My goodness, is U.S. Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia getting in touch with his feminine side? It's hard to believe, but this free marketer and proponent of traditionalism is voicing support for what women have been clamoring for: work/life balance.

During a recent speech at the University of Chicago Law School's Federalist Society meeting, Scalia dispensed some career advice to students, along with his views about the Constitution, reports The Chicago Sun Times. Though his talk about the right to bear arms under the Second Amendment sounded fascinating—and I'm not being facetious here—my job is to tell you what Scalia says about legal careers.

Here's what he advise law students, according to the Sun Times:

“Try to find a practice that enables you to maintain a human existence  . . . time for your family, your church or synagogue, community . . . Boy Scouts, little league,” Scalia said, noting he started with Jones Day in Cleveland. “You should look for a place like that. I’m sure they’re still out there. Maybe you have to go to Cleveland.”

Hmm—that "Maybe you have to go to Cleveland" line sounds like a veiled threat. It might also strike the good folks of that midwestern city as a bit patronizing. But you know Scalia—he's a wicked jokester.

In any case, Scalia goes on to say that his son Eugene has found his own little Garden of Eden in the world of big firms—and he didn't even have to step foot in Ohio! Instead, Eugene Scalia has managed to stay right in the center of action—in the Washington, D.C., office of a California firm.

“My son Gene went to Gibson, Dunn," Scalia told the audience. "Any big firm has the basic ethos of its head office, and if the head office is in La La Land, it’s gonna be a little laid-back.”

Gibson, Dunn laid-back? Well, I'm not sure most lawyers would agree. (Yo, Gene, are you really not that busy?)

As for the La La Land culture of the firm? Well, I guess it's sort of a compliment. Or some kind of an ironic commentary on a very straitlaced firm.

Of course, what Scalia didn't say is that being a Supreme Court justice is probably the best job of all. You have a nice schedule, groupies fawning at your feet, lifetime job security, plus you know you'll get a front-page obituary in The New York Times. Not even Gibson, Dunn can give you all those goodies.

Related post: Bloomberg Judge Hostile to Work/Life Balance?

Hat tip: ABA Blog