From Reddit:

"I am a former (semi)professional thief, two-time loser who served almost a decade and a half in prison (including over 1 year in solitary) who after his release from prison graduated from law school at the top of his class and then passed the Bar with flying colors."

I really have no idea what to think about this.

I'll be graduating in June. Although start dates have been pushed back, once I start I would like to buy a condo. Does anybody know how a First Year Associate goes about getting a mortgage? In particular, how do you circumvent the problem of having your income look like its only the 35K you earned over the past summer? Do most large law firm's have lenders with unique loan qualifications/processes for attorneys? Am I screwed?

Help a deferred graduate win $1 Million by voting for my dog, Denver! He put up with a lot while I was in law school, so I'm trying to boost his self-esteem by helping him win the title of Cutest Dog in America! Also, I plan on donating a portion of the prize to a charity, but don't have any "pet" charities, so suggestions are welcome. It only take a few seconds, but you do have to register your email address. Thanks for your support and here is the link to vote: http://www.cutestdogcompetition.com/vote.cfm?h=173A7E80108BB3100470CBAAD968F2FA

Check back for rescheduled date.

To register, go to:

http://www.nycbar.org/EventsCalendar/show_event.php?eventid=1199

From Law Practice to Law & Order: Making the Leap to Television

Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009, 6:30 PM
Registration:
NYC Bar Member Price: $10.00 Register
Non City Bar Member Price: $20.00 Register

This presentation will be of great interest to attorneys and law students thinking about a transition to a career in television. Our esteemed panelists, who work in a variety of areas within the field, will share how they leveraged their legal backgrounds to open doors into the competitive world of TV. They will also offer an inside look into the professional rewards and challenges of working on hit television and news programs.

Speakers:

Rick Eid
TV Producer/Writer
Founder, BitterLawyer.Com
Shows: Dark Blue (Executive Producer), Law & Order

Trisha Sorrells Doyle
Independent TV Producer
Shows: 60 Minutes, Primetime Live

Ryan Smith
Attorney, Zuber & Taillieu LLP
Television Host & Commentator
Shows: "My Two Cents", "Underdog to Wonderdog"

Pre-registration for this event is strongly encouraged due to space limitations. The fee is $10 for members, $20 for non-members.

Members of the Association, and their guests are all welcome. Registration is necessary.

Sponsored by: The Committee on Career Advancement and Management, Carroll Welch, Chair

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THE CARTER CENTER / W&L TRANSNATIONAL LAW INSTITUTE
LIBERIA LAW FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Seeks Applicants for 2010 Fellowships

The Carter Center (TCC) and the Transnational Law Institute of Washington and Lee University School of Law (“W&L”) are pleased to announce the opportunity for recent law school graduates to work as law fellows for a variety of government and non-governmental institutions in Liberia. Fellows will be placed according to their backgrounds and interests at various government institutions, including: the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Public Works, the James A. A. Pierre Judicial Institute, The Land Reform Commission, The Law Reform Commission, Independent Human Rights Commission, and The Carter Center. These unfunded fellowships offer a unique opportunity to engage in legal reform and legal development at a critical time in Liberian history, as well as a challenging and interesting personal experience.
These positions are unpaid, and there is currently no funding available from either W&L or The Carter Center. The Liberia Law Fellowship Program facilitates the placement of qualified applicants who are sponsored by foundations, law schools, law firms, or other funding source. This is also an excellent opportunity for deferred law firm associates or public interest sabbaticals.

The Transnational Law Institute at Washington & Lee was established in 2006, to globalize the study of law at W&L. The Transnational Law Institute supports and coordinates teaching innovations, global externships and fellowships, a speaker series, and visiting faculty to help prepare students for the increasing globalization of legal practice. The Transnational Law Institute has functioned in Liberia since the spring of 2008, conducting The Liberia Access to Justice Practicum; a joint program at Washington and Lee School of Law in Lexington, Virginia and the Louis A. Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime.

The Carter Center, in partnership with Emory University, is committed to advancing human rights and alleviating unnecessary human suffering. Founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the Atlanta-based Center has helped to improve the quality of life for people in more than 70 countries. The Carter Center, with offices based in Liberia, has operated an Access to Justice Project since 2006. Working with the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Judiciary, and the James A. A. Pierre Judicial Institute, The Carter Center is working to help build the capacity necessary within the justice system to provide accessible, fair, and consistent justice.
 
Application Details _______________________________________________________
Timing:
Applicants are invited to apply for 6 – 24 month placements. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, beginning on September 8, 2009.
Qualifications:
•JD or expected JD by Fall, 2010
•excellent legal research and writing skills;
•excellent communication skills;
•commitment to working for underprivileged populations;
•flexibility and patience to work in a developing context;
•self-motivated with the ability to handle multiple tasks;
•international experience desired, but not necessary; and
•willingness (and enthusiasm) to travel to rural areas within Liberia.

Facilitators, Funding and Sponsorship:

The Transnational Law Institute at Washington and Lee University School of Law promotes and establishes the fellow placements, and The Carter Center facilitates in-country aspects of the fellowship and provides a local point of contact in Liberia. TCC and W&L are fellowship facilitators only. There is no academic credit or funding available from either organization for the fellowships.
Once accepted to the Liberia Law Fellowship Program, the program will work with candidates to develop proposals for funding from firms, foundations, or public interest / human rights fellowships.

To Apply:

E-mail a resume and cover letter detailing interest in position, potential funding sources, relevant deadlines, length of availability and available start date to:

Juliette Syn
Liberia Law Fellowship Program Coordinator
Transnational Law Institute
Washington & Lee School of Law
WLUTCC@wlu.edu

Applicants to the program will receive a more detailed description of the program offerings, terms and conditions.

The African Youth Aid Foundation (“AYAF”) a recently-formed 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, seeks part-time interns to assist in the preparation of legal filings and provide advice on compliance with laws governing charities, including state and federal tax. Primary duties include:

• Drafting standardized templates for corporate governance forms such as consents, board minutes and resolutions, and member correspondence.

• Preparing form communications between organization and donors regarding tax-deductibility of contributions.

• Researching state law in Colorado and New York in order to maintain organization’s compliance with all applicable statutes.

• Preparing periodic filings to be submitted to Internal Revenue Service and state charities bureaus.

The ideal applicant will have a background in corporate law and an interest in non-profit administration. An interest in international development desired, but not required.

Recent law school graduates seeking short-term opportunities for legal experience after being deferred by law firms are strongly encouraged to apply. The internship period will last between six months and one year, depending on work volume.

AYAF is a grassroots organization that provides support for Africa’s most vulnerable citizens by focusing on three areas: housing, education, and healthcare. To learn more, visit our website at www.ayaf.org or our page on Facebook© by searching “African Youth Aid Foundation.”

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Bryan Kreykes at bryan@ayaf.org. Only short-listed applicants will receive a reply.

My firm asked me to relocate from their LA office to their Portland office. Any thoughts on what a market relocation package would include? I am particularly concerned about being slightly underwater on my current mortgage and not being able to sell. I am a 5th year in a very specialized and busy practice group, so I think I have some bargaining room.

I just started a blog that I wanted to share with the folks at ATL. I'm a midlevel associate at a V50 and am thinking about leaving the law. This chronicles my thoughts, plans, visions, etc.

Would like to create a community with like minded folks so we can navigate the unknown together.