tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54124594235475977682024-03-07T22:05:39.856-08:00Reality of the Modern WomanA recent law school graduate's adventures through failing the bar exam, job search, and strategies that worked and ones that did not!A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412459423547597768.post-11674349330726509932011-05-30T18:41:00.000-07:002011-05-30T18:53:43.380-07:00Starting a Law Firm - Going Solo!So, after much soul searching and discussion, I decided to go solo. So, what are some pros and cons that I am facing before I even start? <div><br /></div><div>Challenges: </div><div>1) Making sure you are connected</div><div>2) Making decisions alone with no one else to blame if something doesn't work</div><div>3) Major changes including being home more often, having no fixed schedule, and having to think in terms of "market" instead of where you want to live, work, etc.</div><div>4) Initial investment of $$</div><div><br /></div><div>Benefits:</div><div>1) No fear of pleasing a boss at the expense of your comfort</div><div>2) No fear of losing a job because you disagree with something</div><div>3) Practicing law the way you want to practice law (Could we sum it all with "More control!")</div><div>4) No limits to your potential</div><div>5) Control on how you spend your day</div><div>6) Control on which trainings etc. you want to go to </div><div>7) Being able to offer what you can offer - no artificial limits based on "job description".</div><div>8) Hopefully eventually being able to hire others for the "grunt work"</div><div><br /></div><div>So, I still have to figure out all of the following</div><div>1) Accountant</div><div>2) Name for a law firm</div><div>3) Name for a website</div><div>4) LOCATION of law office</div><div>5) Sources of clients (ads? where?)</div><div>6) Designing a website</div><div><br /></div><div>Phew! I will keep you updated on this journey.</div>A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412459423547597768.post-65291428008390765252011-05-06T16:49:00.000-07:002011-05-06T16:58:13.116-07:00Bad Experience followed by Unemployment AGAINThe world of immigration law jobs has not been an easy one for me. Thinking I was getting a great opportunity, I quit my "safe" job at the non-profit for a more lucrative one at a large national immigration law firm. However, that law firm has been a HUGE let down. I was subject to 15 hour workdays and non-stop traveling and visiting clients in various immigration detention centers far and near. Weekends were workdays as well. That would have been okay if that's all that was bad. However, the managing attorney was downright abusive to his employees. Any dissenter was fired. People were hired and fired in a snap for no apparent reason all the time. At-will employment at its best! I was forced to stay in an office far from where I was hired and was living off hotels. One question about when I would be sent back to my permanent location, and I was "let go". <br /><br />And Good Riddance at that! I mean, how long can you hang on to a job like that? But then I went from a safe job to no job in the period of a month! As I write this, I have no job to speak of. I am hesitatingly considering applying for unemployment benefits. But a new possibility that has kept poking its head is now knocking on the door again, and yelling, "Start your own practice already, Dummy!" <br /><br />What's keeping me back? I do not know. I know in my heart that I am a fantastic lawyer and that once I get started, I will be amazing. I know that I want to have my own schedule and be my own boss. I know I can deliver good results. But....getting that first client is still scary. It is scary to spend money on marketing without having any money to spend!<br /><br />This is the new reality. No job security at all. Everyone is out on his or her own. Women like myself are forced to be bread-winners of the family. I am excited and nervous and at the same time a tad bit fearful of the future. But my cup is empty again. That means something will have to fill it!A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412459423547597768.post-54266320363227902032010-05-26T12:08:00.000-07:002010-05-26T12:10:58.446-07:00Across the Board Budget Cuts - Fair for everyone?Recently our nonprofit organization announced "Across the board budget cuts" and has asked everyone to reduce their hours and pay by 25% "across the board." This is a valiant effort in order to avoid layoffs, which our small firm would not be able to handle.<br /><br />However, how does 'across the board' work with part-time workers? Some of our staff already reduces hours every summer voluntarily for their personal/family reasons. A 25% cut for them would be what they would normally do anyway. Whereas for full-time workers, it is a significant cut in pay and hours. What is a fair way to administer across the board cuts?<br /><br />How do other agencies, companies, etc. make that happen?A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412459423547597768.post-5284892055326623952010-03-11T09:56:00.000-08:002010-03-11T10:54:06.838-08:00Articles Like these frustrate me. Minority v. White?http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_white_minority#mwpphu-container<br /><br />We have seen several articles like these as the census comes nearer. Minority births, Minority immigration, and Minority percentage statistics to scare the historic White Majority away! These alarmist articles miss the point. <br /><br />The world is becoming smaller. We are now dealing with emerging countries who are competing with us globally for better technology and education. And globally speaking, Chinese and Indians are the vast majority. Trying to protect our fragile racially conservative egos will only cause us to lose our competitive edge. Immigration has been our competitive edge throughout history. That is because we were formed as a nation of immigrants. Think about it. Starting