Although I’ve only spent a week studying the law, I’ve already begun to see the similarities and differences between the law and science. In matters of law, just like in the field of science, there aren’t always black-and-white answers. In science, however, we make our best educated guess and do experiments to elucidate the answer. If you’ve guessed wrong, or the answer is contrary to what anyone would normally guess, you’re out of luck. I spent much of my graduate career trying to figure out if my guesses were correct; some were and some weren’t. In the law, however, it is the responsibility of the lawyer to persuade the judge to believe his particular version of the gray area. Thus, instead of relying on technology or Mother Nature, we rely on our own abilities – our ability to argue, to persuade, to think critically and creatively. I would rather rely on my own abilities over a kinase assay any day! Now, to be fair, in matters of the law, just as in the field of science, one is at the mercy of outside influences beyond control, such as judges and jury. I’m not saying that either one is better than the other, merely that I seem to have a preference and I’m still glad I made the decisions I’ve made.