Today I met a client with whom I telephone conferenced earlier in the week. He asked if I had been doing this very long. My boss piped in that I had just started with the firm, but that I had been practicing for a couple of years. Client said, "well you couldn't have been practicing very long, you sure don't look very old."
Of course, as a woman, I am always pleased to hear that I look younger than I am. But I'm not sure that my allegedly youthful appearance is a virtue for my professional career. If I had gone straight through college and law school, I could have made partner by now. In fact, a couple of the partners at my firm are my age.
And this isn't the first time that others have assumed that I am a twenty-something. In law school virtually everyone assumed that I was their age. And once they learned I had kids--and how old they were--you could seem them mentally calculating whether I was a teen parent. A few were bold enough to ask my age, and were usually very surprised.
My former boss certainly had no clue how old I was until well after I was hired (and I wasn't about to disillusion him.) And my current boss actually asked how old I was in my interview, and then informed me that I did not look my age. (And yes, I did tell him that he is not supposed to ask age in interviews.)
The thing is, I don't really thing I look so much younger than I am. I don't dress "young." Today I was wearing a cardigan and slacks. I definitely don't have the figure I did at 25. And I don't really think I look younger than friends my own age.
Anyway, the point is that I don't think looking young is helpful to my career. I'm not sure the client I met today would be as comfortable with me handling his case as he would with someone who appeared older. But there is not much I can do about it. I'll just have to prove my competence to gain the confidence of my clients.
P.S. I do not know what was up with yesterday's post. It was a little umm, redundant, or something.
8/13/09
8/12/09
New job: week 2
Tomorrow marks 2 weeks at the new job. I think this week is going much better than last. Last week I was feeling pretty overwhelmed with getting up to speed on several cases at once. At old firm I was finally at the point where I had brought most of my cases up from their infancy and I was very familiar with them. Now I am having to learn a new practice area and get up to speed on 10 different cases all at once.
But I am getting a handle on things and am no longer so overwhelmed. I worked late tonight, but otherwise have been regulating my hours better.
Nothing exciting to write about.
But I am getting a handle on things and am no longer so overwhelmed. I worked late tonight, but otherwise have been regulating my hours better.
Nothing exciting to write about.
8/9/09
Holiday
We've never taken the kids on a big vacation, for several reasons, I guess. For one, the cost for 5 people to travel anywhere becomes astronomical very quickly. When we were living on a single income, most trips were simply out of our budget, so we tended to stick close to home. We've visited all the major cities in out state, but now it kind of feels "been there, done that." We've wandered out of state on a couple of occasions, renting a beach house for a week over spring break, and a cabin in the mountains last summer with all of DH's family. But we've never done a big, grand vacation with the kids. Number 1 on our list is Disney. I've been promising the kids for the last two years that we would someday go to Disney World.
Last fall Disney was running a great special that made a vacation very affordable, so I booked us for June. Unfortunately, due to a number of reasons (humongous tax bill, quitting my job, MIL receiving cancer treatments and not wanting to leave the state) we had to reschedule. I went ahead and rebooked for December because I figured it would be the easiest time to get away no matter where I was working. But the cost went up about $2k.
Given the number of financial hits we have taken lately, I really did not want to spend nearly $5k on this trip. But I poked around in the online trip planner and found that we could get back down to our original cost by changing our resort. Yea! It looked like our trip could still happen.
Then, last night, I was reading the Disney boards (yes, I'm that girl) and saw a banner ad to save 30% off room reservations. I followed the link, booked our exact trip and found I could save over $400. A quick call to reservations this morning, and the discount was applied to my existing reservation. That will cover our gas. (There is no way I can afford to fly all 5 of us out there, unless rates REALLY drop--unlikely over the holidays.)
So we're set and I am slowly chiseling away the cost of our trip. Hopefully, this will be the first of many big family vacations. One of my favorite pastimes is planning vacations--it would be great if we could actually start taking them.
In an ideal world, I would like to take a big trip every two years, with a smaller trip in between. Of course the problem with being a lawyer is that you finally have the money to travel, but finding the time is a whole new issue. Fortunately, I have noticed at my new firm that several people are taking long (2-3 week) vacations this summer.
Last fall Disney was running a great special that made a vacation very affordable, so I booked us for June. Unfortunately, due to a number of reasons (humongous tax bill, quitting my job, MIL receiving cancer treatments and not wanting to leave the state) we had to reschedule. I went ahead and rebooked for December because I figured it would be the easiest time to get away no matter where I was working. But the cost went up about $2k.
Given the number of financial hits we have taken lately, I really did not want to spend nearly $5k on this trip. But I poked around in the online trip planner and found that we could get back down to our original cost by changing our resort. Yea! It looked like our trip could still happen.
Then, last night, I was reading the Disney boards (yes, I'm that girl) and saw a banner ad to save 30% off room reservations. I followed the link, booked our exact trip and found I could save over $400. A quick call to reservations this morning, and the discount was applied to my existing reservation. That will cover our gas. (There is no way I can afford to fly all 5 of us out there, unless rates REALLY drop--unlikely over the holidays.)
So we're set and I am slowly chiseling away the cost of our trip. Hopefully, this will be the first of many big family vacations. One of my favorite pastimes is planning vacations--it would be great if we could actually start taking them.