from the European settlers, to the Irish mass immigration, to the Eastern European immigration, to the African slave trades, to the Japanese and Asian immigration waves, we have seen it all. And with every wave came a similar reaction from the "settled" folks. Fear mongering, discrimination, and sometimes worse. But what we feared actually is our strength. We are a country that is not defined by race but by ideals, and that makes a good country! Globally speaking, the world has always been shifting and immigrating. Immigration is determined by economics more than anything. High immigration is a sign of good economic conditions. Perhaps some people want higher immigration to our competing countries? <br /><br />We lost the Olympic bid largely because our country was considered too hostile to visitors. Do we want to fall behind globally while pampering our fragile egos?A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412459423547597768.post-24720638263498107022010-02-08T11:07:00.000-08:002010-02-08T11:29:38.702-08:00Time for something new?After a year or so of ups and downs at Nonprofit law, I wonder if it is time for something new.<br /><br />Several questions keep popping up in my mind. How soon is too soon to change jobs? Is a year too soon? How about 2?<br /><br />How does one transfer skills from nonprofit to the private law world? Surely the case load is qualitatively different. The whole world of employment based immigration rarely enters the nonprofit world because of the income differences. However, this is often the bulk of the practice in the for-profit world. And employment-based immigration is a whole new beast to tackle.<br /><br />So how would I go about convincing a potential private law firm employer that I am qualified for the job? Does beginning in non-profit mean I am pegged into the nonprofit sector hole for the rest of my career? It isn't that I dislike working at nonprofits. Actually, quite the opposite. However, there is limited growth at my current organization. I could not possibly wind up doing the same thing I have done for the past year for another 10 years. <br /><br />I see some jobs popping up, but many of them require experience in the employment-based arena. That does not stop me from wanting to apply. Is it normal to feel bored of a job after such a short period of time? <br /><br />I wonder. . .A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412459423547597768.post-24722687835202754492009-07-14T13:00:00.000-07:002009-07-14T13:32:26.902-07:00Make up for Professional Women?I was reading an article about indicators of the struggling economy, and below is a quote from it:<br /><br /><p>"You’ve got that recession look in your eye. Total eye-makeup sales at supermarkets and drugstores were up 8.5% in the one-year period that ended on March 22. In that period, more than $260 million was spent on eye makeup – in particular, eyeliner was up 9% and mascara almost 13%, the industry says. </p> <p>The leading lipstick indicator – the past trend that lipstick sales rose in economic downturns as consumers settled for inexpensive luxuries – is not holding up. Lipstick sales are down 11%. But eye makeup has replaced lipstick as the indicator, devotees of this theory say."</p><p>http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/2009/06/10_Quirky_Economic_Indicators.html</p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">This gets me to think - what are the implications of make up in the professional world? Or even more specifically, what are the implications for the various types of make up (i.e. eye make up vs. lipstick?). In the book I read, "</span><span style="font-size:100%;">Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office<span class="subtitle">: 101 Unconscious Mistakes Women Make That Sabotage Their Careers</span>," <em class="nl"><a foo="bar" href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?ATH=Lois+P%2E+Frankel" class="">Lois P. Frankel</a></em></span> discusses the implications of wearing make up, as well as wearing much make up. Both of those, she says, are harmful to a woman's image as a professional and therefore impede on her chances of moving up the ladder. <br /></p><p>On the one hand, make-up seems to emphasize a woman's femininity. On the other hand, it makes her more noticeable. Naturally more petite than men, women are often in the shadows. With slight help of an eyeliner or a lipstick, certain features stand out a little more, in a subtle fashion. Normally, I don't wear much make-up, but when I do, it is a little eyeliner, and a little lipstick. So what are the different effects of eye make-up and lipstick? I think a red lipstick indicates confidence and power. Bright lips draw attention to a woman's spoken words. On the other hand, eye make-up emphasizes the eyes. Eyes, the windows to the soul, can indicate a more submissive role of listening and looking, or of "paying attention" but also of an empowering act of making eye-contact, depending on the person's demeanor. <br /></p><p>Yet, for some reason, lipstick stands out to me as a confidence indicator. Bright lipstick. I would wear a bright lipstick in court, but perhaps eye-make up is ideal for creating a warm, comforting, and trusting relationship with a sensitive client. <br /></p><p>Thoughts?<br /></p>A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412459423547597768.post-63702563515889441502009-03-12T16:19:00.000-07:002009-03-12T16:23:47.058-07:00Big Law may start to cut associate paySo, I have heard that several Big law firms are starting to cut associate pay - to - $144,000 instead of $160,000. You won't find any sympathy here, new big law associates! As for the people who are laid off....you should know that there was no reason for them to lay you off. They could have reduced pay for everyone just a little and avoided lay offs.