Graduated Law School in 2010!

Dive: Professional - Attorney
Description: Is a licensed attorney
Level: Level 2
Level Requirements: Has graduated law school
Certified On: Jul 22, 2025

Editor’s Note: On all dive certifications, we try to edit the writing as little as possible to preserve authenticity, personality, and writing style. We typically fix spelling errors, but minimally modify grammar and sentence structure (just enough to ensure readability).

Name: Monroe Mann Break Diving Level: Level 2 Number of Certified Dives: 17 From: United States In: United States

1. When and Why Did You Decide to Pursue This Dive At This Level? What was your inspiration and motivation?

For years, I refused to even consider becoming an attorney, because my parents were attorneys, and so was my sister. But in 2003, in NYC, I was trying to negotiate with a big talent agency in Hollywood to get a star on board my film, "In the Wake". The star was interested, and his agent passed me along to his attorneys. All I kept hearing was, "That's not negotiable" and "You're not an attorney". I got deployed to Iraq in 2004, and I decided if I survived, when I got back, I would go to law school, and become an attorney, so no one could talk to me like that again.

2. How Long Did It Take For You To Accomplish This Dive At This Level From The Day You Decided To Pursue It, And Why Did It Take That Long?

Law school itself took 3 years, but it probably took me about 10 years, because I fought against becoming an attorney for so long. I actually ended up spending 4 years at Pace Law, because after I finished my JD, I started an LLM (masters of law) in commercial real estate transactions. That was a 1 year program.

3. What Was The Hardest Part About Achieving This Particular Dive Level?

The first year as a 1L was really fun. The second and third years, as a 2L and 3L, not so much. It just became so repetitive. I felt like every class was the same: a huge case book. Lots of reading. A big final exam at the end of the semester. I was ready to graduate by the middle of the second year. So I think that the hardest part is having the patience and perseverance to just keep going.

4. What Was The Easiest Part About Achieving This Particular Dive Level?

Once you're in, you're in. You don't have a lot of quizzes or assignments during the semester. You just have to do the reading, show up, and be ready for the final exams at the end of the year.

5. What Is Your Advice For Someone Who Is Pursuing This Dive And Level?

Becoming a lawyer is something I am very proud of. But I don't love legal work. It's not my 'passion'. I became a lawyer precisely because I wanted to have more leverage in entertainment business negotiations. To that end, it has served me well. But beware: working as a lawyer may not be the dream job you're dreaming about. I suggest you do some internships at law firms before you decide to embark on this journey OR have a list of other things you can do with your law degree and/or license. For me, I've found multiple uses for my degree and license as an entrepreneur, a book author, an actor, a filmmaker, etc. So it was worth it. But I know many people who regret going to law school and now feel trapped in a legal career they hate, and unfortunately, don't have the courage to go do something else.

6. What Are Some Of The Best Resources You Recommend to Those Pursuing This Dive At This Level, And Why Do You Recommend Them? Please Include Relevant Weblinks, If Applicable.

Gosh, it's been so long, but here are a couple of resources that may help.

Resource 1: Pace Law - You can read more about law school at the website of my alma mater.

Resource 2: Is Law School Right For You? - This is an interesting article from Forbes magazine discussing this very question.

Resource 3: -

Resource 4: -

Resource 5: -

7. Tell Us A Story Of One Of Your Adventures While Pursuing This Dive (At This Level).

I'm not sure this is a particularly inspiring story, but it's the thing that stands out most to me about law school: I had a ton of friends and was so popular as a 1L, and then suddenly everything changed and I felt like a social pariah as a 2L and 3L. I think it's because as a 1L, everyone was friends with everyone, because it was all so new. But by year 2, cliques had all formed. I remember many people would come to my improv and acting shows in New York City during our first year, but after that, no one did. And in the first year, we would all go hang out together on Mamaroneck Avenue, but in years 2 and 3, I was no longer invited (or these get togethers just stopped).

This may also explain why I loved the first year so much, but why I grew bored in years 2 and 3----in the last 2 years, it was just class. During my first year, it was a great adventure!

In any case, I finished, and I'm looking forward to sharing about my additional legal adventures at the higher levels of this dive.

8. What Evidence Did You Submit to Prove You Met the Requirements for This Dive and Level?

My legal website is: https://www.monroemannlaw.com

My AVVO legal profile is: https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/10601-ny-monroe-mann-3417375.html

However, here is the best evidence:

9. Will You Be Pursuing The Next Level For This Dive? If Yes, Why? If Not, Why Not?

Absolutely! This Level 2 dive only covers law school, and the next level covers actually passing the bar and becoming a lawyer! So I am excited to share that brutal experience with you, haha.

10. What is the Break Diver's Creed?

No Rules. No Excuses. No Regrets.

Certificate photo:

And having made this post, and provided adequate evidence to the dive committee, Monroe Mann is now hereby certified by Break Diving, Inc. as: Professional - Attorney - Level 2. Congratulations ! Thank you for being an inspiration to others!

Certificate number: 871

The author above wrote this WYSEguidance post as one of the certification requirements to become certified by Break Diving, Inc. for a dive completed. Would you also like to find greater success, happiness, and friendship, and make genuine supportive connections with others around the world pursuing your same dreams? Come join us at Break Diving and soon your story will be the next one you read about on this site!

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