In an ideal world, I would like to take a big trip every two years, with a smaller trip in between. Of course the problem with being a lawyer is that you finally have the money to travel, but finding the time is a whole new issue. Fortunately, I have noticed at my new firm that several people are taking long (2-3 week) vacations this summer.
8/6/09
Enjoy the silence
So I guess my posting has slowed now that I have rejoined the ranks of the employed.
My week started off slowly, with a little bit of thumb-twiddling. Now my desk is covered with projects and I already feel like I'm behind. I have worked later than I would prefer nearly every night this week. It seems that the lawyers there come in fairly late and stay really late. I don't want to look like a slacker my first week in by leaving when the clock strikes 6, but at the same time I'm not sure how this comports with their assurances that I would not be putting in nearly the hours that I was at old firm. But I am in earlier than everybody else, so hopefully I can maintain a more regular schedule once I've settled in a bit more.
I've already been given a case to call my own, and I'm being added as a second chair on a couple of others. I'm being sent to a conference in November. (I have my choice of attending it in Boston, San Diego, Fort Lauderdale, Denver or Nashville--suggestions??) And next month they're sending me to a luncheon for women in my new industry (which is really not a female-oriented industry).
It is very, very different from old firm--which is definitely not a bad thing, but there are some adjustments to be made.
Overall, I think it is going well. I am happy to be working again, and I think I am doing ok with learning my new practice area. I know enough about the basics that I can concentrate on the details. But boy am I tired.
My week started off slowly, with a little bit of thumb-twiddling. Now my desk is covered with projects and I already feel like I'm behind. I have worked later than I would prefer nearly every night this week. It seems that the lawyers there come in fairly late and stay really late. I don't want to look like a slacker my first week in by leaving when the clock strikes 6, but at the same time I'm not sure how this comports with their assurances that I would not be putting in nearly the hours that I was at old firm. But I am in earlier than everybody else, so hopefully I can maintain a more regular schedule once I've settled in a bit more.
I've already been given a case to call my own, and I'm being added as a second chair on a couple of others. I'm being sent to a conference in November. (I have my choice of attending it in Boston, San Diego, Fort Lauderdale, Denver or Nashville--suggestions??) And next month they're sending me to a luncheon for women in my new industry (which is really not a female-oriented industry).
It is very, very different from old firm--which is definitely not a bad thing, but there are some adjustments to be made.
Overall, I think it is going well. I am happy to be working again, and I think I am doing ok with learning my new practice area. I know enough about the basics that I can concentrate on the details. But boy am I tired.
8/2/09
First Day in the Office
I have moved from a mid-sized firm in a big shiny building downtown, to a smallish firm in a smaller shiny building not downtown. In one of my interviews with another firm, someone asked me how important it was for me to remain downtown. I responded that it was not at the top of my priority list--which is true, I could not care less about the "prestige" of working downtown.
When I walked in on Friday, I was given the tour and shown to my office. They told me that my computer was all set up and that I could start figuring it all out. I looked around, saw a monitor and a little box that looked like an external hard-drive, but no computer. Hmmm, that's odd. But I hit the keyboard, and indeed, my computer was functional. Turns out that little 8" x 8" x 3" box was the computer. The mac is very intuitive, and I think I'll adapt quickly.
Later Big Boss and two of the junior partners took me to a nice Italian place for lunch. I may have had the best manicotti in the world. The lunch was very relaxed and comfortable--which surprised me, because I am generally tense at business lunches--especially at places with excessive numbers of forks.
Throughout the day, everyone in the office came by and introduced themselves--I was at my old firm for 2 years, and there were still people I had never spoken with.
But how is this for bizarre? I was fiddling around with the screensaver and wallpaper, when I clicked on the "photos" folder--and found my facebook profile pic. How the heck did that get there? I certainly wasn't facebooking on my first day on the job. DH says he has a program that hooks into his outlook and searches the net for photos of his contacts--so I guess that is a possibility. But my work computer doesn't use outlook, and I didn't see anything like that in my email program (not that I was looking).
I also wouldn't be surprised at all if they googled me and found my facebook profile (it's locked, but you may be able to see the picture). But why would they do this on my computer, and why would they save the profile pic? Very strange--I will definitely ask IT guy about this next week.
When I walked in on Friday, I was given the tour and shown to my office. They told me that my computer was all set up and that I could start figuring it all out. I looked around, saw a monitor and a little box that looked like an external hard-drive, but no computer. Hmmm, that's odd. But I hit the keyboard, and indeed, my computer was functional. Turns out that little 8" x 8" x 3" box was the computer. The mac is very intuitive, and I think I'll adapt quickly.
Later Big Boss and two of the junior partners took me to a nice Italian place for lunch. I may have had the best manicotti in the world. The lunch was very relaxed and comfortable--which surprised me, because I am generally tense at business lunches--especially at places with excessive numbers of forks.
Throughout the day, everyone in the office came by and introduced themselves--I was at my old firm for 2 years, and there were still people I had never spoken with.
But how is this for bizarre? I was fiddling around with the screensaver and wallpaper, when I clicked on the "photos" folder--and found my facebook profile pic. How the heck did that get there? I certainly wasn't facebooking on my first day on the job. DH says he has a program that hooks into his outlook and searches the net for photos of his contacts--so I guess that is a possibility. But my work computer doesn't use outlook, and I didn't see anything like that in my email program (not that I was looking).