<br /><br />That is what stinks about the minds of people in charge. It is easier for them to trim their workforce, including new associates and staff members, than it is for them to announce pay cuts. I have a very hard time sympathizing with the big firm business model, but that may be because I am missing something.<br /><br />Anyone care to explain?A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412459423547597768.post-44150407910600422492009-03-02T15:09:00.000-08:002009-03-02T15:16:39.068-08:00Loans, Loan Repayment, Public Interest work and FRUSTRATION!Hello,<br />As I have stated before, I have started working in the field of public interest immigration law. Being prudent, my next thought was that I should look into loan repayment assistance because that was heavily advertised in my law school and we were all encouraged to do public interest work. Bad news followed!<br /><br />I missed the mark for qualifying for loan repayment assistance at my school because after making all the payments while I was unemployed I went just below the qualifying loan amount. So I was making them pay too little! Then I thought, maybe there are other programs that will help me out. I found out that federal perkins loan can be forgiven if it is not consolidated. ONLY IF it is NOT Consolidated! Well, I consolidated mine!!! So, No assistance for me because I was being too prudent and forcing myself to make loan repayments while I was unemployed, and because I consolidated my federal perkins loan. <br /><br />I am very frustrated right now. I figure, if all the doors are closed, I may need to find a window, but I can't right now and it seems as if I just have to suck it up and pay off my loan little by little, unless our new President does something about it. Unfortunately, realistically speaking, that may also mean that I will not do public interest work for too long. Who wants to make little and pay off huge debts at the same time?<br /><br />Lesson: Pay attention to all these things BEFORE you start law school. If you think you will work in the public interest - if there is even a chance that you will - look at the law school's requirements for public interest loan assistance. Then you know whether you SHOULD in fact take out more loans and not beg your family for financial assistance. Perhaps it will make more financial sense to NOT consolidate, and maybe more financial sense to take out those private loans with the high interest rates after all. <br /><br />I hate being punished for being financially responsible, but that unfortunately, may be what happens in life. Play smart.A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412459423547597768.post-58571634875424825352009-02-11T21:37:00.000-08:002009-02-11T21:45:54.639-08:00Four Months Later . . .Hi again. I am sure anyone who has followed this blog has had changes in their lives in the past 4 months, and I have too. Good changes.<br /><br />A year ago, when I was looking for a job in the city, a good friend suggested a job outside the city. At the time, I ignored it and went on looking and tormenting myself with bad jobs and unemployment. I decided I would try to get that job outside the city after all. So, I emailed the director of this nonprofit (mentioning my friend of course), set up a phone interview, then set up an in-person interview. All went well and I was hired! But I had a month long vacation scheduled right afterwards. I went on the month long vacation and the director agreed that the start date would be a month later.<br /><br />I have since moved. To all those who are in large metro areas, I say look outside your area because that's where the jobs are! I really did not want to move and my husband really did not want to move, but we both have moved, bought a car, and are adjusting fabulously. The best part of all this is that the commute is only 7 minutes (not 90 minutes like my previous job that was in the city but involved a bunch of changes from trains to bus). Parking is plentiful. I feel much saner and more at peace with life in general. <br /><br />So the plans to go off on my own are on the back burner for now. I am learning a lot, which always helps. I actually like nonprofit work quite a lot. And the pay is a little higher than in the city as an added incentive to move. How lovely! <br /><br />The challenges? None compared to the challenges I just came out of.A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412459423547597768.post-82098662267827600502008-10-18T09:50:00.000-07:002008-10-18T10:01:29.224-07:00Interviews and confusionHello,<br /><br />So today I am going to write about a tricky situation I have landed in. The employer who had called me in and never showed up called back and invited me in for an interview. After a couple of interviews on different days, I did not hear back for a couple of weeks. I followed up, but did not get a response to the follow-up call.<br /><br />Then suddenly I got a call to meet some clients at the office of the employer. I went, but was confused as to why I was being called to meet clients when I had not been offered, nor had I accepted, a job with this employer. However, I met the clients, and talked with the employer some more. I got a feeling that the employer was pleased and perhaps wants me to start. But I have not heard anything about the salary yet. Meanwhile, I got two other calls for interviews. How do I respond to the interview calls and how do I communicate to this employer that although I am interested in the firm, I cannot begin unless there is an agreement as to the terms of employment...and that agreement has to come soon or I will be blowing off other interviewers who *are* serious about the position?<br /><br />Lost is me today.A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412459423547597768.post-3906636991504149602008-09-14T13:12:00.000-07:002008-09-14T13:29:47.857-07:00On my Own?!So as I struggle through this painful process, my well-meaning uncle suggested something to me: "Why not go out on your own?" "Sure, uncle, but the problem is, that I don't know this area of law well enough!" "Can't you learn from reading materials and attending bar association seminars?" "Yess...but...."