From Courtroom to Clarity: Seneca’s Guide to Practicing Law with Purpose

“How disgraceful is the lawyer whose breath passes while at court, at an advanced age, pleading for unknown litigants and still seeking the approval of ignorant spectators.”

~ Seneca, On the Brevity of Life, 20.2

This quote from Seneca doesn’t just sting; it exposes a truth many legal professionals would rather ignore. The image of a lawyer, late in life, still grinding away in court, still auditioning for applause from the uninformed, isn’t a tribute to dedication. It’s a cautionary tale about misplaced priorities and the silent danger of drifting through life without introspection.

For many in the legal world, the pursuit becomes endless: more billable hours, more prestige, more wins. But Seneca reminds us that being busy is not the same as being purposeful. It’s easy to get caught up in the momentum of the profession, but the cost can be devastating if we lose track of why we started or what kind of legacy we’re building.

Seneca’s broader reflections in On the Shortness of Life give us more than just a critique; they give us a blueprint for how to realign. Here are five powerful ideas that should resonate deeply with every modern legal professional:

1. Life Isn’t Short – We Waste It

Seneca opens his essay by confronting one of the biggest lies we tell ourselves: that life is too short. The reality, he says, is that we squander enormous amounts of time on trivial pursuits, distractions, and busyness without direction. For lawyers, this might look like chasing client validation, attending meetings that lead nowhere, or endlessly fine-tuning documents for perfection’s sake. Instead, we must become stewards of our time, treating each hour as a resource to be invested, not just spent.

2. Live in the Present, Not in Hypotheticals

Too often, we defer happiness and meaning until “after the deal closes,” “once the trial’s over,” or “when things slow down.” But Seneca reminds us that tomorrow is not promised. Living for a hypothetical future robs us of the richness of now. Presence is a professional asset; it grounds our decision-making, deepens our relationships, and brings authenticity to our practice. It’s not about abandoning ambition; it’s about being fully engaged in each moment we inhabit.

3. Guard Your Time Like It’s Gold

Would you let someone walk off with your paycheck? Of course not. Yet, we allow our calendars to be hijacked by false urgency and shallow obligations. Seneca warns that time is our most precious and irreplaceable asset. For lawyers, this means saying no more often, setting boundaries around availability, and being fiercely intentional about where and how we show up. Time is not just a billing metric; it’s the canvas on which we build our lives.

4. Cultivate Self-Knowledge, Not Applause

The legal profession can be performative. We celebrate the courtroom win, the big deal, the public recognition. But Seneca pushes us inward. Self-knowledge is the only path to real freedom. Knowing what drives you and what distracts you lets you work and live in alignment with your values. It’s the difference between practicing law and becoming consumed by it. The applause will fade; clarity of purpose endures.

5. Invest in Learning, Not Just Earning

Seneca was clear: time spent with great minds through philosophy, reflection, and study is never wasted. In a profession obsessed with outcomes, making space for growth and thought is revolutionary. Read widely. Think deeply. Engage in the kind of learning that shapes who you are, not just what you do. Execution without reflection is just motion. It is only through learning that we make our time meaningful and our careers sustainable. 

Final Thoughts

At Mavacy, we believe in practicing differently. But this isn’t just about firm structure or process. It’s about ethos. It’s about choosing to be present, intentional, and reflective in how we spend our time and build our legacies.

Seneca’s words are a challenge to all of us: stop chasing the courtroom air and start building a life worth remembering.