I also wouldn't be surprised at all if they googled me and found my facebook profile (it's locked, but you may be able to see the picture). But why would they do this on my computer, and why would they save the profile pic? Very strange--I will definitely ask IT guy about this next week.
7/30/09
Day 1
Well, I survived Day 1 of the new job. Thanks to all of you who wished me luck!
I wasn't in the office--instead they sent me to a seminar being presented by the female attorney who initially interviewed me. I am sure that the reason I got the job began with her. She told me in that first interview that she was not a partner because she had chosen not to accept partnership. She wanted to have a family, and once her children were born she began working part-time.
So in that first interview, when she asked what I did besides working, I had choice whether to reveal that I, too, have children. I learned as a law student that I was better off not advertising my age and the fact that I had children. Of course, I never lied, but I never volunteered this information, either. In my old firm Big Boss had absolutely no clue that I was a 30-something mother of three when he hired me, and there is no way he would have hired me if he had known as much (others in the office have confirmed this).
But I felt that I clicked with this female attorney who was successfully balancing career and family, and I decided to break my self-imposed rule and tell her that my spare time generally revolved around my children. She was immediately impressed, and suddenly I stood out from the crowd.
What's more, even the male partners I later met appreciated the dedication required to make it through law school with children. They did not view my family as a hindrance that would prevent me from billing enough hours, but rather as evidence of my work ethic and organizational skills.
And I think that I why I was so drawn to this firm. I didn't have to hide who I am--and they actually valued me more because of it.
I wasn't in the office--instead they sent me to a seminar being presented by the female attorney who initially interviewed me. I am sure that the reason I got the job began with her. She told me in that first interview that she was not a partner because she had chosen not to accept partnership. She wanted to have a family, and once her children were born she began working part-time.
So in that first interview, when she asked what I did besides working, I had choice whether to reveal that I, too, have children. I learned as a law student that I was better off not advertising my age and the fact that I had children. Of course, I never lied, but I never volunteered this information, either. In my old firm Big Boss had absolutely no clue that I was a 30-something mother of three when he hired me, and there is no way he would have hired me if he had known as much (others in the office have confirmed this).
But I felt that I clicked with this female attorney who was successfully balancing career and family, and I decided to break my self-imposed rule and tell her that my spare time generally revolved around my children. She was immediately impressed, and suddenly I stood out from the crowd.
What's more, even the male partners I later met appreciated the dedication required to make it through law school with children. They did not view my family as a hindrance that would prevent me from billing enough hours, but rather as evidence of my work ethic and organizational skills.
And I think that I why I was so drawn to this firm. I didn't have to hide who I am--and they actually valued me more because of it.
7/28/09
A hypothetical
Attorney obtains discovery from opposing party.
Attorney tells Client that Client can review and flag relevant documents, rather than paying attorney to review discovery. Client has no legal training.
What do you think of Attorney's actions?
Attorney tells Client that Client can review and flag relevant documents, rather than paying attorney to review discovery. Client has no legal training.
What do you think of Attorney's actions?
Karma and the Pessimist
I'll admit that I am a little stunned at the way things worked out. I ended up with a much better job that the one that I would have taken had previous Big Boss not acted like a manipulative asshole.
I am finally out of the insurance defense mill. This is a good thing. Fewer billables are required, and quality is emphasized over quantity.
I will be a true second chair on my cases. I will get to argue some of my own motions. I will get to go to trial. I will be a point of contact with my clients. This was not the case in old firm. Most of the time, I did not meet with clients and my name wasn't on anything (I did have a few cases where this was not true). I very rarely got to argue the motions that I drafted. It might have been years before I got to go to trial (because they wanted to bill partner rates for trial, and they certainly wouldn't allow me to do anything they couldn't bill for, just because I might learn something.)
New firm seems very interested in mentoring. They know that I am being to thrown into a new field in which I have no experience. But they are prepared to help me learn what I need to know. They have also emphasized that client development is very important--and they are very supportive in mentoring young associates to build their own client base.
New firm is a true "boutique" firm that specializes in a very specific area of law. It is an area that I would never have predicted that I would go into. But I think it is an area that will remain strong and not suddenly disappear (a la med mal). And it is far more appealing than family law--as I would have had to practice as a solo. One of the partners also does legislative drafting pertinent to this field--and I would love to gain experience there.
I just feel so fortunate to have found this position. I have been gearing up for such doom and gloom--either barely getting by while building my solo practice, or having to do practice in an area that I would not be happy in--that I am still in a state of shock.
I will be starting on Thursday, but it will not be a real work day because they are sending me to a seminar. I'll be in the office on Friday, although I have been warned that my office will not be ready--they are painting it over the weekend and they are ordering a new computer. But at least I can start reading up on my new practice area.
I am finally out of the insurance defense mill. This is a good thing. Fewer billables are required, and quality is emphasized over quantity.
I will be a true second chair on my cases. I will get to argue some of my own motions. I will get to go to trial. I will be a point of contact with my clients. This was not the case in old firm. Most of the time, I did not meet with clients and my name wasn't on anything (I did have a few cases where this was not true). I very rarely got to argue the motions that I drafted. It might have been years before I got to go to trial (because they wanted to bill partner rates for trial, and they certainly wouldn't allow me to do anything they couldn't bill for, just because I might learn something.)
