October Caption Contest Vote! November 3, 2009
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October Caption Contest November 3, 2009
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Where are they now? October 21, 2009
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Recently, I decided to check in on those of my first-year colleagues who were affected negatively by the firm’s decision to reduce their attorney force.
I asked each if they found work, how long it took them if they did, what approach they used and how their new salary compared.
While, I was surprised to learn some had landed ably on their feet, many had either relocated far from where they wanted to be, taken positions offering insulting rates of compensation, had gone back to law school, or were still actively looking for work.
Here is a quick look at how the class fared based on my very unscientific and informal poll:
Law Job Ravine October 18, 2009
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This print has many hidden details in its characters and colorful environment. The major theme depicted is the struggle of the young lawyer in today’s economic downturn. Click here for an explanation of the key features.
New Limited Edition Humor Print Commissioned! October 18, 2009
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This print has many hidden details in its characters and colorful environment. The major theme depicted is the struggle of the young lawyer in today’s economic downturn. Click here for an explanation of the key features.
T’was the night before layoffs, and all through the firm… October 14, 2009
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All of us at the firm saw the writing on the wall by the time February rolled around. Despite language any reasonable person would have interpreted as a “no-layoff” promise, coupled with discussions about how securely leveraged the firm was, it was still clear to all of us at the ground level that things were not going well. Whispers of impromptu partner meetings buzzed around the firm halls, cliques of young associates gathered together in offices to discuss the latest ATL gossip, chatter of suspiciously high rates of “counseled out” associates (i.e. stealth layoffs) spread like wildfire on the firm’s messaging system. It was the worst of times, and we all knew it.
The 5th Response (The School Desk Firm) October 12, 2009
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In one of my recent posts I talked about how I had resorted to craigslist to offer my services as an attorney. I mentioned how four out of five of my responses were not fruitful but one actually seemed promising.
It was an offer for part time work, and it was real work. Not just document review, in fact as far as the initial e-mail went no document review was even mentioned. It seemed like a legitimate chance to do substantive work at a contract rate of $30-$50 an hour, which is a decent wage for legal work. Although it wasn’t full time and the firm was relatively new and had very little reputation, I still felt it was a great opportunity. In fact, one of the only opportunities I’d received in 7 months of being unemployed. It would be something to put on my resume as a gap saver and a chance to learn and work on substantive legal issues. I was certainly on board.
Attorneyresume.com STINKS!!!! (they charge ridiculous fees to provide generic advice from internal crib sheets and free web articles) October 5, 2009
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AttorneyResume.com provides stock advice from sources freely available on the internet for an exorbitant fee.
When I was first put in a tailspin about not having a job, I thought the most prudent thing to do was to spend some time (and money or payday loans if needed) polishing up my candidacy. Afterall as I explained in last week’s post not having interviewed since October 2006 created a nearly three year gap where my primary concern was on professional development and not resume and interviewing skills.
Tales of Big Law Interviews and OCI Trinkets September 29, 2009
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Back in March when I just recently joined the 405 club, it was a shock to actually be interviewing again. See the way “Big Law, ” ELF recruiting works is that they hire candidates during their 2nd year of law school. Locking them up for two years in advance so no other firm rival can put their paws on them. This insanity, is part of the reason why we are in such a mess now. So I was hired in the Fall of 2006. Mind you the description that follows is for a good economy; but when the stars are aligned, the candidates sign up in advance with dozens of firms making an appearance at their law school in what is known as “On Campus Interviewing” or OCI.
Craigslist as Offeree September 23, 2009
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There comes a time in every jobless lawyer’s life when they have to look at themselves in the mirror and say, “it’s time to beg for a job on craigslist.” It’s not a proud moment, but just when there seems like no other option exists, crafting a post as offeree can be a bit empowering. My job search approach is a 5 pronged strategy.