<br /><br />Hmm...well, the thought is planted. In truth, there is much about immigration law that can be learned. And I know how to litigate bond cases. I have done a few of those already with no training. If I can litigate with no training, then can't I at least take simpler cases on my own? Self-teach for 6 months and then go out and make money? No more dealing with stingy, rude employers! <br /><br />So, really there are a few issues I really need to think deeply about before I make this huge decision.<br /><br />1) Am I willing to make this kind of investment right now with little to no savings?<br />2) Can I learn the law sufficiently well to go off on my own with no one to fall back on?<br />3) Will I be able to handle the rough times that may come along with a solo practice?<br /><br />Until I answer these questions in the affirmative, I cannot proceed to ask the more detailed questions that will invariably surface. <br /><br />However, here is what I will do to prepare for this decision if it should need to be made. I will go out and learn on my own in addition to job search. I will make myself as competent as I possibly can and make contacts along the way.A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412459423547597768.post-10634389302494285022008-09-11T20:33:00.000-07:002008-09-11T20:48:53.466-07:00Attempt at an InterviewSo, I am writing this update shortly after my previous post. I think I will start writing more often. The problem with writing regularly is that sometimes the job prospects look so terrible that I don't want to remind myself of what I am going through by writing about it. However, I think I will go through that pain if it helps someone else out. In light of how little I knew about anything law-related prior to choosing law as a profession and in law school, I think the more prepared someone is, the more they read real people's real experiences, the better he or she will handle the tough times. <br /><br />So I had emailed my resume to someone yesterday and received a call within 5 minutes requesting information. As I was outdoors, I said I would call back in 10 minutes once I came home. I did that and she was too busy at the time to talk, so we emailed back and forth and scheduled a meeting today evening. I showed up at the scheduled time and the firm door was locked. I rang the bell and someone came outside to inquire what I wanted. I explained that I had communicated with the attorney via email and she had asked me to come at this time for an interview. I was told to wait outside in the lobby. A minute later, the receptionist asked again whether I had an appointment because she didn't have me scheduled and the attorney was trying to meet a deadline. I said I understood and would be happy to return at a later time if she thought that would be best. She then went back inside to ask and came back and asked me to come in. I was greeted by stacks of files and papers everywhere. That is not a surprise to me because I have worked at small firms before and not all are too organized. The receptionist/secretary moved some files and made a place for me to sit on a chair. I could hear the conversation inside the office. The attorney scolded the secretary for not printing out the email I had sent. The secretary started printing it out. Then I heard the attorney discuss matters that were related to her project for a few minutes. I offered again to come back at a later date since I did not want to interfere with an important assignment. I was told "The attorney will try to meet you." I waited for about 45 minutes. I could hear some work related talk and then I heard something like "Well, she is not important right now. She can come back tomorrow or Monday." I waited some more....and then without bothering someone else again, I left the office.<br /><br />I emailed the attorney a polite apology and informed her that I needed to leave and did not want to bother them during a busy time, but would be glad to re-schedule a meeting at a more comfortable time.<br /><br />I am not sure what to make of the deal. On the one hand, of course attorneys are busy and things come up. On the other hand, if there was a deadline, why would I be asked to come at that time? If I came and if they were not able to meet me, shouldn't they be more gracious or apologetic than what I heard?<br /><br />As a new attorney, it is very difficult it seems to keep my head up and expect basic civility and fairness at a place of work. Perhaps the only option would be to start my own practice. Had I known all this before law school, I don't know if I would have attended. . .A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412459423547597768.post-40566108722209111092008-09-09T19:50:00.000-07:002008-09-09T20:23:39.983-07:00End? Every end is a new beginning!So my previous entry was about my search coming to an end. In truth, I am back in the market. The reason? Well, I had accepted the previous position with a conversation that the law clerk position would transition into an attorney position. Well, what happened? The law clerk position DID transition into an attorney position; in fact, after only a week! BUT the pay remained the same... and I was told that the pay would increase at the end of August. So I slogged through cases without any training and fought and even won several immigration cases! I was showered with praise by a few of my clients, all the while still trying to manage on my own (stay afloat) with absolutely NO training and a law clerk's salary.