From the category archives:

Careers

Following Up, Step-by-Step

February 5, 2010

My last post talked about creating follow up systems to make the most out of your network. Some readers wanted some more ‘meat,’ so I prepared a more detailed, step by step guide. The permutations of a follow-up plan are almost endless; this example is just meant to give you some ideas to get you [...]

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Getting Real: Putting Yourself under Oath

February 3, 2010

Even though we are usually ready and willing to dig into the dirty, ugly, underside of our clients’ circumstances, we often shy away from putting our own practice and own behaviors  under the microscope.
We encourage our clients to fully disclose details to us, to bare their souls, and to tell us things that they would [...]

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New Lawyers (and Law Students) Need to Define Their Personal Brand

February 1, 2010

Kevin O’Keefe hit the nail on the head in his recent post emphasizing the tough job market and new law graduates’ need for an edge. What’s a good way to get that edge in perhaps the toughest legal market in decades? Develop a personal brand.

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Tips for Adjuncts: Balancing Practice and Teaching

January 29, 2010

Teaching a law school course is a ton of work, but, it is well-worth the investment.
I am about to start my third semester teaching a law school course while practicing full-time as a mid-level associate in a large law firm. It is not easy to maintain your quality of life while balancing practice and teaching, but [...]

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How to Become an Adjunct Professor of Law

January 27, 2010

I recently explained why lawyers should teach. This post offers a road map for lawyers interested in teaching a law school course as an adjunct professor.
Although tenure-track law professorships are scarce and fiercely competitive, it is comparatively easy to become an adjunct professor of law. Design a course that you are qualified to teach and that fills [...]

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Pursuing an Alternative Legal Career

January 26, 2010

If your vision of an alternative career is leaving private practice for a corporate job, your path will look like a traditional job search: revising documents, networking and information interviewing, lining up references, and a good supply of patience. You might find job postings, and you may be able to use a headhunter.
Searching for a [...]

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Federal Clerkships: Mission Impossible?

January 24, 2010

Law students have always coveted federal clerkships, leading to fierce competition for a very small number of positions. According to recent statistics, however, the sheer number of applications makes it nearly impossible. Applications increased 66% increase last year, resulting in 400,000 applications for 1,244 federal clerkships.
With those kinds of odds, some students might not even consider applying. [...]

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New Contributor: Susan Gainen, Generation-Shift Consultant and Entrepreneur

January 23, 2010

I am delighted to become the newest Lawyerist blogger, and I bring the perspective of an enthusiastic Boomer who has had more than her share of careers and career paths.
I have been an administrative secretary and sales rep for a food broker, car sales rep and finance and insurance manager, typesetter (on stone-age and space-age [...]

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Studying For the Bar Exam On An iPhone is a Bad Idea

January 21, 2010

BarBri recently added an iPod option for their bar prep class, which allows students to listen to lectures rather than actually attend them. It also costs students an additional $700.
Now a new app called BarMax allows students to prepare for the bar on their iPhone (for now, only in California). At $999.99, the app is [...]

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Keeping Pro Bono in the Mix Can Pay Career Dividends

January 20, 2010

There are many reasons for doing pro bono work as a component of your practice. Besides the fact that it is strongly encouraged by the rules of professional conduct and is good for the community, doing pro bono work can pay big dividends for your career
Altruism is good, but pro bono practice can benefit newer, [...]

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