Discover Your Passion and Purpose in Law: A Q&A with Paul DeGroot

Summary

Paul DeGroot, CEO of LawCrossing, frequently emphasizes the importance of finding your passion in law. He is firm in the belief that lawyers should be driven by their passion and strive to do something they genuinely care about.


DeGroot encourages lawyers to take a close look at their goals and decide which type of law they are truly passionate about. He stresses that lawyers are often tempted to take any type of legal job and be consumed by it, but this can lead to frustration and disappointment in the long run. Instead, DeGroot believes that lawyers should carefully research their specialty areas and focus on developing their skills in those areas.

One of the ways DeGroot suggests attorneys find their passion is to explore various areas of law, such as family law, contract law, intellectual property law, criminal law, and so on. In addition, he suggests talking to lawyers who are successful in those fields and attending conferences and other events that involve their chosen specialty.

DeGroot also encourages lawyers to take advantage of the many resources available to them, such as books and magazines about the type of law they are interested in. By doing so, lawyers can gain a better understanding of the subject and become more informed about the legal field.

Finally, DeGroot emphasizes the importance of networking. Networking with other lawyers and industry professionals can help lawyers to gain insight into their desired area of practice and stay informed on the latest trends in the legal field.

In conclusion, Paul DeGroot stresses the importance of finding one's passion in law in order to have a successful and fulfilling career. He encourages lawyers to explore various areas of law and take advantage of the many resources available to them in order to gain a better understanding of their chosen specialty. Additionally, networking with other lawyers and industry professionals is urged in order to gain insight into the legal field and stay informed on the latest trends.
 

Paul DeGroot - Finding One's Passion in Law

Paul DeGroot is a dynamic lawyer who has been practicing law for over a decade. As an advocate of civil rights, Paul believes that justice should be available to everyone. Paul has dedicated his career to public interest law and working in diverse communities. He is committed to providing legal representation to those in need and advocating for social justice.

Paul DeGroot's passion for law began at a young age, when he first experienced the inequities of the legal system. He recognized how the justice system can disproportionately affect those who are marginalized and underprivileged, inspiring him to pursue a career in law that would benefit these communities. Paul obtained his law degree from the University of Chicago Law School and began his legal journey.

Paul DeGroot has dedicated himself to the practice of civil rights and public interest law for the last ten years. He has worked for numerous non-profit organizations, providing free legal services to those in need. His experience has been varied, from representing victims of human rights abuses to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. Through his work, Paul has been able to make a positive impact on many people's lives.

As a leader in the legal community, Paul DeGroot has also contributed to an array of publications on civil rights and social justice topics. He is passionate about addressing legal issues that disproportionately affect marginalized communities and advocates for the rights of all individuals. Paul believes that everyone should have access to the same level of justice regardless of their background, race, or gender.

Throughout his career, Paul DeGroot has dedicated himself to fighting for social justice. His passion for law and commitment to public service has enabled him to make a meaningful impact in numerous communities. Paul is committed to fighting for the rights of all individuals and advocating for a fairer legal system.

I was shaking my head and telling my father, 'I can't believe I went to law school for this,'" DeGroot recalled. "My father said, 'Look at who you are. You were raised in a conservative background. Your father's a fire chief; your uncle's a police officer. Maybe you're cut out for the prosecutor's office.' It was kind of like a light bulb over my head."
 

Today, DeGroot is an assistant prosecutor with the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office in Paterson, NJ. It's a perfect fit for someone with law enforcement in his blood.

Q: So it's important to assess who you are, even your background and roots, when considering a career path?

A: If you're going into law for all the wrong reasons, it's just not going to work. You're just not going to like it. Some people are cut out to be tax attorneys. Some people are cut out to be plaintiffs' attorneys. Really look at what you are and who you are and what you think you'd enjoy. Looking at who you are is probably one of the best things you could do before you even go to law school. After law school, it's best to reflect again on why you went to law school, what type of background you have, family values, and financial issues. If you have a great deal of law school debt, going into the public sector might be hard. You really don't make a lot of money in the public sector, but the rewards are different.

Q: What's one thing they don't teach in law school that they should?

A: I don't think they teach you how to pass the bar exam. They don't teach you about the real day-in, day-out grind of practicing the law. It is a lot of work. It is a lot of preparation. I go out in the field. I interview witnesses. I go with my detective out into the streets. I have gone to autopsies. I don't think law school prepares you for the realization that you're going to be arguing on your feet, trying to find clients, trying to find witnesses. It really is a lot of work.

Q: What advice do you have for aspiring prosecutors?

A: The most useful courses that they should focus on are evidence, criminal law, constitutional law, criminal procedure—but a heavy focus on evidence. Clerkships are an excellent avenue into the prosecutor's office. Three quarters of the prosecutors in my office had clerkships with the judges from my county.

If you don't have a clerkship, practicing politics is actually a useful means to open up avenues into the office. By getting involved in politics, you're meeting the lawyers, the campaign contributors, the judges. You're expanding your network. Practicing per diem work—maybe doing some pro bono work for criminal law—is a good way to get your feet wet.

Q: What are common stumbling blocks for new prosecutors?

A: Too often, they don't read the entire file. They look at a case, and they see it as A-to-B to B-to-C. When they get into court—and I've faced it myself—all of a sudden, the defense attorney comes up with six different ways to Sunday that you never thought about. So trial preparation is something the new APs have to get used to, working a case up from the moment you get the file, working with your detective, finding witnesses. That's a major stumbling block. The ability to try a case from beginning to end for new APs is hard. There's a big learning curve.

Q: What do you look for when hiring?

A: Passion. [Prosecutor's offices] look for somebody that comes into this job with fire in the belly, someone who wants to be a prosecutor.

They look for passion. They look for fire. They look for clear, articulate reasoning. They will ask you questions during the interview, and you should be able to orally support your ideas. They'll ask you, "How would you proceed on this if you were confronted with this?" You don't have to know the case, but you have to be able to articulate your thoughts. They're looking for somebody who can think on their feet.

Q: Who is your favorite lawyer in movies, books, or television?

A: Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. Even though he's a defense attorney, I love what he stands for.