When I was younger, I thought networking was a dirty word. It connoted sleaze, and that old Kantian no-no, using people as a means to an end. It struck me as a sort of institutionalized bragging, the kind of thing you could only be good at if you had two...

Over the past year, the nation’s top 250 Law Firms decreased in size by 5,259 attorneys. This 4-percent drop is the largest since the National Law Journal began keeping such statistics 32 years ago. These figures reveal the dramatic...

Chances are you or someone you know in the legal profession has been drawn into the industry’s massive wave of layoffs, salary freezes, pay cuts and deferred hiring.  Those on the inside and external observers universally agree law firms are in...

The most basic skills everyone needs to know when searching for, interviewing for and holding a job in the legal profession.                                    ...

It's a rite of passage for graduates of top law schools. With offers in hand from prestigious firms, these charmed young legal brains take the bar exam, flit off to exotic locales for the traditional post-exam holiday, then return in the fall to begin...

New York State Bar Association Committee on Lawyers in Transition Webinar  by Ron Fox, Esq., Legal Career Counselor                                                                                           ...

With the current economic downturn and the grim hiring market overall, what options are available to lawyers and graduating law students?   Whether you are disappointed that you won’t be making a great deal of money, haven’t found...

Here you are worried about the kinds of offers you received or might receive after recent news that some large firms are cutting back, rescinding or delaying offers. Could an offer at a small firm, non-profit or other related job be a blessing in disguise? A...

Handling these disappointments and staying focused on moving forward are essential skills.                                    ...

Other than Bankruptcy, there are some interesting areas to consider when launching your legal career in these trying economic times.    ABAJournal.com features these seven promising areas: Alternative Dispute Resolution Prepaid...

Do the partners at your firm wear business suits every day? Every day except Friday? Or just when they meet with clients? Not even then? A number of factors can come into play: East or West Coast, clients in banking vs. technology, partners with a more traditional...

Amid reports that the economic downturn has cut the number of available openings at big firms for this year’s class, a survey by the LexisNexis HUB for New Attorneys notes that recent graduates did some shifting in order to land their first jobs. ...

  Before you hit the record button, Michael D. Young considers discrimination, copyright/trademark, fairness,  trade secret, slander and libel issues.                                                    ...

At the National Association of Women Lawyers Backpack to Briefcase program held at Loyola University School of Law in Chicago, a panel of distinguished women legal professionals was asked what one thing could make the transition to practice smoother. Following...

At the National Association of Women Lawyers Backpack to Briefcase program held at Loyola University School of Law in Chicago, a panel of distinguished women legal professionals advised the attendees on ways in which to establish a work ethic in a law firm...

Are you ready to "on ramp"? That is, are you an attorney who is ready to return to legal practice after leaving law for a year or more to care for your family? Two years ago, the University of California Hastings College of the Law's Center for...

For the last 25 years, I have written and spoken about the defects of traditional law schools although my primary effort since 1994 has been advising those negatively affected by the failures of traditional legal education - law students and dissatisfied...

In the PowerPoint presentation attached below, attorneys Mike Gaertner, Jennifer Kenedy, and Keith Parr impart their expert advice to incoming associates at Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP, a full-service, national law firm with offices in Atlanta,...

Most of us know what it feels like to be turned down for a job we hoped to get. Sometimes it's simply not a good match. But all too often the rejection stems from an interview slip-up. So how can we make sure to ace the next one? Interestingly, it's often...

Law firms increasingly are finding that they have excess capacity in their attorney ranks due to the economic slowdown. As a result, many of these firms would like to place some of their current or incoming attorneys at legal aid and other public service...

At the National Association of Women Lawyers Backpack to Briefcase program in Chicago, Dana Hill, Director of Pro Bono and Philanthropy in Seyfarth Shaw’s Chicago office, provided tips on navigating the stormy job market. Following is a synopsis of...

The transition from law student to lawyer can be tricky. There are unwritten rules that no one tells you. The old rule of thumb was “don’t burn down the firm and you’ll get an offer/get work/keep your job. Times have changed and firms are...

Last week, I attended the Backpack to Briefcase program presented by the National Association of Women Lawyers at Loyola University School of Law in Chicago. NAWL bills this offering as “a revolutionary program for law students and recent law school...

