And Now The Hard Part
(Or: Meet ATL’s incoming editor.)
My name is ELIE YING MYSTAL, f/k/a SOPHIST, and it looks like I will be taking over day-to-day editorial responsibilities here at Above the Law.
I would like to thank everybody who read anything that I’ve written over the past three weeks. I’ve always found writing to be a deeply personal experience and so I truly appreciate it when somebody bothers to read my work. Whether any of you actually liked it is a different question entirely, but one that we can work on together.
I’d also like to applaud the other contestants for their efforts. The best writing and journalism is almost always a collaborative process. I was impressed with what the other contestants were able to produce without the editors and other colleagues available to most professional writers. I hope this contest has given you all additional confidence about your own skills and talents.
I intend to rely heavily on the structures already in place here at ATL during this transition and beyond. I will learn everything I can from David Lat short of going “Sylar” with his brain. I was ecstatic to learn that many of the regular contributors to this site will be staying on. I will read as many comments as time allows, and try to draw out the “constructive” aspects hidden among the criticism.
I want to get better at this, and I will take advice on how to accomplish that in whatever form it is available.
More about me after the jump.
I haven’t yet had a chance to look “under the hood” and learn how ATL works. My first job is raising my game to match the quality and consistency of ATL. I’ll be more focused on that project than making changes right out of the gate.
I believe that my personal opinions and beliefs should be as far removed from the content that I post as possible. However, I’ll let the readers be the judge of whether I am doing a good job at maintaining intellectual and professional impartiality. Here are some of my identification labels.
I’m male. I’m liberal. I’m Catholic (of the “a la carte” variety). I believe in evolution and global warming. I’m happily married. I’m African-American (Althouse. “Racism alert.” What does that even mean? Go jump in a Great Lake). I’m a Mets fan. I prefer the PS3 to the Xbox 360. I think the ASPCA does some of the best work on the planet, while PETA does some of the worst. I hate vegetables on general principle. I’m 30. I worked at Debevoise & Plimpton and still think they are a great firm, as Biglaw firms go.
Thank you for trusting me with a part of your workday entertainment. I will not let you down.
Elie Mystal
(135) 
Comments
let me be the first to welcome you
Finally an editor that refers to himself as I and not we.
Wow. Now I know Lat was no hottie, but c'mon...
Shut up.
Harvard College, Harvard Law School, Debevoise -- not too shabby.
you're not a 60 year-old former legislator?
google confuses me.
liberal, global warming, Mets fan. ATL, R.I.P. I'm out.
It will be good to have a liberal to balance out Lat's conservatism.
Maybe we can get a guest post about McCain's economic plan (or lack of one).
Cautiously optimistic about where ATL will go from here.
I kind of love that the contestant accused of racism was black, and the one accused of anti-semitism was jewish.
Welcome! (And ignore 3.)
is there a reason why that picture needs to be an extreme closeup?
Co-sign #10, that's too funny....
Not to be confused with the prestigious and famous Suffolk County legislator of the same name.
Please don't make this a website centered around fall recruiting and summer associate lunches. That is all.
welcome aboard
Please don't make this more political than it already is. We're not all liberal in these parts.
You had me at "Ann Althouse, go jump in a great lake."
This is exciting. Welcome! Please continue to publish firm salaries, benefits and other policies as they change, and during the bonus cycle. It is so helpful to associates to know what the market is.
wow. he's got a giant head. but I guess it's filled with brains. good writer (at times).
"Prestigious and famous" might be a stretch for his (presumptive) father's comments that if he lived in a community where illegal immigrants lined up for work on the side of the road he would "load up [his] gun and start shooting, period" (http://longislandnation.blogspot.com/2007/03/shoot-first-introduce-legislation-later.html#links) and who was forced to resign amid speculation he violated election laws by not residing in his district (http://libizblog.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/suffolk-county-down-one-legislator/).
But that is not to take away from the younger Elie's acheivement or to impugn him personally. If I was guilty of all the sins of my father, I would be in jail.