New firm seems very interested in mentoring. They know that I am being to thrown into a new field in which I have no experience. But they are prepared to help me learn what I need to know. They have also emphasized that client development is very important--and they are very supportive in mentoring young associates to build their own client base.
New firm is a true "boutique" firm that specializes in a very specific area of law. It is an area that I would never have predicted that I would go into. But I think it is an area that will remain strong and not suddenly disappear (a la med mal). And it is far more appealing than family law--as I would have had to practice as a solo. One of the partners also does legislative drafting pertinent to this field--and I would love to gain experience there.
I just feel so fortunate to have found this position. I have been gearing up for such doom and gloom--either barely getting by while building my solo practice, or having to do practice in an area that I would not be happy in--that I am still in a state of shock.
I will be starting on Thursday, but it will not be a real work day because they are sending me to a seminar. I'll be in the office on Friday, although I have been warned that my office will not be ready--they are painting it over the weekend and they are ordering a new computer. But at least I can start reading up on my new practice area.
7/27/09
I got the job!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With Conservative Firm. And it comes with a nice salary bump, and a substantially lower billable requirement.
They want me to start ASAP--as early as this Thursday!
I must now go do the happy dance!
They want me to start ASAP--as early as this Thursday!
I must now go do the happy dance!
Still no offer
Had my third interview at Conservative Firm today. I met with two junior partners, and both of those seemed to go fine. Then I met for the second time with the two named partners for whom I would be working.
They still seem a little hung up on my grades, but the repeated how impressed they were with me personally. And they stated that I would not be back if they weren't seriously considering me.
I think they know I have the drive, but they are concerned about the brains.
I really hope they make up their minds soon.
They still seem a little hung up on my grades, but the repeated how impressed they were with me personally. And they stated that I would not be back if they weren't seriously considering me.
I think they know I have the drive, but they are concerned about the brains.
I really hope they make up their minds soon.
7/26/09
Good weekend
Friday we had Birthdaypalooza for the twins. First we headed out to the waterpark, where we spent a good part of the day. The kids had a great time and TT was finally brave enough to try the BIG water slides.
We headed home, showered, and let the birthday girls choose where to go for dinner. Their choice: CiCi's Pizza--a place I try to avoid at all cost. But something about all-you-can-eat pizza followed by all-you-can-eat dessert is appealing to the 8-year-old set.
We wound down our evening with a movie. Nothing like relaxing in a cool movie theater after spending the day in the sun. Unfortunately, the kids chose G-Force. If you're thinking about it, don't. Just don't. Yes, it's that bad (as if we weren't warned by the previews!) My girls weren't even into it--although maybe they were jut tired. The kids behind us found all of the butt jokes hilarious.
Yesterday we mostly bummed around the house. I became the house champion of wii Punchout, and I can feel it in my biceps this morning. Good to know I have retained my junior high Punchout skills.
We also went out to look at phones. My contract is up and I am trying to decide between a Blackjack, Blackberry or iphone. The iphone is winning my facebook poll--and the one I played with in the store was way cool.
I hated my firm-issued Blackberry, but it was an older one, so perhaps they have improved.
I liked my Blackjack (which I gave to DH when my firm gave me the Blackberry) because it has a Windows OS and worked really well with my calendar and task syncing--but the new one is is really ugly (yes, I'm a girl and aesthetics play into my phone selection.)
Right now I'm leaning heavily toward the iphone. It's just so cool! I can get the 3G for less than the Blackberry, but the 3GS would be about the same cost. I'm not sure that I need the extra features on the 3GS, but I would hate to regret not coughing up the extra $100 in 6 months when I still have a lot of time left on my contract. My biggest concern with the iphone is typing on the virtual keyboard--my fingers seemed a little clunky.
Of course, I won't make any decisions until after my interview on Monday. I have no idea what their smartphone policy is or what they support.
Anyone have any insight on the Blackberry v. iphone issue? Or the 3G v. 3GS?
P.S. Shelley, if you see this will you email me at legallycertifiable at gmail? I can't figure out how to contact you--I think you've gone underground!
We headed home, showered, and let the birthday girls choose where to go for dinner. Their choice: CiCi's Pizza--a place I try to avoid at all cost. But something about all-you-can-eat pizza followed by all-you-can-eat dessert is appealing to the 8-year-old set.
We wound down our evening with a movie. Nothing like relaxing in a cool movie theater after spending the day in the sun. Unfortunately, the kids chose G-Force. If you're thinking about it, don't. Just don't. Yes, it's that bad (as if we weren't warned by the previews!) My girls weren't even into it--although maybe they were jut tired. The kids behind us found all of the butt jokes hilarious.
Yesterday we mostly bummed around the house. I became the house champion of wii Punchout, and I can feel it in my biceps this morning. Good to know I have retained my junior high Punchout skills.
We also went out to look at phones. My contract is up and I am trying to decide between a Blackjack, Blackberry or iphone. The iphone is winning my facebook poll--and the one I played with in the store was way cool.
I hated my firm-issued Blackberry, but it was an older one, so perhaps they have improved.