At the National Association of Women Lawyers Backpack to Briefcase program that was recently held at Loyola University School of Law in Chicago, Attorney Mona M. Stone was a presenter on a panel focused on “Working with Partners...

Would you like to know if the firm you are interviewing with or thinking of joining has any part-time partners, pays full benefits to reduced hours attorneys, or has promoted reduced hours associates to partner?  The Project for Attorney Retention (PAR)...

Do you break out in a cold sweat just contemplating a lunch interview? Does the thought of attending a firm formal fill you with trepidation? How about the myriad dinners scheduled for summer associates? When I was a new associate, I had pretty much mastered...

You’ve probably read articles about the tactics of networking for lawyers, such as volunteering for committees, attending events, writing articles, and so on. If you’re already sold on networking, then you should be doing those things. But if...

You're bright, talented with big ambitions for the future. Perhaps you want to make partner or start your own IP boutique. Or, maybe you see yourself leading the legal team of a global technology company. Whatever your dream— modest or bold—you'll...

In last October’s issue of the Hawaii Bar Journal, Hawaii State Bar YLD President Jill Hasegawa published an article setting forth 10 survival tips for surviving life as an associate. Given recent market events, her advice is more timely than ever....

Karen Sloan recently penned an article for The National Law Journal with helpful tips regarding job searching on the internet. Some of the highlights: Tailor your resume for each position and focus on the jobs you really want and are suited for...

The diverse educational and professional experience of lawyer turned corporate development and finance executive Michael Frankel offers a unique insight into where and how education can take you along your career path. Frankel left the University of Chicago...

Multiple resources exist to assist unemployed members of the bar. Here are a few to get you started on your quest for dealing with current realities and landing a new position: American Bar Association State Bar of Georgia New York State...

I just read yet another great blog by Dawn Wagenaar, principal with Ingenuity Marketing Group and contributor to The Complete Lawyer. She provides Four Impeccable Reputation Builders to assist you in building a career even when you plan on leaving your firm....

The Legal Intelligencer recently reported that the 300-lawyer Philadelphia district attorney's office has revoked its earlier offers to all 12 of the new attorneys who were scheduled to start there this fall. JDJournal reported that Lowenstein...

In 2006, the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia (“WBA”) launched its groundbreaking Initiative on Advancement and Retention of Women (“Initiative”). The Initiative focused on three questions. What do DC...

Building on the success of its 2006 report, Creating Pathways to Success , the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia’s (“WBA”) Initiative on Advancement and Retention of Women (“Initiative”) moved into its...

Statistics show that women are going to law school, graduating law school and becoming associates in law firms at a percentage that is consistent with male counterparts, according to NALP.    However, women are not staying in the legal profession...

The Project for Attorney Retention, an initiative of the Center for WorkLife Law at UC Hastings College of the Law, has posted a table that summarizes several essential features of part-time programs at selected law firms. According to the site,  ...

The Missouri Bar Association provides a free online “New Lawyer Survival Guide” with helpful tips on issues ranging from dealing with clients and other attorneys to client development and court personnel. The introduction provides,  ...

For both an educational and networking event, HB Litigation Conferences is hosting “Women in Law & Business: How to Arrive, Survive & Thrive at the Top,” an afternoon program on March 3 at the Westin Grand in Washington, DC.   ...

Wondering who has the best bar reimbursements, stipends and bonuses, salary advances, moving expenses, stub bonuses, and payback requirements? Above the Law has created an aggregated table based on comments and tips that were submitted. Also available is...

Wondering how the associate salaries in the firms you are considering compare? What about billable hour requirements? And how many attorneys are in that office, anyway? Alreadybored.com maintains a comparative list of large firms by region that sets forth...

Is a firm’s parental leave policy an issue for you? The Associate Pirate has been posting a running table of maternity and paternity leave policies based on survey reponses, comments, and tips.   View the maternity leave table.  ...

Given the current economic climate, cost-cutting measures at Biglaw are not surprising. Belts are tightening all around. How widespread is the problem?  Several sources are reporting on the phenomenon.   Law.com reports that Howard Rice...

According to its mission statement, the Practicing Attorneys for Law Students Program , or PALS ®, is dedicated to enhancing the skills and careers of minority law students and early career attorneys by offering customized mentoring, educational,...