I agree with #11; definitely something to hide there with such a close-up shot. I
Liberal, Mets Fan, Debevoise & Plimpton...3 strikes I'm out.
He has done some quite good political reporting in the past:
http://www.nycapitolnews.com/authors/?authorID=6
He only has 38 friends on Facebook. Doesn't Lat have like 5,000 or something ridiculous?
You're not a chick? Totally lame. It would've been nice if you were a good-looking girl, unlike Kash.
I'm just glad you're not a shill for the Republican party.
Sophist = Oleen both cause loose stools
Elie! HLS parody writer, and performer extraordinaire.
http://www.nylawyer.com/display.php/file=/news/08/08/081908m
More info please!!!
Wouldn't mind some moderation of the comments, which continue to be more Auto-Admit every day....
Congratulations! Welcome aboard. Loved the ATL Idol and the outcome.
I say this as a liberal: please, please leave politics out of your posts. (I.e., don't invite Ted Frank back and don't invite a liberal to balance him out.) People don't come here to argue politics.
And also, as someone else already noted, please don't start with the "we" crap. It's dumb and can be confusing at times when it's not clear whether Lat is saying just he did something or whether he and Kash (or whoever) has done something.
Finally, don't try to be Lat. I know the judges kept harping on everyone for not doing something the way Lat would. But you're not Lat, so don't try. I'm sure you'll do somethings better. Somethings worse. In the long run, however, this site will be much more readable if you're consistently your own voice.
congrats and welcome to ATL - i wasn't your number 1 fan, but now that I've found out more about you, I am looking forward to your tenure :-)
30 -- STFU
TYIA
30, Epic fail on the moderation. Sure, most are stupid, some are REALLY stupid, but I like coming to ATL to vent.
If anything, get new servers to speed up the refresh time so we don't get bombarded with duplicates.
And Sophist, welcome, fellow fan of the orange and blue.
Welcome and good luck. You must keep up with the lawyer and hooker/ lawyer and strippers stories.
V. Monkey
My favorite Frumpy at the helm of ATL! Outstanding result!
You said "liberal" before "Catholic", and are therefore going to hell.
PETA has Pam Anderson. PETA cannot be beat. Case closed.
Welcome! And hopefully the fact that you are an ASPCA-fan means the LOL cats are here to stay!
Damn, I wish you hadn't told us so much about yourself. It would have been so much more fun to make us guess and figure it out through a series of posts. You do get points, however, for having a cool name like Elie. It sounds a bit like Eeyore and that makes me laugh.
The "I'm open to suggestions" tactic is a good way to make friends in politics and blogging, so props to you there.
Regulating Cochlear Implants?
http://leda.law.harvard.edu/leda/data/596/Mystal.pdf
Eli = TTT.
leave politics out of your posts and we should be fine
Hello Elie.
I feel as if I should introduce myself. I enjoy long walks in the park, reading the New York Times in bed (while watching Fox News - I'm not THAT liberal) and rain showers. Puppy dogs are also nice.
My 2 cents on increased moderation:
Like two-faced, my favorite Batman character, ATL's reputation has developed in two directions: both as an electronic peristyle where young law students and attorneys can hear the latest intrigue and rumor; and as an ignominious motel where one can catch bedbugs. When I tell peers and colleagues that I occasionally post on here, they look at me as if I turn into a werewolf at night.
I respect what you are doing and even commend it, but I expect you to moderate any comments that seem out of line. There shouldn't be valid grounds for an ATL/Autoadmit comparison.
Debevoise & PlimpTTTon
just kidding....welcome
Ann Althouse blows. **SEXISM ALERT**
Hey, Elie! I worked with him at Debevoise. One of the best guys to get a beer with and one of the funniest. ATL is lucky to have him.
#5: I'm guessing AA.
Nice pedigree. You were my favorite already, anyone with enough sense to use the Brain as his avatar gets my vote.
When do we take over the world?
You prefer the PS3 to the 360? Pfff. Know we KNOW your judgement is flawed.
But what is your stance on the Wii?
P.E.T.A.=People Eating Tasty Animals
"I'm liberal." "I believe in . . . global warming." "I prefer the PS3 to the Xbox 360."
