The author of To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee, based the character of Atticus Finch off her real life father, Amasa Coleman Lee. Like Amasa Coleman Lee, Atticus Finch is a lawyer who represented black defendants in highly publicized and "controversial" trials.
Atticus, although a fictional character from a novel, has impacted the legal profession immensely. Therefore, his fictional profession of attorney / lawyer is incredibly relevant. An article in the Michigan Law Review has stated about Atticus Finch: "No real-life lawyer has done more for the self-image or public perception of the legal profession."
Atticus has become the ultimate example of a selfless, social justice advocating, heroic lawyer. His motivation comes from his sense of justice and compassion in the world, knowing the world is unfair but doing his best to fight against the inequities. Thus, he often takes pro bono (from the Latin "pro bono publico, for the public good. often meaning for free) cases. The case of Tom Robinson, falsely accused of rape because of a racist system, is the main focus of Harper Lee's novel.
Often, his clients pay him with what they can, little bits of this and that, rather than actual money. However, Atticus and his family are still relatively well off in comparison to the other residents of Maycomb, Alabama. Although they are not wealthy because of Atticus's generosity, he makes sure that his children Jem and Scout realize that their lives are marked by privilege. He works as a lawyer "for a living," but that living is sparse.
His children, Jem and Scout, often see his profession as proof that he is not a cool person. (to use the modern colloquial term.) He is older than the other parents and he wears big eyeglasses. The fact that his job seems so boring and uninteresting to his kids makes them wish that he were cooler. However, by the end of the novel, Scout and especially Jem, come to an understanding of why their father does what he does. They have always loved him, but their admiration of him becomes more and more distinct as Atticus's motivations and convictions become clearer to them.
In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is an attorney. This is significant because he is appointed to be the public defender for Tom Robinson, a black man who has been falsely accused of the beating and rape of Mayella Ewell, a white woman. This draws a great amount of ire from the racist town of Maycomb and inspires criticism of the Finch family. Despite this, Atticus boldly defends Tom, clearly illustrating that Tom did not commit the crime and making it evident that it was Mayella's father who was responsible. However, due to the attitudes toward black individuals in the town, Tom is found guilty and sent to prison, where he is shot before Atticus has the chance to appeal.
As an interesting side note, Atticus's character is based on Amasa Coleman Lee, Harper Lee's father. Like Atticus,...
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Amasa was a lawyer; in fact, he defended two black individuals who were accused of killing a white storekeeper. Ultimately, the case—like Atticus's case—was lost, and the two men were hung.
Atticus Finch is a well-respected lawyer in Maycomb, Alabama. He is chosen to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell. The Finches are a well-established family in Maycomb and have the respect of its citizens. He is probably the one person who will have a chance to save Tom from going to prison. He saves Tom from a lynching mob one night, and it is because of the town's respect for him, and with a little bit of help from Scout, that he is able to diffuse the mob from carrying out their plan. More importantly, Atticus is respected by the black community. Even though he is unsuccessful in his defense of Tom Robinson, the black community understands that Atticus tries to give Tom the best defense to prove his innocence. As Atticus leaves the courtroom, the black community stands up in the balcony as he passes to show their respect. Atticus is a symbol of changing values in the South because of his empathy and regard for all people.
Atticus Finch's occupation is incredibly important to this fabulous American novel. Considering your words are what Atticus does "for a living," I assume you are referring to what he does to "bring home the bacon" for the family (i.e. how he makes his money); therefore, I'm afraid being a dad (although just as important, and probably more important) can't be considered what he does "for a living." He is a lawyer and, as such, agrees to defend Tom Robinson in court against the Ewell family who accuses poor Tom of both assaulting and raping Mayella Ewell. Atticus Finch is not only a lawyer, but a good lawyer at that. He uses, as evidence, the fact that Tom Robinson doesn't have use of his left arm to prove that the injuries to Mayella could not have been committed by Tom. In fact, they were committed by Bob Ewell, Mayella's father. Unfortunately, despite Atticus' noble efforts, Tom is convicted anyway.
I would add that Atticus often takes on work pro bono (works for free) or accepts payment in trade for goods and services. As a result, he is nearly as poor as some of the clients that he serves. Atticus embodies the concept of being a public servant. He does not practice law for financial gain but for the good of the public and the cause of justice.
Atticus Finch is a lawyer in a small southern town.