University of Memphis students may get the wrong impression about lawyers and attorneys based on television shows like "Law and Order," "Matlock" or the pre-color television show "Perry Mason." But there is much more you can do with a law degree than prosecute criminals.
Forest Dorkowski graduated from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law with her law degree in 2003 and provides perspective into the slightly less dramatized portion of the profession.
After completing her undergraduate work in the field of business at the University of Florida, Dorkowski realized what she wanted to do in her senior year.
In her years at law school, Dorkowski clerked first at a labor and employment firm and then at what would be her future employer Apperson, Crump and Maxwell, PLC.
The two opportunities opened the door to jobs following graduate school.
"(A clerkship) is a necessity to get a job when you graduate," Dorkowski said. "I'd say about 90 percent of law students clerk."During her time at Apperson, Crump and Maxwell, Dorkowski met someone who influenced her career: Angela Graves.
"She would give me her guidance and was very open to all of my questions," she said. That interaction is somewhat rare in today's field of practicing law, according to law professor Robert Banks Jr."The profession has changed dramatically in the last 30 years," said Banks. "It was much more of a fraternity. Law firms tend to use up young lawyers. It's a pretty cold-blooded profession."
As cutthroat as it may be, Dorkowski has carved her way into a successful position at Apperson, Crump and Maxwell.An associate attorney at the firm, Dorkowski specializes in taxation and estate planning.
"I'll be the person that contacts the IRS, to either contest tax liability or arrange a payment plan," she said. "We also assist small businesses and develop their structure so they can pay the smallest amount of taxes." Dorkowski said this helps small businesses grow.Her first experience in the law field wasn't as easy as some may think."There is a lot of self-learning," she said. "You're thrown to the wolves."
Before Dorkowski finally decided upon tax law and estate planning, she considered using her law degree to step into the field of politics. Instead of the cutthroat world of politics, Dorkowski enjoys her current career.
"I like the autonomy of it being professional and working with clients," she said.