<br /><br />At the end of the month, the time came where my salary would catch up to my workload. Instead, I received the "well, we want to wait another month" talk because I had missed a couple of "office policies" like checking out a file before removing it and I had ended up coming in a little late on two occasions. Never mind the fact that I always stayed hours later, and I had an hour and half commute with buses and trains and could not perfectly time my entry every time. Well, I suppose I should take it more positively and more as a warning sign that I should *never* be late if I can help it, regardless of how hard I work on my cases, how I do in court, and how my clients feel about their representation, I should still pay attention to details and maintain the same professionalism as I would on a job interview.<br /><br />So what would happen had I waited another month? Would my salary still remain at the law clerk level and would I receive the same "we want to wait yet another month" talk or would I finally get the rate which other attorneys with similar responsibilities were already making starting out? Worse yet, what if after 3 months of working as an attorney on a law clerk salary, I am told to leave? What if. . . .? There was no guarantee with this job especially with someone postponing what I believe is not a "raise" but salary that is already earned. <br /><br />I don't know if I did the right thing in the end, but I decided to leave that firm and look for a full time attorney position. So I gave a week's notice and informed my boss that I could not stay at a law clerk's salary for longer especially since I was already doing attorney work. I left on good terms and wrapped up my case load as much as I could, and trained a new attorney who is starting on a law clerk's salary.<br /><br />So today I had another interview. This interview was with an immigration firm similar to the firm I left (worse, but probably with better pay). I felt a funny feeling in my stomach about this firm. When I received the interview call, they wanted me to come in the next day at a specified time. I asked if any other days or time were available or if that was the only one and I was told that it was the only time available. I took it. I did not make that mean anything more than "they are busy." After the initial question or two and a quick glance through my resume, I was asked how many hours I worked at my previous firm. I answered honestly (9.5-10) as I always do. I was quickly told that this had a high turnover rate and expected attorneys to work a minimum of 12 hours. I only responded with an "okay." I was told that attorneys were expected to work on hundreds of cases at once and had a very high stress environment. Again I nodded that I understood. I was then questioned on my caseload at the previous firm and the type of work I did. At that point, I discussed my work and pointed out my writing sample, which was a brief I had written at the previous firm. The interviewer, who was not an attorney, scoffed and asked what basis I had to prepare this Waiver application (I-601), "children?" "No," I responded, "physical and mental health issues." I know through some work on this waiver that waiver applications prepared using children rarely succeed (legally, the only hardship that is considered for this waiver is on the petitioning spouse), but I did not mention it. He proceeded to poke a bit more into the waiver and scoffing immensely each time. Then he said only 5 such applications had ever been accepted. This is something I know to be false, but I did not mention it, and instead lightened the atmosphere by laughing and saying "I am glad I did not know that when I prepared that application."<br /><br />To top it off, when I got home, I called the receptionist to ask if I could have the email addresses of the people who interviewed me so I can write a thank you note. I wanted to email a note so that it reaches them faster, and I wanted to convey that I was confident that I was going to be able to meet the firm's job requirements just in case they had suspicions based on my neutral response to their statement of the work requirements. As soon as the receptionist gave me the email addresses, she said "wait. hold on" and then asked me the purpose of the email, which I informed was to write a thank you. She said "because, they said it needs to be pre-approved in order for you to email them. <br /><br />I don't know why, but I suspect that I may not get that job. If I do, I suppose I am curious to know how much it would pay. However, I am also a bit <span style="font-style: italic;">afraid</span> to get that position because I may actually be tempted if it pays a lot. I am almost sure that it would be a miserable place to work.A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412459423547597768.post-12326994521326825672008-08-04T19:26:00.000-07:002008-08-04T19:51:35.106-07:00And the Search comes to an end.Dear all,<br /><br />Very happily I report that I have found a job, and have indeed been working there for the past 3 weeks or so. The job I found started me off as a law clerk and will move me up to an attorney position soon. In three weeks, I am happy to say I have learned a tremendous amount, but first things first.<br /><br />The interview.<br /><br />Well, what went differently in this interview was that I was totally comfortable in my own skin. I knew exactly what I wanted, what my strengths were, what my weaknesses were, and why I wanted to work at the firm where I was interviewing. Most importantly, I was in some ways passionate about the type of work the firm does (yes immigration law, but also a few other types of law). And my passion must have shown because when I was hired, I was told that the main partner was impressed with the "fire" in me. I was in no ways desperately looking for "any" job. In fact, I went there with the attitude that I love the work the firm does, and I am excited to learn whatever I can. This shift in attitude is what is extremely hard when you spend over a year without a paycheck, but it is probably the main reason I found a job. <br /><br />The pay/terms.