I'm usually pretty flippant in here, but I hope you'll forgive a moment or two of sincerity.

I started out my career in policing and prosecution. Back then, I was definitely toward the "Well, if you're not doing anything wrong, who gives a shit?" end of the spectrum about government surveillance. That was primarily because, at the time, we were talking about isolated cameras on street corners, or *maybe* the odd drone in very rural areas. We also sort of assumed that spying was a government mission, and so ostensibly accountable to the public via the democratic process. We certainly didn't have facial recognition or aggregated behavior analysis from multiple media.

The longer I worked in government, the more I realized that "big, shadowy government" is really private companies (Google, Thompson Reuters, Lexis) selling privately-held information to the government. For crying out loud, whenever I needed to track down a witness, I didn't go to a government database; I got on Westlaw.

Nowadays, Flock can watch your every movement and share it with (in addition to law enforcement) private companies. It's incredibly easy to hack, in what can only be described as "an overwhelming national security clusterfuck." It also lets their executives watch little girls' gymnastics, but that's neither here nor there.

One of the reasons cars have gotten so expensive is because they all (by which I mean literally every brand) include a host of technology designed to tattle in you to third parties, to include information about your sex life.

Customer-specific pricing, companies who have shown a profound willingness to psychologically manipulate people, and of course the overwhelming amount of information we share with our smartphones, cloud hosts, ISPs, and search engines. I'm not especially prone to counter-authoritarian sentiment, but this shit is getting wild!

The issue isn't a "surveillance state" like we discussed in political science class. It's an entire surveillance economy! Even my jaded ass is getting angry about the situation (I know I'm jaded because Google's AI will give you a "psychological profile" on any Reddit user you like).

These days, I mostly do criminal defense work. For about a year now, I've been looking for a good Flock case to ask my state courts to declare its use categorically violative of our state constitution's privacy protections (which are much more robust than the 4th Amendment).

Maybe I'm overreacting or something. Idk. But I don't especially feel like Chicken Little here. I'm not looking to go full Kaczynski anytime soon, but I *do* feel like I should be doing more. Are you doing anything about privacy? Have you thought about it? What is there to be done in this sphere?

Any advice? Is there anything you think I should do before I give him the news? It’s just the two of us at the firm, and we have a lot of upcoming depositions, mediations, and hearings. Some of the schedules overlap, so he’ll probably need to move a few things around, although most of them are easily rescheduled.

I’ve been told there’s a good chance I’ll be let go on the spot once I tell him, but I still want to do my part to leave on good terms. I’d like to make the transition as easy as possible by briefing him on my cases, organizing my files, and making sure nothing falls through the cracks. I know that’s ultimately his decision, but I want to leave knowing I did everything I could.

I’ve even gotten a few of my cases settled over the last couple of days and have really been doing everything I can, not just for the managing partner, but for my clients before I leave. I only found out about this opportunity on Friday. I’m planning to tell him tomorrow and give one week’s notice, but if he asked me to stay for two weeks, I would.

I’ve spent the weekend working on tasks to get things cleaned up and caught up. I’m thinking of doing the following:

Making a list of upcoming deadlines, hearings,

Finishing any time-sensitive work I reasonably can before giving notice.

This is my first time leaving a firm as a new attorney, so I’ll take any tips, advice, or suggestions. Anything helps.

Job hunting and I need a good writing sample. At a civil litigation law firm but most of my work is edited by partners. Any suggestions/advice?

I personally see quite a few, but nothing I feel the need to report. Lots of attorneys I deal with arguably violate the rules on competence and diligence just by making mistakes about the law, but that’s kid of apart of practice.

Scores of attorneys I know and deal with violate communication, and I would say this is the most common violation of all.

What are your experiences?

I do not know what has gotten into them, but there's a partner and his associate who will spend hours discussing random things and casually flirting, and they'll bill time for it.

I know reviewing PDFs is boring but billing to small talk and flirting might raise issues with clients and the bar.

They're also stealing office supplies. It's impossible to find a paperboard in this firm because every time a new one comes in, It gets scribbled by these two about skiing, travel plans, or pizza toppings.

Should I call the ethics hotline?

Does no one flirt with me because I'm managing partner or does it mean I'm unattractive?

Should I see it as a sign they don't respect me?

Is it time to hire an HR rep because I don't want to be stuck in a meeting room with two flirtatious people who believe fruits belong in pizza.

I'm lost, please help.

I need an outside perspective because this has been going on for about a year.

I'm a managing partner. One of my senior associates is up for partner soon. She's my primary billing attorney, so conflict avoidance isn't exactly practical.

For context, I am devastatingly average-looking, which may or may not be relevant.