I liked my Blackjack (which I gave to DH when my firm gave me the Blackberry) because it has a Windows OS and worked really well with my calendar and task syncing--but the new one is is really ugly (yes, I'm a girl and aesthetics play into my phone selection.)
Right now I'm leaning heavily toward the iphone. It's just so cool! I can get the 3G for less than the Blackberry, but the 3GS would be about the same cost. I'm not sure that I need the extra features on the 3GS, but I would hate to regret not coughing up the extra $100 in 6 months when I still have a lot of time left on my contract. My biggest concern with the iphone is typing on the virtual keyboard--my fingers seemed a little clunky.
Of course, I won't make any decisions until after my interview on Monday. I have no idea what their smartphone policy is or what they support.
Anyone have any insight on the Blackberry v. iphone issue? Or the 3G v. 3GS?
P.S. Shelley, if you see this will you email me at legallycertifiable at gmail? I can't figure out how to contact you--I think you've gone underground!
7/24/09
So, am I just a pessimist?
So I emailed conservative firm my ranking and honors info yesterday, but I got a weird auto-responder, so I followed up with a phone call this morning. I relayed the information over the phone, but couldn't really gauge Partner's reaction.
But, this afternoon Partner called and wants to set up another meeting for Monday morning. I'll be meeting with 3 junior partners, and then I will meet with the two named partners with whom I have already met.
This has to be a good sign, right? Maybe I am just developing a seriously doom-and-gloom attitude, but I am very wary about getting my hopes up.
But, this afternoon Partner called and wants to set up another meeting for Monday morning. I'll be meeting with 3 junior partners, and then I will meet with the two named partners with whom I have already met.
This has to be a good sign, right? Maybe I am just developing a seriously doom-and-gloom attitude, but I am very wary about getting my hopes up.
Eight
Today is the twins' eighth birthday. It's hard to comprehend that they have actually been in the world for 8 years. It doesn't seem like it's been that long.
I'll admit that infant twins were hard. The first 5 months were a complete blur because I got virtually no sleep and I felt like all I ever did was feed babies. (I never got the hang of nursing both at the same time, and one was a slow nurser, so about the time I was done with one, it was time to feed the other.)
But once they started sleeping and eating less frequently, life was great and they were (and still are) so much fun!
DH took the day off and we are taking them to the waterpark to celebrate. Right now they are all out getting donuts--and it is raining! Hopefully it is an isolated even that will pass quickly, because it was not supposed to rain today.
7/23/09
Another hit
I contacted the registrar's office today regarding my ranking and honors designation. While they do not give specific rankings to students, they are provided to graduates upon request. So I now have my exact ranking. I am not as close to the top third as I had anticipated--which seems to render the honors designation almost meaningless if almost half the class graduates with honors.
I think this will be the nail in the coffin that is my application with Conservative Firm. They seem to be really intent on hiring someone in the top third. In fact, they haven't asked for any professional references or writing samples. It's as though my professional qualifications are meaningless if I didn't hit some magic number in law school.
We'll see how they respond, but I don't expect anything positive. I'm afraid that they will think that I wasn't forthcoming about my grades--although I've tried to honestly answer everything they've asked.
I am just about at my breaking point. I have worked my ass off for the past 5 years, and I have absolutely nothing to show for it but a boatload of debt.
I met with a recruiter today, whose only position was with the firm that I am conflicted out with. Then she went on and on about how many unemployed attorneys there are, and how low doc review rates keep sliding because there are so many who need the work and are willing to do it for peanuts. Great.
That meeting certainly made me feel better about the crappy state of my existence.
I think this will be the nail in the coffin that is my application with Conservative Firm. They seem to be really intent on hiring someone in the top third. In fact, they haven't asked for any professional references or writing samples. It's as though my professional qualifications are meaningless if I didn't hit some magic number in law school.
We'll see how they respond, but I don't expect anything positive. I'm afraid that they will think that I wasn't forthcoming about my grades--although I've tried to honestly answer everything they've asked.
I am just about at my breaking point. I have worked my ass off for the past 5 years, and I have absolutely nothing to show for it but a boatload of debt.
I met with a recruiter today, whose only position was with the firm that I am conflicted out with. Then she went on and on about how many unemployed attorneys there are, and how low doc review rates keep sliding because there are so many who need the work and are willing to do it for peanuts. Great.
That meeting certainly made me feel better about the crappy state of my existence.
7/22/09
Is this good or bad?
This evening I received a call from Partner at Conservative firm, who had a few follow-up questions for me. It seems I confused them with my complicated, nontraditional background that is not really explained by my resume. He wanted to verify when I graduated undergrad, if I had started right after high school, and when I started law school and when I transferred. And he wanted clarification regarding whether I had graduated in the top 1/3 of my class. Then he asked me to send over my transcripts.
I explained that I did my undergraduate work right out of high school, graduated in 1997, and stayed home with my children for 6 years, until starting law school in 2004. I transferred after 1 year, which, as far as I am aware, is the only time that you can transfer in any law school in the country.
I explained that my school ranks top third and top half. I did not make the top third cut, but I know that I was close because I graduated with honors, and the cutoff for graduating with honors is close to the cutoff for top third, although I did not know what the difference is. (I think honors is a standard gpa cutoff that does not change from year to year--but I don't know what the gpa cutoff was for top third in my class, which, of course, would change every year.)