<br /><br />So, quite honestly, the position is not a high paying position, and at the same time, it is a LOT of work. In fact, they started me off as a law clerk making *less* than what I was making as a law clerk while I was in law school. To top it off, responsibility keeps piling on as one of the attorneys has recently quit. But at this stage, I do not let the money aspect of it interfere with the quality of my work or my attention to the job. I consider myself indeed fortunate to have a boss that values my learning and consistently gives me opportunities to learn. I like that this is a job that challenges me every day. There is less learning in an "easy" job. I am always awake and ready to go as I enter the office. <br /><br />Lessons learned.<br /><br />Here are a few things I have learned:<br /><br />1) "America's Greatest Places to Work with a Law Degree" by Kimm Alayne Walton has some GREAT tips in the back of the book on what a new associate should do and avoid. Read it over and over and over.<br />2) Do not underestimate the administrative stuff. It can make life hell or make it smooth as pie, so be very precise with that.<br />3) ALWAYS prepare before court hearings. Err on the side of more preparation.<br />4) Do not mistakenly think that a low paying job is a 9-5 job. You may work late and even weekends.<br />5) Don't be sour. A smaller starting salary does not mean you will never make it big. But being a bad lawyer will severely limit your growth. Sour people are universally disliked.<br />6) Welcome criticism and take responsibility for the mistake when you can. You will probably get a lot in the beginning. Don't think of it as criticism, but think of it as a friend giving you some honest advice. Thank that person for being honest and make every effort not to repeat the same mistake. Don't make it a big deal either and don't beat yourself up over making mistakes.If you are at a firm where people are hush hush, make an effort to invite criticism/feedback.<br />7) Communicate! Your boss won't know you have a 2 hour commute each way if you don't tell him/her. Just don't complain about it, but mention things in conversation when you can. Your boss won't know a project is taking longer than anticipate if you don't keep him/her updated.<br />8) Please, for decency's sake, do NOT get drunk in front of your boss. Not even at a Christmas party. Please, just DON'T. Not even if your boss is drunk. On the same note, DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE! You are a LAWYER, for goshsake. How smart will you look with a DUI? (that last part was a bit of venting).<br /><br />Good Luck!A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412459423547597768.post-64350214728122130362008-05-05T23:33:00.001-07:002008-05-05T23:48:42.025-07:00Job Search Strategies for Law School Graduates and StudentsSo Let me just start by being upfront about one thing. I was in the bottom half of the graduating class. I never imagined that this would be the case because of how successful I had been at earlier stages in education, but it happened. And it killed my self-confidence and motivation and creativity and everything else! I think if I had to do it all over again, I would have done many things differently, but that's not the point. The point is that my grades are what they are. I worked throughout law school to try to make it financially and there was nothing I could do about that. <br /><br />One year out of law school and I still don't have a job. I have gone through phases of hopefulness versus hopelessness and feeling like I should apply for unemployment benefits. But overall, I am in a very good place right now. I have realized that the mass mailing services like Legal Authority just didn't cut it for me. What I really needed to do was do some soul-searching about what type of law I want to practice, and then network! The one thing that I had been truly avoiding throughout law school and afterwards and it seems like the only avenue left!<br /><br />So I have settled on practicing immigration law, or at least working primarily with immigrants. Even though my law clerk experiences are all over the place from real estate to IP/Copyright, immigration really lights me up. I actually enjoy reading the literature on immigration law and like the idea of having primarily immigrant clients. Another bonus is the fact that I never have to take another bar exam regardless of where I move! How did I decide on a field? I went to the CLE seminars on the topic. I joined the local bar association groups. I called people in the practice and I got off the computer! I volunteered with organizations that practice immigration.<br /><br />So I have only been networking for about a month. It has been fantastic just to know the field, even though I have still not found a job. I somehow feel that I am closer to it than I ever felt before. Still crossing my fingers!A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412459423547597768.post-56711737397308020672008-03-16T17:29:00.000-07:002008-03-16T17:58:18.899-07:00ReTake of the Illinois Bar: What I did DifferentlySo I finally retook the Illinois bar this February after a long wait and fruitless job search. I don't know the results yet because they come out in April, but I had a better feeling going into it. This is what I did and when the results come out, I will let you know if it worked or not.<br /><br />1) I paid for Micromash software for the MBE subjects. I realized that I had not done nearly enough questions the last time and needed more practice with the MBEs so I called the Micromash people. <br />- Here's the scoop: You can purchase JUST the software. This is not advertised, but when I called they allowed me to purchase just the software for the MBE without the books for a much cheaper rate. I did about 34 questions a day and read through the explanations. What I did not do, but wish I did, was make flashcards based on the answer explanations early on in the studying regime. <br />- I rate Micromash a B. It helped me because I could do it from home or library, but taking questions on the computer was a little difficult at first. My scores ranged from 35-80%.