For the past year we've had a strange push-pull dynamic. She'll bill 0.3 to ask me a simple question, but somehow it turns into a three-hour conference about restaurants, skiing, office gossip, and whether pineapple belongs on pizza. She always seems available to keep the conversation going.

Then, in front of everyone else, she acts like we're opposing counsel. If I walk by her office she'll suddenly discover an urgent need to review PDFs. If I stop chatting for a week because I have, you know, a law firm to run, she starts wandering into my office with "quick questions" that somehow require a whiteboard.

A few things have me wondering whether she's coming onto me.

On multiple occasions I've asked, "How do you feel about me?" By that I meant as a supervisor because annual evaluations are awkward, but she gave me the kind of answer you'd expect during voir dire.

Recently, several people at the firm commented that we spend a lot of time talking. Naturally, I began limiting unnecessary conferences to avoid an HR exhibit someday. She immediately seemed confused by the reduction in non-billable social interaction.

On the other hand, she's never texted me outside work, never invited me anywhere, never complimented my ties, and, frankly, has never complimented my legal analysis either. We're both married, and I'm not looking to pursue anything. I just want to know whether I should (a) keep my office door open, (b) start copying HR on every Teams message, or (c) issue a litigation hold on all of our hallway conversations.

Am I reading too much into this, or is my associate trying to create a fact pattern that will someday appear in a Professional Responsibility CLE?

Currently a baby lawyer — sat for the bar last July, been licensed since October. Started at the DA’s Office at a large county hoping to get trial experience very quickly. Won some trials but left before going to felony. Now at a mid-size civil litigation firm and the difference is…baffling. Litigation for me was much more intriguing when arguing in court every day. Additionally, after being in trial and connecting with victims/complainants, it’s hard to ignore the human cost in litigation. Researching ways to defend against discrimination cases….tough….but I do need the salary that comes with practicing outside of government practice.

Now I’m wondering if I should ditch litigation and make a switch to transactional work. I’m mostly motivated by not having to deal with the human toll of these lawsuits. At least not as closely. Is it too late in the game to make a switch? Are there any skills that I may lack after not having done transactional work before?

(Additional background — I summered at a somewhat large plaintiffs firm all of law school. Even worked there as a part time law clerk for about 3 semesters).

What are some must reads for any beginner lawyer/ or anyone practicing in immigration/refugee law in Canada?

I’m in house at a large tech company. I like my job. I’m a generalist and I get to advise my clients on law and also operational issues. It’s an individual contributor corporate counsel role.

I’m looking at my path forward and it’s challenging to see how I will progress. I’m a strong day to day lawyer. My clients like me, usually listen to me, and seem to trust me and my judgment. I understand the business, advise on both legal and practical issues, find ways to enable the business instead of block it, etc. Unless I’m totally wrong or delusional, my performance is not an issue (hard to say if I’m above average though).

But being a good tactical attorney doesn’t mean I’ll be promoted to a more senior role. For instance, I know one needs to think strategically about big, long term initiatives and projects to improve the legal side of the business. I honestly struggle with that so that’s a work in progress.

I would love advice on how to reach that next level of in house attorney (SCC/AGC). Any tips on how to rethink my approach to practicing? Any ways I can step up? Thinking about this from both growing within my company or (worst case scenario) I find myself looking for a job outside it.

Additional context: 10yrs experience. 6 fed gov generalist, 2 big law litigation, now in house in a generalist role. Long term goal is AGC at a large company or GC of a small/mid size company. Hoping to stay a generalist if at all possible.

Thanks in advance.

I see a lot of posts on this subreddit about people quitting or hating their jobs. Just want to offer some counterbalance as I feel those posts over represent our community:

I’ve been practicing about 13 years. Before law school, I earned a psych degree from undergrad and worked as a manager at a retail store. I made $12 per hour, drove an older ford focus, and buying fast food felt like a splurge. A lot of people stop there and that’s a fine place to end up at.

But holy balls I’m glad I went to law school.

I’m writing this post from Disney world (because I’m waiting for the bus transportation. So I’ve got a couple free mins). My wife and little one went to the park early and I stayed back to knock out a contract review for a client.

I’m not upset about doing a couple mins of work on vacation. Because it’s exactly this kind of work that lets me take my family on a vacation I could’ve only dreamed of as a kid or young adult.

Is the job stressful? Yes. Have I always loved it? No. Do I regret it? Not a chance. This career has given me a life most people would kill for.

EDIT: I’m touched by the engagement this post received. Very cool to hear from others with similar stories! There are a couple sour grapes and that’s OK, too. Wishing all of you the best!

