August 20, 2008 | Read Time: 1 minute
A newly-minted lawyer writes in to Stephen J. Dubner’s blog Freakonomics, on The New York Times site, with this query:
“I recently passed the bar and am currently applying for jobs. My main concern is bringing out the most charitable result. Should I work in the nonprofit section where my services are passed directly along to the most needy, or should I get the high-paying firm job and donate the difference in my salary to charity?”
Mr. Dubner says he’s not convinced that working with a nonprofit organization is the best way to effect change, in part because of the high incidence of fraud at charities. (See this post).
One reader of Mr. Dubner’s blog advises the lawyer, Anthony DiClaudio, to “get as rich as possible and then give out your money as you see fit.”
Another tells Mr. DiClaudio: “My wife struggled with the same question. She now works for a large law firm that also stresses pro-bono work. This allows her to work directly with those in need, as well as being able to donate to other charitable groups.”
Still others warn Mr. DiClaudio that many lawyers who work at large law firms are unhappy. They tell him to choose the path that will give him the most fulfillment.
What would you advise Mr. DiClaudio?