Shit, Shit, Shit. I have been duped into voting for the enemy. Damn you!!!!! Bring back Exley!!!!!
When were you at Debevoise?
When were you at Debevoise?
I'm going to assume you like the PS3 because it plays Blu Ray discs. Heaven help you if you think the game selection, controller, or online service are superior.
Congratulations and welcome. Cosign 16 and 17.
ATL is Dead, all hail bitterlawyer.com
Maybe just one good liberal response to that Ted Frank crap would be nice.
I think Al Roker will be a great EIC, and I highly approve of his Ann Althouse bashing.
I think Al Roker will be a great EIC, and I highly approve of his Ann Althouse bashing.
A slam on Ann Althouse in the first post? WIN.
Welcome and good luck.
Welcome and congratulations.
Don't worry about the TTT comments, they come from TTT commenters.
Welcome Elie! I was already impressed with your writing and now that we know a little more about you I'm even more optimistic. Good luck!
"I'm liberal." So long, ATL.
Welcome, Elie! Seriously, though, you should take another picture.
Is this your Dad?
http://www.co.suffolk.ny.us/legis/do/2007/do15.htm
Start of a new day. Good luck.
Welcome Elie! I was already impressed with your writing and now that we know a little more about you I'm even more optimistic. Good luck!
What kind of picture is that! Holy jeez man! I haven't even read the post because I fell out of my chair when I saw your picture and i'm actually scared to scroll up.
Thankfully this is a blog and not a tv show. You have a ginormous head sir. Make that your first editing job and get a new picture of yourself - but i get the cartoon avatar now.
From Maverick's commander in Top Gun: "One more screw up and you'll being flying rubber dog shit out of Hong Kong!"
Cool.
#50 = bitter insecure underachiever
Another minority writer for a majority white/wealthy readership.
Looking forward to it, Soph...err...Elie.
I knew Elie at Debevoise, too. Great guy and funny as hell. If anyone can send up BigLaw, he can. Good to have you back around, Elie.
welcome to ATL (as if I'm the proper person to say "welcome")! looking forward to your work.
2
Reminds me of Fredo: "I'M SMART! I CAN DO THINGS! I'M NOT DUMB - LIKE EVERYBODY SAYS! AND I WANT RESPECT!"
Reminds me of Fredo: "I'M SMART! I CAN DO THINGS! I'M NOT DUMB - LIKE EVERYBODY SAYS! AND I WANT RESPECT!"
Wow, look at how (relatively) nice the commenters are being. Congratulations and welcome!
Giant head is scary, but the writing was good and I hope it will get better.
Girnormously. Scary. Head.
Welcome Elie. My one piece of advice: keep this blog focused on big law NOT law school. Both law students and lawyers care about law firms, but only law students still care about law school. So focus your attention on big law and everyone is happy.
Welcome. Kick ass or we will shiv you. How's that for incentive alignment?
You were the best candidate. Good luck.
Frumpy!!!!!
Another hi from a friend at Debevoise. Elie is one of the funniest people I've ever met - he kept me laughing even during the bleakest hours. Welcome and good luck!
_Like_ this guy. This should be good. Keep us entertained Elie.
Let me be the fifht or sixth former Debeviose person to say hi and add my seal of approval. Really, really fun.
Wow. The ELIEiots are out in force to say how funny he is. I guess, then, he isn't funny at all.
"It was better than Cats. I'm going to see it again and again."
Welcome.
First contest idea: Cristal from Mystal. Best comment gets dibs.
Don't worry about filling Lat's shoes - chart your own course, find your voice and ignore the riff-raff.
My first reaction: Yikes!
Were are Exeley's plump lips.....
Second reaction, OK, calm down, looks aren’t everything....
Welcome aboard, ELIE YING MYSTAL!
(Rhymes with Crystal.)
Mister Mystal......
Sounds like an 80's band.
Kyrie eleison.
His name is an anagram for GENIAL YET SLIMY. I know that type of lawyer well.
I have a big head too. Welcome.
