Why is alcohol still such a big part of law firm culture? Every networking event, client dinner, and team celebration seems to revolve around a bar tab. I don’t mind a glass of wine, but it feels like the default bonding ritual is drinking—sometimes to excess. It’s awkward for people who don’t drink, and honestly, it blurs the line between professional and personal in ways that don’t always feel healthy.

Be the change you wish to see. At the next event, whip out a joint and pass it around

I am almost two years sober but my descent into alcoholism was pretty easy given the abundance of alcohol at events and the social norms around enjoying nice wine and whiskey recreationally and as a way to destress from work. I went from experimenting with nice whiskeys to finishing a half bottle of bourbon a night over the course of 5 years. COVID really escalated it too. I tend to use my young kids as my public reasoning for why I don’t drink anymore, but the truth is that I’ve been in AA and just got to a point where I couldn’t stop drinking every day without intervention.

Because alcohol is an extremely effective social lubricant and people enjoy drinking it. I have personally never once heard someone comment negatively about someone who does not drink.

Same reason they gave a shot of whiskey to soldiers when they received battlefield amputations: it dulls the pain, and law firms are pain.

From a recovery perspective, common advice is to not volunteer you’re not drinking. Just keep a club soda in your hand and no one will know the difference.

You can’t control what others do, but you can control what environments you put yourself in and how much information you disclose. I typically avoid the heavy drinking afterparty phase of a work outing because meaningful connections typically don’t happen then anyway.

The drinkers really won’t care if you’re not drinking. They’re drunk after all. Just get a glass of something so you have something to hold while in conversation

I started drinking way more in law school because of the networking events. And then I went to two big firms and would drink way too much and often at firm events/retreats/after work gatherings. Then I went to a small remote firm and that all stopped and I don’t do any networking or bar events. My life is way quieter now. I know some of it is my issue and I still drink. But I’m happy I’m not getting drunk 2-3 nights a week with other attorneys. I’ll never go back to that.

This isn’t unique to law

It’s unfortunate but true and sad. I don’t care to partake in drinking with my coworkers at parties. You totally see a different side of people that can be undesirable for sure. When I did property management, we had a ONE drink maximum when going out for dinners and celebrations, just to keep it professional. I prefer that!

Easier than having a personality!

I often get asked this question as in addition to my role in-house I am PT faculty (contract, not adjunct) at a 4 year school. I serve as the mock trial coach, pre-law advisor and teach some classes. I have found the current generation of undergrad, while they still largely drink, do it far less across the board than we did. There are more "sober" students and both current undergrads and my advisees that have gone onto law school frequently ask me this question.

I think it has to do largely with the fact that the study and practice of law is highly stressful. Many of us turn to booze early in our careers at the end of long weeks to "blow off steam". For many of us (myself included) at certain points in our careers this "weekend de-stresser" carried over into other days. I started off as a litigator with an AMLAW100 firm, during peak times of the litigation process it wasn't unusual for me to have "one drink" every night often while working. And I was far from alone. Many of us recognize this as a problem and quickly work to temper it, but there is a reason that the most common disciplinary and ethics issues for attorneys in most jurisdictions are alcohol related.

As I have grown older (I am currently in my mid-40's) I know more and more attorneys that at those functions you talk about are in reality drinking a club soda and lime, and a coke on ice, or even an NA beer. They don't advertise it, and only a few people may know, but its more common than you think. And as some other commenters have mentioned, even when it is known it isn't like they are looked down upon. Because any lawyer that has practiced for any length of time understands why it is being done and has probably been there.

The other factor here is there is a reason alcohol is free when you are gambling in Vegas or AC and on many cruise ships and other locations when not prohibited by law. It lowers inhibitions. Many of the organizations you talk about are nonprofits (I sit on the board of many) alcohol at our events is generally a big boon to increasing bids at auctions or silent auction events. It also lubricates the wheels of social interactions. While some organizations have started to offer more "sober events", alcohol is generally seen as a part of universal culture. It isn't just the legal profession. It is pervasive in most major events (weddings, funerals, gatherings) irrespective of religion or ethnic creed. There are admitted exceptions to this, but we in the legal profession have gotten it honest by most accounts.

I think because people are ultimately unhappy in the profession and also home life. I tend to shy away from those events but I am aware this is what the culture does. The minute I did do it things got toxic and peoples true colors came out.

We have a ways to go but I’m finding more and more there is a sensitivity for non-drinkers. More people are choosing sobriety for health reasons as opposed to religious ones. This seems to make it more acceptable. Lots of bars offer mocktails now where they never used to.

Because you can’t become a lawyer without passing a bar. I’ve found the drinking to be optional and that people respect boundaries. Really most hosts just want to know you are having a good time and enjoying their hospitality, so drinking something non-alcoholic is fine if you are bringing the same enthusiasm and energy.

I think it's every high-stress industry. I was a funeral director for many years and it was the same for all events I went to. Whats more is that funeral service professionals have some of the highest percentage of cirrhosis diagnosis. Seems the same in law. Basically, the events are everyone's excuse to "cut loose" "take a load off", "let their hair down", etc. What better way do adults use to do that than alcohol ? I say, if it's not for you, don't partake. People talk anyway. Jist make sure you don't let opinions have you out here making choices you aren't comfortable with. This isn't high school. Peer pressure only has as much power as you give it.

Guilty! When someone tells me they don’t drink, I want to no more! I do make it a point to make sure the person who doesn’t drink gets shots of Diet Coke or something cute.

To take the edge off

If your professional and personal aren’t already blurred you aren’t working hard enough to call yourself a real lawyer.

A normalized coping mechanism to tolerate the law firm lifestyle, full stop.

I always had questions about that myself. When I appear at a small professional social gathering with a 4-pack of Martinelli’s, some are glad to see that while others reach for the beers.

Let me be honest here. The first time I heard of lawyers drinking on a regular basis was in law school years ago as a 1L. On the chalkboard in one of the classrooms was an announcement for “bar review” and I actually thought that referred to bar prep for the 3L’s who were sitting for the bar in the summer. I was immediately given an education on what that announcement meant.

If you’re told in law school that drinking on Thursday evenings is the way to “take the pressure off” and to network with others, once you’re in the firm environment, it’s a hard habit to break. Is there a way for law students to socialize and network without alcohol? I believe so, but it will take a change in the mindset! Your thoughts?