Is the Grass Really Greener at Another Law Firm?
According to Linda Katz, a legal recruiter with Pye Legal Group in Houston, law firms have resumed associate lateral hiring following the recession drought. “Lawyers with three to five years of experience are in the greatest demand, although not all practice areas have bounced back yet,” says Katz.
If you are dissatisfied with your current law firm, what kind of information should you gather about a prospective new employer besides the obvious issues of compensation and billable hour requirements? After brainstorming with Katz, I compiled some suggestions. Read more
Post Date: July 12, 2011
Think You’re Underpaid? Get Real Before You Leap
An in-house lawyer (let’s call her Sara) contacted me about helping her design a business plan for starting up her own law firm. I commended Sara’s wisdom in creating a business plan before leaving her corporate job. Surprisingly few lawyers actually do that. She explained that she needed the business plan in order to get a bank to lend her operating capital. While I silently questioned how realistic her expectations were, I asked how much she intended to borrow. She said, “I only need enough to cover my living expenses for a couple of months. Just until the money starts coming in.” Read more
Post Date: June 30, 2011
Debra Bruce Presents “The Power of Active Listening” for NALA
Listening is more than 50 percent of communication, and you must know what to listen for. Learn to ethically manage upset people in intimidating circumstances. Have the conversations that help people open up so they don’t blow up. Improve cooperation and understanding in your workplace, simply through improving your own active listening skills, which you will get to practice in this interactive presentation.
The 36th Annual National Association of Legal Assistants Convention and Exhibition will be held in Plano, TX from July 27th-30th, 2011, at the Marriot Dallas/Plano at Legacy Center. Debra Bruce will be presenting “The Power of Active Listening” at the Closing Presentation on Saturday, July 30th, from 10:45am-12:15pm.
To see accommodations, travel information and to register please go to: http://nala.org/convacc.aspx.
Post Date: June 6, 2011
Blogging Can Make the Difference in a Landing a Law Job
Jack Whittington posted his tips for law students on getting that dream job out of law school at the Solo Practice University Blog. Jack credited blogging and using Twitter and LinkedIn with helping him nab a rare opportunity at a sports law firm. He submitted his resume to the firm as a result of some networking. When he finally got a call to interview, Jack says “the attorney already knew a great deal about me just from reading my blogs and information I had broadcast through social media.” Read here to get Jack’s in-depth story.
Last year I did a little coaching with NYU law student John Strohmeyer as he searched for a job in a tough market. Read more
Post Date: March 1, 2011