Conservative Partner repeated that they were still conducting interviews, but they were obviously looking closely at me. And he repeated that they were quite impressed with me and the fact that I put myself through undergrad while working full time.
I just hope my transcript doesn't blow it for me. My worst grades were in my contract and UCC classes--which are quite relevant to what I would be doing for them. But my best grades were in procedure and performance-based classes (trial ad), which is also very relevant.
I explained that I did my undergraduate work right out of high school, graduated in 1997, and stayed home with my children for 6 years, until starting law school in 2004. I transferred after 1 year, which, as far as I am aware, is the only time that you can transfer in any law school in the country.
I explained that my school ranks top third and top half. I did not make the top third cut, but I know that I was close because I graduated with honors, and the cutoff for graduating with honors is close to the cutoff for top third, although I did not know what the difference is. (I think honors is a standard gpa cutoff that does not change from year to year--but I don't know what the gpa cutoff was for top third in my class, which, of course, would change every year.)
Conservative Partner repeated that they were still conducting interviews, but they were obviously looking closely at me. And he repeated that they were quite impressed with me and the fact that I put myself through undergrad while working full time.
I just hope my transcript doesn't blow it for me. My worst grades were in my contract and UCC classes--which are quite relevant to what I would be doing for them. But my best grades were in procedure and performance-based classes (trial ad), which is also very relevant.
7/21/09
Always check your rear view before leaving the house
This morning I had my second round of interviews with Conservative Firm. I carefully selected my black skirt-suit with barely-there pinstripes and even pantyhose.
I was feeling pretty good about the interview when I arrived home, but when I reached behind me to unzip my skirt, I found that it was already unzipped. Yes, it appears that I spend the entire morning with my behind hanging out of my skirt.
I put my jacket back on to assess (ha!) how much I was really showing. About 2", more if I bent or reached. So instead of analyzing the interview, I have spent the last half hour analyzing whether the interviewers were walking in front or behind and whether I ever bent over. Fortunately, I think the opportunity to examine my exposed assets (ha!) was minimal--but it is still very possible that it was noticed.
As for the interview, I think it went well. The first interviewer told me that I had a good presence. And I got the "any firm would be luck to have you" line--but I get that a lot, and yet no frim seems to be thanking their lucky stars to have found me and offering me a job.
He seemed impressed that I had graduated from a top tier school with honors while raising three children. He also spent a lot of time asking about my background-where I was from, what my parents did. My dad is a machinist and my mother was a retail store manager. I obviously do not come from a pedigreed ivy-league background. But I think this played very well, because he stated that their clientele range from fairly unsophisticated and uneducated to highly educated, and they needed someone comfortable dealing with the entire range. I pointed out that their unsophisticated clients are the type of people that I came from, and that while I have pulled myself up by my own bootstraps and acquired an education and some degree of cultural sophistication, I certainly haven't forgotten where I came from.
He was also shocked at the circumstances of my leaving my previous firm, and seemed to sense that something somewhat underhanded had happened there. (Seriously, no lawyer has every heard of someone unable to take a job because of a conflict.) Then he gave me a little pep talk of the "when one door closes, another one opens" variety. (I've heard this one in several interviews, too.)
I also mentioned that I had co-authored a paper that was presented at a large conference on contractual risk transfer--a subject outside my primary practice area, but very relevant to the position at this firm. (Why is this not on my resume? I had almost forgotten about it.) He seemed very excited about that--and then showed me the large treatise on his desk involving the same subject matter.
That interview lasted about an hour, and I felt that we developed a nice rapport.
The second interview was short. I was supposed to interview with that partner first, but the schedule was changed at the last minute. He had a conference call, so we only had about 15 minutes together. He also spent quite a bit of time on my background--then he asked about my undergrad grades.
I told him honestly that my undergrad grades were unimpressive. I worked full-time while I was putting myself through school and just did not put a lot of effort into my classwork. He seemed ok with that--my law grades clearly show that I was smart enough to make the grade. Then he asked how I managed to get into a top tier school if my grades were that bad.
So it came out that I had transferred in from a 4th tier school. But I think he was ok with that, too. I explained that I was highly ranked in the 4th tier school and that it was almost as difficult to transfer in as it was to be admitted in the first place. He did not seem to have a problem with any of that--and also seemed impressed with my law school grades while I was raising a family.
Overall, I think it went well. They did mention that they were interviewing other candidates, but hopefully my blue-collar background and work ethic will give me an advantage. Unfortunately, this firm is taking their time--so who knows how long it will be before they make a decision. It has been a full month since my initial interviews.
I was feeling pretty good about the interview when I arrived home, but when I reached behind me to unzip my skirt, I found that it was already unzipped. Yes, it appears that I spend the entire morning with my behind hanging out of my skirt.
I put my jacket back on to assess (ha!) how much I was really showing. About 2", more if I bent or reached. So instead of analyzing the interview, I have spent the last half hour analyzing whether the interviewers were walking in front or behind and whether I ever bent over. Fortunately, I think the opportunity to examine my exposed assets (ha!) was minimal--but it is still very possible that it was noticed.
As for the interview, I think it went well. The first interviewer told me that I had a good presence. And I got the "any firm would be luck to have you" line--but I get that a lot, and yet no frim seems to be thanking their lucky stars to have found me and offering me a job.
