I bumped into old VCRs of "Ally McBeal" as I was unearthing some stuff from yesteryears kept and thickly dusted in the basement. Suddenly, memories of one of my all-time favorite shows came rushing back. It got even more nostalgic when I remembered that I once dreamed of being a lawyer as an influence of my patronage to the "Ally McBeal" show. I thought then that court hearings are awesome being near lawyers as gorgeous as Calista Flockhart and Lucy Liu. I thought then that being a defender of the law is a very fun thing to do. Whether it is the accuser's or the defendant's side that will be represented, striking a victory in the courts of justice is what entirely matters, especially if you get media exposure and more clients afterwards.



I also loyally followed the dramas and twists in the courtroom drama of "The Practice." It is a show, which seriously dealt with matters of legal concern, unlike "Ally McBeal," which had more wits, humor, and romance on its plate. But then, both are great shows that I am sure inspired many from my generation to give law practice a serious thought. Well, I almost did. Good thing my (dis)illusion was washed away when the two shows finally bit the dust. But still, I give high regards to law practice. I think it is still one of the *rewarding job options* many people want to consider. I still get a great deal of awe watching lawyers in action, be it in reality, television, or movies. I would never forget that powerful and evocative scene in "I Am Sam" where Michelle Pfieffer represented Sean Penn for the custody of his daughter. Who was not moved with Tom Hank's superb characterization of a lawyer in "Philadelphia"? Of course, how can we miss Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) in "Legally Blonde"? Lawyers are really amazing, no matter what their strategies are. Dare to argue and you will surely have your day in the court.

Seriously, law, as well as its practice, is very crucial job to take on. Inheriting from and passing on to the next generation the tenets of law, order, and justice that the great thinkers of ancient times have built is no sitting-pretty matter. When a lawyer handles a case, the client's life greatly depends on how well he or she can be represented. Not only that, a lawyer is placed in a life-turning event whenever he or she takes on a case. A triumph or defeat can change the client's life, the lawyer's practice, and even the way the society views and deals with legal matters. But still, it is no wonder why many people dream of becoming a lawyer. The complexity of the job is nothing compared to the nobility of the principle of law and justice.

In a recent study I came across on, most universities said that there is an increasing interest to study law among many people. Even more surprising are the findings that the interest is not only coming from a particular *economic class*. Perhaps many non-elites think and feel that they should have more in law to compensate for their lack of fortune. But most surprising of all is that degrees in law and justice can now be obtained through the internet alone. This could only mean that indeed, many people are having more interest about how the legal system of the society works. Be it for their personal dispense or for their career path, what is good about this development is that knowledge of the law has become more accessible to the people. This development is most likely to make us a nation of people who know their rights, what is lawful and not, and the right way of seeking justice.

Many universities have now made their degree programs on law and justice accessible through online education. More than a language course, real estate course, or a computer course, a degree on legal studies, law enforcement, etc. can now be obtained through online education. The Liberty University, Kaplan University, and Walden University are just some institutions that offer online degree on criminal justice. The Concord Law School is a very credible institution, being the pioneer on online law and justice education. The Juris Doctor degree it offers is among the top choices for many online law students. The Grand Canyon University and the Strayer University, on the other hand, are just examples of many universities offering courses on economic crimes, law enforcement, and justice administration. Most of these universities offer not only bachelor's degree but masteral and doctorate degrees as well.