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How is COVID-19 Affecting the July Bar Exam?
By Susan Smith Blakely • March 25, 2020 •Careers, Other Career Issues
So what about the July Bar Exams amid COVID-19? Here is some information about what is being considered if July Bar Exams cannot go forward for reasons related to coronavirus and COVID-19. You will see there the options being considered. Some are not so good, and others are better. But one may be missing altogether. It seems to me that the option for "emergency diploma privilege-plus" is the best option and could work --- with one caveat. I agree that "diploma privilege" might be a good idea to meet the needs of Spring 2020 law graduates to enter the workforce as…
What Millennial Lawyers Need and How Law Firms Must Respond
By Susan Smith Blakely • March 05, 2020 •Careers, Firms and the Private Sector
I have written and spoken a lot about what millennial lawyers need. And, as many of you know, my book, What Millennial Lawyers Want: A Bridge from the Past to the Future of Law Practice (Wolters Kluwer/Aspen Publishers 2018), explores the subject at length. Even with that book and the many speaking engagements that followed its popularity, I am grateful each time I see another writer tackle the issue. The experiences of young lawyers and the future of the law profession are big issues and causes for concern, so I welcome other ideas and approaches. And once in awhile, I see an…
Stuck in a Career Rut? 7 Tips for Women Practicing Law
By Ann Lloyd • March 02, 2020 •Careers
Stuck in a Career Rut? 7 Tips for Women Practicing Law By Ann Lloyd, Student Savings Guide Practicing law is one of the most stressful, high-pressure professions out there — especially when you’re a woman. We know it’s not all exciting courtroom drama. In fact, most of it is just the opposite: seemingly endless hours of research, reading, and writing. Just getting through law school was stressful enough. Now you’ve got clients, clerks, and demanding partners depending on you, too. And what about making partner, yourself? That could seem like a pie-in-the-sky dream, in light of the gender discrimination you…-100x100.jpg)
Practice Pointers - Communicating Your Value
By Natasha Alladina • February 29, 2020 •Writers in Residence, Careers
When I was on dating apps, my profile said I worked at “Yet Another Law Firm.” I thought it was cheeky at the time. But now that I’m a legal recruiter, I’ve realized that what I thought was a funny joke is unfortunately how so many lawyers very seriously brand themselves. How many of you have seen or have a LinkedIn profile that reads something like this? "Associate/Attorney at XYZ [firm/company/agency/nonprofit]." I.e., “yet another lawyer” at “yet another place.” As lawyers, we spend long days and nights advocating for and advising others. We get entrenched in minute details to provide…
Women Lawyers Are Held Back by Childcare Responsibilities: What Are Law Firms Doing About It?
By Susan Smith Blakely • February 27, 2020 •Careers, Firms and the Private Sector
The National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) issued the One Third By 2020 Challenge in 2006, calling for law firms to have one-third of their equity partners be women by 2020. At the end of 2019, law firms collectively had achieved only 19 percent. One reason for the slower than predicted ascent of women lawyers to ownership positions in law firms is that women bear the major responsibility for childcare. Tech-assisted flexibility makes it possible for women to service clients, but that flexibility doesn't extend into the "realm of developing a book of business," according to Jennifer Minter, Chair of…
Everything Nobody Ever Told Me: Is Self-Employment For You?
By Paula M Jones • February 25, 2020 •Ms. JD, Writers in Residence, Careers, Firms and the Private Sector, Other Career Issues
Being a self-employed means you work 12 hours a day for yourself so you don't have to work 8 hours a day for someone else. - Oliver Markus Malloy After twenty years at law firms, I left with my book of business and opened up my own practice. Words really can’t express the sheer happiness I have experienced since then. I bill fewer hours but take home significantly higher compensation. I actually enjoy practicing law again. I am finally able to combine my international practice with my love of travel, resulting in more trips abroad to meet with clients and…
Are Networking Events Worth a Young Lawyer’s Time?
By Susan Smith Blakely • February 20, 2020 •Careers, Other Career Issues
I know. You hear it all the time. Go to those networking events! They are so valuable! And, yes, you have heard it from me before. But not all networking events are equal. As you will read in this article, you need to be discriminating when it comes to the value of networking events. Spring is just around the corner (we hope!), and Spring is a season full of networking events. Better weather and hope for the future spring eternal at that time of year. So, get ready with some good info on choosing your networking events wisely. As the article points out, human connection…
Swimming Lessons for Baby Sharks: Practical Advice for New Lawyers
By Grover E. Cleveland • February 10, 2020 •Careers, Firms and the Private Sector
Michelle Travis, law professor and Dean’s Circle Scholar at the University of San Francisco School of Law has published a new book, Dads for Daughters: How Fathers Can Give their Daughters a Better, Brighter, Fairer Future. Even though I am not a dad, I found the stories fascinating and inspiring. Travis blends meticulous research with endearing and thought-provoking stories of fathers who help expand opportunities for women. It is an easy, uplifting read that I highly recommend. I had the opportunity to interview Professor Travis about the book and her insights on supporting women at work: Q: In the book…
Young Lawyers: Can Baking Overcome Your Anxiety?
By Susan Smith Blakely • February 07, 2020 •Careers, Firms and the Private Sector
We all are full of anxiety and stress these days. You know it. And we all are looking for ways to deal with the disappointing news of the day, the challenges of our work experiences, and the other unsatisfactory realities of our lives. So, what are we doing about it? Exercise is good. Eating wrong is bad. For me cooking is even worse, and baking is out of the question unless it is a national holiday and for my family and friends. After almost 50 years of marriage and some cooking and baking before then, I am over it. Hello…