He seemed impressed that I had graduated from a top tier school with honors while raising three children. He also spent a lot of time asking about my background-where I was from, what my parents did. My dad is a machinist and my mother was a retail store manager. I obviously do not come from a pedigreed ivy-league background. But I think this played very well, because he stated that their clientele range from fairly unsophisticated and uneducated to highly educated, and they needed someone comfortable dealing with the entire range. I pointed out that their unsophisticated clients are the type of people that I came from, and that while I have pulled myself up by my own bootstraps and acquired an education and some degree of cultural sophistication, I certainly haven't forgotten where I came from.
He was also shocked at the circumstances of my leaving my previous firm, and seemed to sense that something somewhat underhanded had happened there. (Seriously, no lawyer has every heard of someone unable to take a job because of a conflict.) Then he gave me a little pep talk of the "when one door closes, another one opens" variety. (I've heard this one in several interviews, too.)
I also mentioned that I had co-authored a paper that was presented at a large conference on contractual risk transfer--a subject outside my primary practice area, but very relevant to the position at this firm. (Why is this not on my resume? I had almost forgotten about it.) He seemed very excited about that--and then showed me the large treatise on his desk involving the same subject matter.
That interview lasted about an hour, and I felt that we developed a nice rapport.
The second interview was short. I was supposed to interview with that partner first, but the schedule was changed at the last minute. He had a conference call, so we only had about 15 minutes together. He also spent quite a bit of time on my background--then he asked about my undergrad grades.
I told him honestly that my undergrad grades were unimpressive. I worked full-time while I was putting myself through school and just did not put a lot of effort into my classwork. He seemed ok with that--my law grades clearly show that I was smart enough to make the grade. Then he asked how I managed to get into a top tier school if my grades were that bad.
So it came out that I had transferred in from a 4th tier school. But I think he was ok with that, too. I explained that I was highly ranked in the 4th tier school and that it was almost as difficult to transfer in as it was to be admitted in the first place. He did not seem to have a problem with any of that--and also seemed impressed with my law school grades while I was raising a family.
Overall, I think it went well. They did mention that they were interviewing other candidates, but hopefully my blue-collar background and work ethic will give me an advantage. Unfortunately, this firm is taking their time--so who knows how long it will be before they make a decision. It has been a full month since my initial interviews.
7/20/09
To be or not to be
Conservative Firm just called to set up an interview with 2 named partners (I already interviewed with one of 3 named partners). Woot! This is my last glimmer of hope of landing a job before my end of summer deadline, and then it is full speed ahead with my solo gig.
Actually, this weekend we bought a pricey new all -in-one laser printer. It is pretty much a necessity if I go solo, and can still be used even if I miraculously land a job. We also bought a desk off Craigslist for $80. It's not especially nice, but it gives me a ton of workspace and the price was right.
We've also started converting SS's room into an office. The twins have been begging to be in the same room again, and have both been sleeping in TT's room all summer, so I might as well take advantage of the space.
Since I haven't been able to find affordable office space, I think I am going forward with a virtual office, run from my newly-converted home office. It is the easiest way to keep overhead down--I'm just not so sure about how people feel about a lawyer without a real office.
Opinions anybody?
This is certainly becoming an acceptable way for the small-firm lawyer to practice. It is discussed frequently on Solosez and my state bar is offering a webcast-CLE on the home-based law office this week.
And in reality, I rarely met my clients face-to-face when I worked in a real firm--usually only when we were preparing for depositions. And I hired many experts who charge much more than I will be without ever meeting them in person.
Plus there is the added benefit that I will go to my clients, rather than them coming to me. Like old-fashioned house-calls. Since I'm focusing on a more rural area, this could be a big plus.
But will clients see it that way? And should I openly market my home-based status and the potential benefits, or only mention it when it comes up?
I guess we'll see what works.
Actually, this weekend we bought a pricey new all -in-one laser printer. It is pretty much a necessity if I go solo, and can still be used even if I miraculously land a job. We also bought a desk off Craigslist for $80. It's not especially nice, but it gives me a ton of workspace and the price was right.
We've also started converting SS's room into an office. The twins have been begging to be in the same room again, and have both been sleeping in TT's room all summer, so I might as well take advantage of the space.
Since I haven't been able to find affordable office space, I think I am going forward with a virtual office, run from my newly-converted home office. It is the easiest way to keep overhead down--I'm just not so sure about how people feel about a lawyer without a real office.
Opinions anybody?
This is certainly becoming an acceptable way for the small-firm lawyer to practice. It is discussed frequently on Solosez and my state bar is offering a webcast-CLE on the home-based law office this week.
And in reality, I rarely met my clients face-to-face when I worked in a real firm--usually only when we were preparing for depositions. And I hired many experts who charge much more than I will be without ever meeting them in person.
Plus there is the added benefit that I will go to my clients, rather than them coming to me. Like old-fashioned house-calls. Since I'm focusing on a more rural area, this could be a big plus.
But will clients see it that way? And should I openly market my home-based status and the potential benefits, or only mention it when it comes up?
I guess we'll see what works.
7/19/09
I have good kids
The twins woke DH and me this morning blaring "They Say It's Your Birthday." It is DH's b-day and playing the song first thing in the morning and dancing like crazy people is our family ritual, but this is the first time it has been kid-initiated.