Elie, anyone who tells Althouse to go jump in a lake is fine by me. Welcome aboard.
Welcome aboard. You asked for advice: avoid starting 80% of your sentences with "I". It is robotic and poor form for a blogger.
Welcome aboard. You asked for advice: avoid starting 80% of your sentences with "I". It is robotic and poor form for a blogger.
When did you start accepting pop up advertising? Jesus - this will drive us all away.
Congratulations and welcome. I'm looking forward to your editorial skills !
Part of the fun here is that this is a personal blog of sorts ... it's the oddities of one's perspectives that make things entertaining. Be objective towards fact, never of opinion.
Lawyers don't make good bloggers. The same is true of the converse.
Lawyers, when they try to blog, however -- priceless.
Congratulations again.
-- Alan
Welcome. I'm sure you will do very well :)
Congrats. Looking forward to reading your stuff.
Congrats!!!
what's with all the black-ass kissing?
I don't frequent this site often, but based on the (mostly pleasant) comments, it sounds like you're legit.
Lincoln's Inn, represent!
You sound like a massive douchebag so far. For instance, I suggest foregoing the smug comment to the other participants in the "editorial contest." Makes you sound like an idiot.
Guys in my high school used to post zoomed-in headshots, which excluded the forehead and chin, all the time. 'Twas no big deal.
93: Marin lost almost two weeks ago. Move on.
worked with elie at debevoise too. he's hilarious and perfect for the job.
worked with elie at debevoise too. he's hilarious and perfect for the job.
(1) While I hate Althouse and think she's wretched, I will point out that people can be racist against their own race as a general principle. For example, a Black person might have anti-Black sentiments adapted from society at large. This type of Black person might use this mechanism to distance him- or herself from Black people at large in order to mesh with the mainstream. All too common, I'm afraid.
(2) I don't think that you should lay out your background like that. You should leave something for the guessing. Is he liberal? Is he a he? Etc.
(3) You should eat vegetables and not hate PETA. Yes, they are over the top, but it's kind of embarrassing to say you don't eat vegetables whilst being obese. You kinda make PETA's point.
(I'm not trying to be mean, just real)
Seriously, you might want to change the photo. That extreme close-up makes you look like the comic book guy from the Simpsons.
HTH.
People Eating Tasty Animals
How about EPETA
Eating People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
HTH.
Elie rocks. Parody's Nuts!
Elie rocks. Parody's Nuts!
Editors of my preferred legal blog used to be introduced in a post with a headline referencing their "hard part" all the time. It was no big deal.
Seriously, how did we get this far with nobody making this totally juvenile association?
Had no time to comment, was too busy feverishly masturbating.
I am definitely a Mystalhead. Welcome!
122, do you mean furiously licking your balls?
If only I could...
Welcome aboard! You seem awesome - all the very best! :)
Frumpy takes ATL. Brilliant.
I remember you from law school and the Parody (you were awesome!) Congrats Elie!
LAST! (1041)
Little did we know when this was posted that you would turn out to be an utterly forgettable writer whose bland posts would ultimately drive ATL into the ground and result in your firing no more than a few months after winning the contest to replace Lat. You suck, Elie.
Please, for the love of god, never post anything again.
Ever.
"I would like to thank everybody who read anything that I've written over the past three weeks."
This is what you wrote as your SECOND SENTENCE EVER as an EDITOR? Abyssmal. Maybe try:
1. I would like to thank everybody who HAS read anything that Ive written over the past three weeks.
(still bad, but better)
2. I would like to thank everybody who read anything I WROTE over the past three weeks.
(a litttle better)
3. Thanks to everyone for reading my posts these past three weeks.
(probably what you really meant).
Elie -- You could do a better job moderating the responses to posts. Look, for example, at the comments on the most recent about the 2L Michigan girl. Asinine immature vulgarity is pretty standard for ATL comments, but many of the comments on that post are just beyond the pale.
I like you. It's got to be hard to put yourself out there when all these idiots can post anonymously.
That was a bad article about the VA schools today - not true at all and based on old allegations, not facts. See comments 82 and 83 to your article.