of intelligence to get into law school, pass the bar, etc. I don't think the average person is smart enough to do that.

Answer 4

Most Lawyers do not practice some principal rules they were taught. The first being never ask a question you do not already know the answer to and the second is, When in doubt it is better to remain quiet and have others think you are stupid then to speak out and remove all doubt!!

Answer 5

My boss is an attorney and he is the most intelligent man I have ever known. It scares me. He is also very respectful and happily married for over 35 years. I think when you deal day in and day out with criminals, unhappily married people, and civilians suing McDonalds for hot coffee, it makes you a little jaded towards the outside world. I know there are some attorneys who live up to the reputation attorneys have, but I can tell you there are some excellent ones too.

Answer 6

now who told you they were smart?!

i was always told that people living off the land and not trying to keep up with the jones' were smart. i thought that figuring out mathematical equations to solve chemistry issues is intelligent... however, the words 'attorney' and 'smart' weren't even allowed in the same sentence.

the answer to your question (my workplace is full of attorneys, by-the-way) is simple. they display such stupidity because of their respective intelligence quotients...it really has nothing to do with their employment.

Answer 7

The lawyer profession has th ehighest rate of exam failure in most states. In Georgia it is much easier tio pass a lawyers exam than most other state exams.
Laws are passed by lawyers, for lawyers and they control the world. They can do what they want to.
most lawyers are exampt from punishment from judges which sid ewith them.
Most divorces, small lawsuits ect are settled over a cup of coffee or beer by lawyers who trade their clients for future deals with other lawyers.
They are the most animalist, dishonest, degrading people in the world of professionals.

Answer 8

You said it... my daughter's first boss lost a case in court and went straight back and smashed his office furniture up and terrified my then, sixteen years old child.

Oddly though, she still works for him and his partner (wife) at the age of 38.

Being book learned and having bits of paper behind your name, does not mean you are mature and intelligent... it merely means you either have, a retentive memory... or you are able to copy and paste someone else's writing...

At my age, you seriously take paper qualifications with a pinch of salt!


Wise old owl

Answer 9

Some lawyers are smart, others aren't. In California, you don't even need a college degree to be a lawyer.

Answer 10

Money does something to them. Especially men. I think more lawyers cheat on their wives than any other proffession. Because they know the laws and have a lot of money and don't know what's next, so they add infidelity to their to do list.