Small-firm columnist Valerie Katz cannot really offer any more advice about how to find a job other than networking, networking, and going on informational interviews. Oh, and occasionally allowing yourself a good cry. She can, however, offer some priceless advice for how to get married thanks to a recent New York Times article....
Every time Valerie Katz gets an email, she gets really excited. The idea that some of her readers want to reach out and share ideas is overwhelming. Lately, the emails have taken a turn for the worse. The last email she received read like this (or a close approximation because she deleted it upon receipt for fear of catching something): SPAM. She knows enough not to respond to spam emails. Some other people -- specifically, small firm attorneys -- do not. So, she am offering them some advice....
Law firms and legal departments are writing the future of the profession in separate rooms. What happens when they actually work together?
These days, it's hard to get a law job, hard to keep a law job, and in Valerie Katz's experience, hard to stomach a law job. And, according to that Wall Street Journal article that everyone posted as a Facebook status, law firms want to keep the number of associates low, work them like dogs, and pay them like, well, high-paid professionals. This means that recent graduates are still screwed. Just when she thought all was lost, however, she found a positive story about law firms. And, of course, because that is how we roll, it involves a small firm....
According to the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.), small law firms have adopted the mantra: merge or die. Indeed, the number of law firm mergers is staggering. Yet, small firm to large firm mergers are not the answer for all small firms. Valerie Katz notes that the article featured several potential problems....
In her practice, Valerie Katz has represented many small law firms going through the same fate as Heidi Klum (who decided to divorce her husband). At some point, loving partners decide they hate each other. One splits off into his own firm and the group goes through a messy "custody" battle for clients, partners, associates, and staff. Are small-firms and Hollywood it-couples all destined for messy break-ups? Is there something that can be done during the formation of the partnership, or at some point during its healthy existence, to prevent such endings?
Valerie Katz wondered why she in career purgatory and her colleague from law school is a partner. She found the answer in a very well-crafted article on Corporette. Is it possible to fake it until you make it at a law firm? She'll be doing an experiment to find out....
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Valerie Katz thought she could do some missionary work and convert her friends in to small-firm lawyers. Something unexpected happened, though. One of her friends asked her why she believed small-firm life was so different from Biglaw. She went through my standard list of reasons: quality of life, money, autonomy, mentoring, etc. But that was where things took an unexpected turn: her friend did not buy it. Does size really matter, she thought?
Like most of you, Valerie Katz spends her free time trying to come up with a plot idea for Miss Congeniality 3. It is hard, however, to mess with perfection. Having reached the limits of her creativity, she decided to look to actual events (and, of course, small law firm news) to serve as the inspiration for her movie plot. And she found just what I was looking for, thanks to a real-life Miss Congeniality and Mr. Social Security. Intrigued? Check out photos of a certified hottie, after the break....
For 2012, Valerie Katz has resolved to maintain a healthy work/life balance. Luckily, she is not making this decision based on her concerns over hypothetical family obligations. No, she is just lazy and does not like to work. And she is not alone....
Valerie Katz would bet that at least half of you resolved to find a new job in 2012. And, for many, that new job means going out on your own. As with most New Year's resolutions, however, such a measure may seem overwhelming. Lucky for you, Carolyn Elefant has updated her book, Solo by Choice, and it provides a thorough road map for lawyers looking to make the leap to solo practice....
LexisNexis sat down with John Ursin, Managing Partner at Schenck Price, to learn how the firm is using legal AI to strengthen client service and daily legal work.
Earlier this month, Casey Greenfield, known for her personal battle with child support issues, and Scott Labby, a fellow graduate of Yale Law School, formed the firm Greenfield Labby LLP. The firm's mission is to serve individual clients "with a focus on family and matrimonial practice, strategic planning and crisis management." Valerie Katz had the opportunity to interview them both....
As much Valerie Katz loves her a holiday party, she does believe there are certain rules one must follow. She cannot promise that she observes these rules herself, but as the saying goes, those who cannot do, teach. And with that, here is a guide for how to behave at the office party....
There are only two weeks remaining before New Year's Eve. That means that small-firm singles only have a short window to secure their New Year's Eve date. According to our survey, none of you will be working on the holiday, so you better get your act together. Luckily for you, Valerie Katz is an expert at finding love. Let’s get on with her tips for a successful small-firm seduction....
Beware the bad client. Not running her own small firm, Valerie Katz can only conjecture that bad clients may not reveal themselves in a way as obvious as a stripper in a box. So how do you spot the right (and wrong client), short of him jumping out of a box?
There are a lot of unhappy lawyers. We all know that. Part of their discontent is due to the fact that many young people go to law school who may not want to be lawyers, or do not take the time during law school to figure out what type of practice best fits their personality and goals. But what about those individuals who actually want to be lawyers, but due to certain biases are not able to pursue their dreams?