<br /><br />2) I joined the Minority Legal Educational Resource (MLER) program. This program is very reasonably priced ($200 or $250 depending on how late you register) and is NOT just for minorities. Yes, that's right. Anyone can join MLER and many non-minorities do! <br />- The greatest thing about this program was the sense of community that forms because of small group sessions and the opportunity to get real help based on your individual struggles with the bar exam. The program was also wonderful at fleshing out the amount and type of studying that needs to be done for a complete preparation for the IL Bar. <br />- The program focuses on essays mostly and does a fantastic job breaking down the step by step organization of the bar exam essays.<br /><br />3) I made a study buddy. This helped me stay on track and keep motivated. Very highly recommended! We didn't always study together, but we asked each other questions about points of law that were confusing or called each other to talk about some new nuanced points we discovered.<br /><br />As for the Barbri books, I used the essay book the most to highlight points of law and made flashcards from those. I also did the advanced drills timed on all the subjects. I hadn't used the essay book much last time and I realized that you can't familiarize yourself with the essay writing style unless you read a lot of the sample essay questions and answers and become very familiar with the format of answering them.<br /><br />What I should have done more of: I knew that the MBE topics were being tested as essays this time, but I did not adequately prepare for that. I think it is important to prepare to be tested in essay format on the major issues in each of the MBE topics.<br /><br />I also made sure I got plenty of rest each day before the exam.<br /><br />THE ACTUAL EXAM EXPERIENCE<br /><br />This year, we were not allowed to bring a timer, so I took a large watch with me. This was essential because for the first couple of hours, no clock was visible in the room. The proctors then managed to make a clock available for the test takers.<br />I tried to be very meticulous about time. If I went over the time on an essay I tried to catch up immediately. This was very difficult to do and I did end up winging a full essay.<br /><br />For the MBEs, I made marks on the question sheet of the place where I should be every half hour and kept very close to that time. Every minute was essential and I know that if I had relaxed on the time requirement, I would have missed several questions like last time. I ended up changing 4-5 of the answers in the morning session, but did not have time in the afternoon.<br /><br />I guess in April I will find out whether my preparation was adequate. Stay tuned if you want to find out. Next weekend, I will post a big update on my job search.A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412459423547597768.post-37542744231448252142007-12-28T22:20:00.000-08:002008-01-03T16:16:03.332-08:00An UPDATE - Job search, interviews, bar exam studying, etc.Hello,<br />I know that I have not posted in a long time. There are many things to talk about now. As you all know, not passing the bar exam the first time has set me back many months, and I have struggled to find a job. Well, I tried many things. I did targeted mailings to all firms that fit my interests, I applied to all jobs posted on my college's job search site, searched for jobs on various job boards, and I sort of tried to network.<br /><br />My targeted mailing produced very few results and mostly rejection letters. I did get a couple of calls. Now what was strange about these calls were that they were not calls to schedule interviews as I had anticipated, but they were interviewing me right there on the spot! The first firm called me when I was at the gym. The second while I was in the middle of a movie after 7 pm. Without any regards to my time or current condition, the potential employers went on to question me on what they thought was important. Unfortunately for both of us, they did not get a good idea about me from the phone conversation and I did not land the in-person interview. <br /><br />The people at the career office at my law school were unaware of these phone-interviewing tactics and suggested that the next time it happens, make an excuse to reschedule the phone conversation. Great idea! But I haven't had any calls since then. Meanwhile, the rejection letters continue coming in. <br /><br />So to the others who are in my position, be warned about these on the spot phone interviews and reschedule or prepare ahead. To the employers who try these phone interview tactics, you are wasting your time if you think you will get to know and judge a candidate like this. Get some manners and respect our time.<br /><br />Regarding bar exam preparation. I decided to get the Micromash program for bar exam review. So far so good, but I have a lot more questions to do. I think this is a good back-up preparation and I hope that my results will show that.<br /><br />Also, a word about Legal Authority or LegalAuthority. I used their services to send out the targeted letters. The good part is, they do a lot of the work for you and they are legit. The bad part is that they are not really available to give you the career advice and stuff that they promise. My LegalAuthority counselor rarely ever returned calls or emails. The addresses they gave me were riddled with errors and outdated firm names and address information. They also included patent law firms in the search, which is a waste of money and time because I am not qualified to take the patent bar. <br /><br />I ran a quick search on the internet before signing up for Legal Authority and I am sad to say that I found very little information other than on their own website's testimonials. So for the people who are in my position and who are willing to do anything to find a decent law job, there are few options and the more information we can share with each other, the easier it will be.