This section includes profiles of and links to state, national and international Bar associations. The information includes current officers, organization profiles, contacts, annual meetings, and sections. ...

This section comprises listings of networks of law firms, usually international in scope. Many have been established for the joint practice of law, others to collect information, publish, sponsor seminars, and serve as a source of referrals.   ...

The links below will take you to information about associations focused on the legal professions and their Web sites.   American Association of Law Libraries   American Bar Association   American Health Lawyers Association...

You’ve just slam dunked your interview for that coveted associate position at a prestigious firm, having done everything to present yourself as perfectly as possible. Your resume is impeccable, you’ve practiced for your interview, and your presentation...

Starting the Bar Exam process early with the check list below will help you get organized and on your way to your Esquire. Some of these steps, like the MPRE, can be accomplished before you decide which Bar you will take. The Board of Law Examiners...

Potential employers often conduct interviews during a meal to gauge how well you will interact with clients and superiors. A firm wants to be assured that its associates, as representatives of the firm, will make a good impression on clients and others. Accordingly,...

It's bad form to send out a résumé without a cover letter. The prospective employer wants to know how you heard about the position, why you're interested in it, and what you know about the employer. A cover letter also gives you the opportunity...

If you are considering starting your own law practice, congratulations! It is a huge step, but it can also be a very rewarding one. With proper planning and a true entrepreneurial spirit, you can be quite successful.   Although law school gave...

As bad bosses go, having a favorite employee seems to be one of the most commonly stated complaints. If you have a bad boss, and are clearly not his favorite, there are some things that you can do to make the situation more bearable.   1) Become...

At one time or another, everyone feels overwhelmed by their workload. Attorneys are certainly no exception. In fact, most of us fully expect to spend far more than 40 hours per week at our jobs. But are we really being asked to do too much?   ...

I ended last month having shot myself in the foot after killing a job offer from my 2L summer firm with my counteroffer. As we all know, dead offers can’t be revived and the no-counteroffer rule proved to be very much alive. I was out of a job and...

The wisdom of using alternatives to the billable hour has been debated for years. Although the billable hour is still the mainstay in the legal profession, alternative billing is becoming increasing popular. But is it truly a better option?   ...

When you start a new job, you are generally informed about the company or firm’s sexual harassment policies. But what about a coworker or superior who takes a romantic interest in you? How do you handle that situation?   Sexual Harassment...

Ever tried to negotiate with someone only to have a counteroffer blow up in your face? If so, you’ll appreciate this story about a 3L’s experience.     The Counteroffer   You’ve probably heard of the no-counteroffer...

Making the Most of Your Resources: Support Staff   In the American army the first sergeant, the senior noncommissioned officer in a company, has long been deferentially referred to as the "top kick" and affectionately called "Top."...

You like to rise with the roosters rather than burn the midnight oil. Is this acceptable? What if everyone else works late? Will this affect your career?   Not everyone lives – or works – on the same schedule. Gone are the days of 9-to-5...

Have you ever pitched an idea or came up with a solution that was ignored until someone else brought it up later? As infuriating as it is, it happens a lot. But what do you do about it?   Sometimes your idea is ignored simply because of timing....

You think that your salary is below the going market rate and you deserve a raise. How do you go about getting the pay that you serve? It’s time to use those negotiation skills for your own benefit.   You have to ask for it.  ...

With so many people out of work, the current economic downturn, and the world financial structure in crisis, where does that leave attorneys in the job market?   It is certainly no surprise to hear that many firms are laying off lawyers. According...

At a symposium on work/life conflict in the legal profession, Attorney Cynthia Thomas Calvert discussed professional women and the special challenges they face in balancing work and life. Her insightful comments were reproduced in Rutgers’ Women's...

At some point in our careers, almost every attorney considers at least one job change. This is a very normal part of work in every career field. But that doesn’t make the decision any easier. Even the most well-adjusted people have trouble with change....

You have to be in court this morning, but the school just called to say that your child is sick and needs to go home. What do you do?   Balancing work and a family is not a unique problem to those practicing law. With so many dual career families...