Then they presented DH with a breakfast menu. His choices were:
They've also made up a list of other things they have planned for today
Then they presented DH with a breakfast menu. His choices were:
- Milk
- Water
- OJ
- Beer
- Pancakes
They've also made up a list of other things they have planned for today
- Make a Birthday King Crown
- Write a Birthday Story
- Do Everything We're Told (yeah, we'll see about that one.)
7/18/09
Real life and movies
So this morning we we headed out to the early showing of Harry Potter (which saves us $15 - 20 vs. going to afternoon or evening showings.) Just as we were about to leave our neighborhood, I noticed a car on the side of the road with the door slightly open and the driver jerking around. I pulled over and DH hopped out to check on the guy.
I was backing up to where the other car was and saw DH whip out his cell phone, so I knew something wasn't right. The driver was having a full-blown seizure. I stayed with the driver while DH talked to the 911 operator.
I have had first-aid training, and have been CPR certified, but I didn't recall any instruction for what to do about a seizure, other than stick something in the person's mouth to keep them from biting--and maybe roll them over to keep them from aspirating. But I had already searched through our first-aid kit and hadn't come up with anything appropriate, and since he was mostly upright in the car, the chances of aspiration seemed pretty low.
Fortunately, the seizure seemed to be weakening and the guy did not appear to be causing himself harm. But he was completely unresponsive.
Shortly before the paramedics arrived, he seemed to come out of the seizure, but he was still unable to speak. I tried to ask him questions, and he seemed to understand and sort of nod, but he couldn't speak.
Finally the paramedics arrived, and he was able to speak to them, but he was disoriented and unable to correctly answer basic questions.
I hope everything turned out well. His car had been moved when we drove by this afternoon, so hopefully that is a good sign. I'm glad we stopped--there were several other cars that passed by while we were standing there, and none of them stopped-but they did shoot us the evil-eye for blocking the road.
Yes, we actually made the early showing--we had left really early, and the entire incident above probably only lasted about 15 minutes. And HP was good. PS thought it didn't follow the book closely enough, but you can only cram so much into a movie. I thought it was funnier and less dark and intense than the more recent HP films. Lots of snogging. Ha! I love that word--snogging!
I was backing up to where the other car was and saw DH whip out his cell phone, so I knew something wasn't right. The driver was having a full-blown seizure. I stayed with the driver while DH talked to the 911 operator.
I have had first-aid training, and have been CPR certified, but I didn't recall any instruction for what to do about a seizure, other than stick something in the person's mouth to keep them from biting--and maybe roll them over to keep them from aspirating. But I had already searched through our first-aid kit and hadn't come up with anything appropriate, and since he was mostly upright in the car, the chances of aspiration seemed pretty low.
Fortunately, the seizure seemed to be weakening and the guy did not appear to be causing himself harm. But he was completely unresponsive.
Shortly before the paramedics arrived, he seemed to come out of the seizure, but he was still unable to speak. I tried to ask him questions, and he seemed to understand and sort of nod, but he couldn't speak.
Finally the paramedics arrived, and he was able to speak to them, but he was disoriented and unable to correctly answer basic questions.
I hope everything turned out well. His car had been moved when we drove by this afternoon, so hopefully that is a good sign. I'm glad we stopped--there were several other cars that passed by while we were standing there, and none of them stopped-but they did shoot us the evil-eye for blocking the road.
Yes, we actually made the early showing--we had left really early, and the entire incident above probably only lasted about 15 minutes. And HP was good. PS thought it didn't follow the book closely enough, but you can only cram so much into a movie. I thought it was funnier and less dark and intense than the more recent HP films. Lots of snogging. Ha! I love that word--snogging!
7/17/09
The Last Unicorn
So I worked the Legal Aid intake clinic last night. I think it was good for me. A little slap upside the head to remind me that there are plenty of people with even worse lives than me right now.
And it was nice to have a reason to put on my suit and heels and look like a lawyer again.
The clinic was about 20 miles away, along back country roads. I was driving back home at dusk when I saw a unicorn walking toward the road. What's that you say? There's no such thing as unicorns? That's kind of what I was thinking, too. But it was a big white horse with something sticking straight up on top of its head.
As I passed, I realized that it was its ears sticking up. But they were long ears--like a donkey. And this animal was bigger than a donkey--and I've never seen a white donkey. Maybe it was a white mule with long donkey ears. But my dad has a mule and it has short horse ears. So I'm just going to stick with unicorn.
Hopefully it's a sign of good things to come. Or maybe its just a sign that I'm losing my mind.
And it was nice to have a reason to put on my suit and heels and look like a lawyer again.
The clinic was about 20 miles away, along back country roads. I was driving back home at dusk when I saw a unicorn walking toward the road. What's that you say? There's no such thing as unicorns? That's kind of what I was thinking, too. But it was a big white horse with something sticking straight up on top of its head.
As I passed, I realized that it was its ears sticking up. But they were long ears--like a donkey. And this animal was bigger than a donkey--and I've never seen a white donkey. Maybe it was a white mule with long donkey ears. But my dad has a mule and it has short horse ears. So I'm just going to stick with unicorn.
Hopefully it's a sign of good things to come. Or maybe its just a sign that I'm losing my mind.
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