<br /><br />Good Luck!A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412459423547597768.post-21270879399407249052007-10-18T18:45:00.000-07:002007-10-18T18:50:42.993-07:00Job Search Without a Law License...I mentioned last time that I failed the Illinois bar. Well, it is not the agony of re-taking the bar exam that is the most frustrating part of it all. It is the question of what to do in the meantime? I will start my loan repayment soon and I cannot even find a law clerk position anywhere!<br /><br />So I sent out resumes to firms who posted a wanted for law clerks on the school website, and received 1 interview. WooHoo! I was excited to even get one. But the interview (two days ago) lasted only 15 mins and the big question was, "You probably won't be around after February, will you?"....Well....I'm not sure whether they wanted to hire me full time, but I doubt it. Of course, I won't be a law-clerk if I pass the Feb bar! Or at least I hope it doesn't come down to that.<br /><br />So my question to all of you is, What does someone with a JD and no license do? What should I do other than stay at home and study and hope for better luck next time?A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412459423547597768.post-4539336155242360132007-10-08T17:37:00.000-07:002007-10-09T16:58:22.741-07:00Reality of Failing....the (Illinois) Bar Exam!So till now I kept on wondering what should I write about and how should I shape this blog. Should this blog be limited to the general topic of women or about me? The reality is that I am a woman and any blog about me is a blog about reality of women, or at least <span style="font-style: italic;">woman</span>.<br /><br />The first question is: Who am I?<br />Answer...without disclosing my name and personally identifying details, I should say that I am a South-Asian (Indian) woman who has studied all my life so far and finally put myself through law school while juggling with an emotionally charged new marriage. My career was about to launch right after I passed Illinois bar...but I failed.<br /><br />I don't know how to describe the agony of the more than two month wait that led to finding out that I was 9 points short of passing. This was first time that I failed any exam. The reason for my failure could be different depending on where I dissect it. On the bar exam day, I mis-bubbled some answers and erasing lost time, which resulted in not finishing an MBE section on time. But prior to that, I joined BarBri and studied a couple of hours a day. I must say that I was not beaming with confidence on the day of the Bar. I have managed to regain my positivity about the upcoming retake because I can study more and how much I study is something I can control.<br /><br />While I yahooed blogs for moral support, I found a significant lacking in people who openly came out and admitted to having failed the bar exam and its aftermath. I suppose this struggle applies to both men and women who have failed the bar exam or any exam that matters. I don't know how else to help rather than to say, you are not alone! For now, I'm going to focus on the things that I can control and move on with life and career.<br /><br />Wish you all success in whatever you wish to accomplish in your life.<br />Till next time...A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412459423547597768.post-84373332167541301512007-05-01T00:15:00.000-07:002007-05-01T00:30:54.685-07:00Hindi Blog!I just thought I'd post a poem I'd written in Hindi.<br /><br />हम जानते है सीर्फ़ नाम<br />लेकीन आशा है के करे पहचान<br />अज्न्भी है पर दोस्ती मे क्या है हर्ज़<br />फीर मुलाकात हो ना हो खुदा की मरजी<br />पर बुलाना तो है फ़र्ज़<br /><br />I don't know if this is proper hindi or not since it is written using this program, but hopefully those of you who read hindi can understand the poem!A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412459423547597768.post-7243649033323505222007-04-30T23:44:00.000-07:002007-04-30T23:59:47.034-07:00About this blogThis blog is a tribute to the modern woman. <br /><br />Women have, throughout history, have walked miles to obtain every inch of their freedom and recognition. The struggle has not ended. Women, all across the globe, still struggle and still fight for freedom inch by inch. So what has changed? Well, some of us have a greater access to education and with it comes the freedom of thought. We live in a world where the law increasingly recognizes the two sexes as equal. But the reality has not yet merged with the ideology of equality. So consequently, we are taught a vision of equality but still face unequal treatment. <br /><br />Today the US has a Madam speaker, but not yet a female President. Hillary hopes to change that...moving women another inch forward if she succeeds. But what about those women who face the reality of domestic violence, dowry, forced marriages, unequal treatment after the marriage, lack of job opportunities, sexual harassment, and lack of freedom in daily activities that never gets counted in any known statistic? With the vision of equality, today's modern woman can't help but notice every small bit of unequal treatment. She has to now handle the kids, her job, the family, social relationships, and more. She has to appear feminine but compete in a job market dominated by men. She has to endure pregnancy, but endure hardship being considered seriously at work. The modern woman faces just as many struggles as the women did in the past, and perhaps more struggles due to the ever increasing demands and rosy vision brought to her. <br /><br />So this blog is a tribute to the modern woman. A tribute to every inch of freedom she has achieved and all the inches for which she still struggles. Let us be proud of ourselves and acknowledge our accomplishments.A Modern Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699437937928379001noreply@blogger.com1