During your summer employment you may be exposed to several different practice areas. Are any of them especially appropriate for you? To help you decide, here’s a brief overview of five different practice areas: corporate, securities, patents, labor...

In their note published in Stanford Law Review, 60 Stan. L. Rev. 2087, Andrew Bruck and Andrew Canter address supply, demand, and the changing economics of large law firms. They write:   A unique set of economic conditions has created a buyer's...

Not happy at your current job? Want a better one? When, and how, do you find the time to search for a new one?   In the current job market, very few workers stay with one employer for their entire career. In fact, many people are constantly...

You say that you have never had a difficult boss? Consider yourself lucky. At one time or another throughout our careers, most of us will have to deal with what we consider to be a “bad” boss. In fact, there are thousands of articles on this...

Several years ago, I learned a valuable lesson about what I feel is the right place to be in any organization. I was a mere 18 years old, hundreds of miles and worlds away from life as I knew it. In other words, I was at basic military training (aka “boot...

You’ve only been an associate at your office for a few months. You’re overwhelmed with getting up to speed and the workload. Several days a week, your coworkers go out to lunch, but you generally choose to eat at your desk while working in order...

Cultural translator and generational expert Lynne C. Lancaster has written an interesting article on generation gaps in law firms and how firms can actively manage expectations in ways that can bridge those gaps. After anecdotally identifying some of the...

By now you’ve probably heard about the delayed start dates at some of the biggest U.S. firms. Could it be a harbinger of better days ahead? According to an article on Above the Law, short term pain could mean long term gain for associates .  Following...

The concept of the Mentor has been around for a long time. (An upscale magazine by that title was published in the United States a century ago.) Just what is a mentor, as that term has come to be understood, and what part can a mentor relationship play...

Especially in lean economic times, not every summer associate who delivers good work product will get an offer from the firm. The decision often involves a recruiting or hiring committee with a variety of firm professionals reviewing oral and written evaluations...

How much have you learned during the summer? You likely developed techniques for: Drafting specific kinds of documents Working with a variety of attorneys, adapting to their styles and meeting their requirements...

Have the steadily increasing salaries at Biglaw put stars in your eyes? Just how many new attorneys will be bringing home the $160K bacon this year? Or more? Many people, law students included, have the impression that lawyers routinely start out at six...

Summer is winding down, so that means that if you are a “splitter,” you’re settling in at your second firm. What’s conventional wisdom on the practice? Lynne Traverse, a recruiting and professional development manager at Bryan Cave,...

Although you probably aren’t the only smart, talented, hard-working summer associate at your firm—and hiring trends have moderated—you can take steps to stand out and maximize your chances of securing an offer. Firms recommend that you...

You just graduated law school or opened the door to your new law firm. The price of getting back and forth to the office may be higher than what you may earn in those first few weeks, or months. How do you cope?   The Law School Graduate...

Professor Greg W. Bowman gave a talk at Mississippi College School of Law on interviewing techniques. The video is available online here at the Mississippi School of Law website. According to Professor Bowman’s blog, he has used these techniques on...

One of the latest trends in the legal practice is outsourcing some of the work to outside firms and overseas companies. With legal fees at most firms ranging from $300 to $1,000 per hour, clients seeking to reduce costs may welcome the use of personnel...

Your future. It’s out there … somewhere. All you need is the right organization, the right door and the right person impressed enough with you to open it.   Now, chances are, opportunity won’t come calling. You’ll be...

Law school teaches students to be effective advocates for their clients, but few students are taught to be effective advocates for themselves. As you begin your job search, remember to advocate for your own benefit by negotiating for a higher compensation...

State Requirements   Thirty-four states now require that attorneys take continuing legal education (CLE) courses in order to retain their license to practice law.   Attorneys in these states are required, on average, to complete...

What’s more important to you – your salary or your social life? As income increases lead to rising billable hour requirements and less time for family, friends and fun, associates should take stock in what’s most important to them....

You’re living your dream—you secured your law degree, passed the bar and are now working at a prestigious law firm. That’s a tremendous accomplishment. However, if the demands of the billable-hour environment have dampened your enthusiasm,...

The practice of law would seem to be one of the few areas that is safe from the outsourcing trends that have had such a profound affect on American business. That’s no longer the case.   According to the New York Law Journal : “Outsourcing...