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...

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

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...

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. ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...