As children, we all find ourselves being governed by the "laws" created by our parents. These rules, (to some more lenient parents, more like guidelines) often begin with the word no. Edicts like, "No food upstairs!", "No shoes in the house!" or "No mess in the kitchen!" may seem very familiar. As the daughter of two lawyers, I've learned to experience a new interpretation of what the "law" means not only in my house, but in my life. While there are certainly some difficulties associated with having professional arguers for parents (read: you will never win an argument), I have discovered ways to embrace the ways in which they have raised me. When you're the child of a lawyer, you'll know many of the following lessons all too well. And who knows? Maybe being raised by lawyers is just a long, twenty-some year intro course for law school.

1. Gossip is not a worthwhile pastime.

In the legal realm, this is a little something known as defamation - slander when spoken and libel when written. You know very well (perhaps after multiple lectures on the repercussions) that gossip not only fuels a hurtful fire, but is also technically illegal.

2. Good risk management can (literally) be a lifesaver.

Your parents are going out of town for the weekend and leaving you with the house to yourself? "Let's have a rager!" said no kid of a lawyer ever. While some of your friends might not even balk at the notion of hosting a boozy soirée, you know the liability roulette game you would risk if you choose to host. Not to mention the fact that your parents would probably kill you for almost getting their law licenses revoked should you get busted.

3. Time is your most precious commodity.

Sure, you may know that your parents bill by the hour, but you are cognizant of the importance of your time and the ways in which you choose to utilize it. Thinking swiftly and critically is almost innately part of your repertoire, thanks to your lawyer parent who has been honing this skill for years.

4. Only speak words that are kind, necessary, and true.

When I was little, my mom would love to pull out this trifecta when mediating arguments between my siblings. Your credibility is everything, as it takes years to build up and seconds to destroy. When you speak words that say otherwise, you are not only compromising everyone else's belief in your words, but also in you.

5. Once you put something in writing, it's forever.

This one is pretty self-explanatory, but you are well-aware of the power of hitting "send" and the might of the signature. Be wary of the words you choose, to whom you speak or send them to, and remember that those words can be tied to your name in the long run.

6. Read everything, sign nothing.

Okay, maybe the latter part of that phrase is a little extreme. However, you know to always read the fine print - whether it's next year's housing lease, an employment agreement, or your scribbled signature at the bottom of your brunch bill. Once you sign something, you are legally bound to its measures (see #5), so you know to read intently and sign sparingly.

7. Be a "closer."

Closing cases doesn't just happen in the courtroom. As finals time rolls around, my dad likes to gently remind me to "be a closer" in my classes. While it's tempting to resort to binge watching Netflix or scroll mindlessly through Buzzfeed during crunch time, it's essential to fight the urge to slack off and truly finish what you started.

8. Don't settle.

As the child of a lawyer, you become familiar with the art of arbitration. If you're not happy with something, then you know that you have the power to do something about it. Equipped with the lawyerly spirit in which you have been raised, you don't watch things happen, but make them happen.

9. Don't hold yourself to a standard of perfection, but rather that of eloquence and grace.

This one simply speaks for itself.

Don't agree with me? You can take that one up with my lawyer.