What I've learned today

For about $200/month I can get lease a "virtual office" giving me a fake address in a fancy office building, access to a conference room, and an answering service. On the one hand, I can see how this sort of arrangement could be used for nefarious purposes, and it does feel a little squidgy to be operating under a facade. On the other hand, I definitely do not have the budget to lease office space or hire a receptionist right away, and this is a reasonable and cost-effective solution.

Now the big question--what kind of law am I going to practice? Because instead of focusing in on anything in law school, I tried a little bit of everything so that I could figure out what I want to do. So I have a bit of experience in criminal law, family law and PI. Making me the jack of all trades and master of none. I wish I had a little more depth in any one field.

And I am not thrilled about the prospect of doing criminal defense work, but it may be the fastest track to a (small) paycheck. We don't really have a public defender's office around here, crim. defense attorney's just get on the judge's list and then hang around during docket call hoping to be appointed. I could also try to get on the list of attorney's ad litem, since I that is what I did in the clinic I worked in. But I know you have to take some CLE courses for that, so I don't know how long it would take.

I am terrified of getting in over my head. I have prepared pleadings, motions and discovery in a PI case, but I have never even sat in on a depo. And I would have no idea how to find and hire (and pay for) experts on a big case.

I am not a risk taker. I've never done drugs, I rarely drink, I don't bungee jump or skydive, and I refuse to purchase anything over $25 without first checking at least three sources for reliability and a better price. So this whole prospect of going it alone is putting me waaaaay outside my comfort zone.