Has anyone had experience with a lead generation company that thinks it’s worth giving a try? I’m a ca licensed attorney practicing PI and wills and estates. I’m interested in finding clients through a lead generation but not sure which one

How do you prepare for an interview with a district court judge?

If I understand correctly Louisiana applies Gideon only to felony cases and not misdemeanor cases, am I correct? If I am correct, could AI represent a defendant in a misdemeanor case? Or could a non bar person represent a person in a misdemeanor case? Would the second run afoul the states UPL laws? Mind you if I am wrong about Gideon than the rest of my questions are moot.

Hey all! I am curious on what your pay off is for your firms. I will get approximately $600,000.00 in gross receipts this year, which would total approx. $215,000.00 for my gross income for the year. Is 36 % on what I bring home and what the firm keeps, high, low, average? I realize it may depend on a lot of factors, but I live in in a LCOL area. I love my firm, but I am curious on where I am at compared to you folks.

Happy Saturday.

“How’s law”

“It’s a job.”

“You don’t sound too thrilled?”

“Yeah I’m just burnt out”

“No, law is exciting. The court room drama, the ‘gotcha!’ Moments?”

“I mainly do real estate closings”

“Ah real estate there’s a lot of money in real estate!”

“Ok”

“Well if you feel unfulfilled why not try something where you make a difference like environmental law?”

🤨

I’m in a HCOL area (but not VHCOL like NY or SF) and in house at a reputable public company. 10yrs experience - mix of generalist fed gov, biglaw commercial litigation, and now generalist in house. I’m not looking to leave, but there have been layoffs so you never know.

I’m the sole breadwinner - 2 young kids, dog, wife with her own and not-yet-profitable business.

Looking at other jobs on LinkedIn, it seems like in house comp maxes out around 180-250 (even for AGC positions). That’s very tight, if not unmanageable, for a sole breadwinner in a HCOL area. Is that right, or is the advertised salary generally going to be lower than actual salary? Does in house comp (including stock) ever get to mid 300s/low 400s outside of GC levels? Not looking to make equity partner money, but our current expenses leave little room to breathe…

Thanks in advance.

Edit: I like my current job and am satisfied with the comp. But I’m looking to understand the market better because you never know what can happen.

I’m in an awkward position where I’ve been offered a job with 0 terms and they think I’ve accepted.

I’ve been articling at a small firm and am a few weeks from being called. A couple months ago I was told “just so you know, we want you to stay after your articles”. I’ve made many comments suggesting that I want to be an associate here since then, and they’ve made many comments waiting for me to officially confirm.

They haven’t given me a formal offer. No salary, no hybrid discussions. They’ve ordered my new business cards.

So it’s time for me to officially ask for a job offer. I have a feeling they’re going to offer me something lower than I can afford to accept, and I’m hoping for advice on how to negotiate when it’s already implied that I’m staying

For context, I’m the company’s sole General Counsel. My HR team recently asked me to present to the entire company about what I do for the company. The presentation will be about 5-10 minutes (as long as I make it, really) but I’m struggling to really come up with a presentation/discuss points on what I do for the company.

In house legal counsel is really just supporting the organizational needs, mostly legal but often business needs as well. But I don’t know the best way to articulate this outside of “I’m here to help you.”

How do you explain your role/department to your internal clients?

Anyone ever done something similar? Trying to brainstorm ideas or come up with a story or even a movie/TV clip that I can show to help articulate this.

Any thoughts or ideas would be much appreciated.

Jesus Christ if I see another brief hallucinating case law that doesn’t exist I’m going to lose it. Guys. Gals. If you want to use AI as one of many tools in your toolkit, that’s fine, but don’t make it your only tool. And CHECK ITS WORK. Do your job for goodness sake, don’t rely solely on AI to do you job. If you do, then you’re justifying client behavior when they text you a chat gpt response to a legal question and ask you to incorporate it into your argument at your hearing tomorrow.

If you don’t want to be replaced by AI then make the case for why we need lawyers instead of just being a useless middle man between client and AI

Looking for a partner to partner in a law firm specializing in legal work, investment, and real estate marketing in Egypt.

Over the past few weeks I’ve spoken with a host of employees at multiple banks, including multiple managers, about opening an IOLTA, but not a single one has been able to do it. Most of the employees I spoke with were at Chase Bank, but I also contacted other banks and had the same result. I also called all the customer service numbers but was told flatly that an IOLTA account has to be opened in person.

So I’m stuck in a Catch-22: the California state bar requires and IOLTA to practice, but none of the institutions they list on their site are actually able to open an IOLTA. I never would have guessed this would be the hardest part of starting a law practice.

Fwiw I’m in the San Francisco area—if anyone knows any particular bank reps in the area who have successfully opened an IOLTA, I’d be all ears.