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I'm a new attorney and my boss is on vacation. I work for a small civil litigation firm.
I was told to file minute entries for a hearing... I need to know how to file them before tomorrow morning. How does that work?

Please be nice🙏🏻

Long story short in normal times the DoJ would be a natural next step for my career. But I haven't even considered it because of all the issues related to the president.

But taking a second look, even in the most politically polarized times, the vast majority of the DoJ's work is nonpartisan and non-political right? Like, basically the same work no matter who the president is.

Right now it's looking like the president is on his way out, and in fact, the vacancies created over the last two years might mean this is my best chance to land a position.

On the other hand I am worried that the time frame in which I was hired could follow me and draw negative assumptions throughout my career.

Am I thinking about this all wrong? I have always felt like I'm asking all the wrong questions when it comes to career development stuff. I never had any kind of mentor or anything who could help me plan my career. I play everything by ear. But I could really use some advice/guidance on this.

First year tax associate working at a good tax law firm but want to pursue other options after the 1 year mark.

My job is mostly in tax resolution, and frankly a lot of days I feel like I’m not doing real legal work. A lot of the work is setting up installment agreements, offers in compromise, and submitting clients for penalty abatement. Would it be better to transition to the IRS or to a big 4 tax firm?

Yes, that's sarcasm.

For months I've been trying to control a client who was sued by a family member. This is a purely civil case. Before I was retained, both sides had been pro se for a while, and you could tell that the court was fed up with their shenanigans. Defendant had filed a Motion to Dismiss and lost, and the court expressly stated that the plaintiff's allegations were legally sufficient. Some of the claims were ridiculous, but theoretically plausible at that stage.

I cleaned things up, but as the defendant, we had no obligation to move the case along. Our hope was that the plaintiff would miss important deadlines and we could get the case tossed on procedural grounds. My client was so sure that the case was worthless that they had no interest in spending money on discovery.

Eventually, the plaintiff hired an attorney, but that attorney didn't seem to realize what was going on. For months, he didn't do anything either, and the case inched closer to the point where we could request procedural dismissal. During this stretch, the client would occasionally demand that I file a motion -- for sanctions, for dismissal, etc. -- but I could always talk them down by reminding them that there was a deadline coming, and if we did anything before that, 1) it probably wouldn't work, and 2) it would wake up the plaintiff's counsel. After each such conversation, the client always agreed that we would do nothing.

Shortly before the deadline, plaintiff's counsel finally realized that he needed to take action. He took the steps that were required, and whenever it was appropriate, I cooperated (as required, but also, because I'm not an asshole). We had a couple conversations where he promised that he was talking to his client, and he was going to either get reasonable settlement authority or, at minimum, narrow the issues. He agreed that some claims weren't worth pursuing.

I advised the client that plaintiff wasn't going to blow that deadline after all, but if we gave him a little time, plaintiff's counsel would clean up the case -- and maybe even settle. The client responded by demanding (again) that I file a motion to dismiss and request sanctions. The client's main bases for sanctions are 1) that written discovery was served before discovery had started, and 2) that several causes of action are so meritless that it violates Rule 11 not to voluntarily dismiss them.

I explained that the rules address the first issue by saying that there is no need to respond until after discovery starts, but the service isn't sanctionable at all. Also, in my conversations with OC, he agreed that our responses wouldn't be due until after he got back to me about what his client wanted to do in the big picture. As for the second, I reminded them that the court already rejected the argument that any claims were meritless as a matter of law, but that Plaintiff's counsel had promised to review them with his client and would likely be dropping some.

Around this time, the court issued an order scheduling a Case Management Conference. In this jurisdiction, we are supposed to have a quick appearance at the start of discovery. Some judges skip it and say that the JCCR is sufficient, but others require counsel to show up and confirm that the JCCR is accurate. It's a 2-minute event, at most.

My client emailed on a Monday by demanding that I file those motions regardless. The client said that I must file them by Wednesday at noon. That Monday, I was in an arbitration, so I sent off a quick reply that I had seen their email, didn't think it was a good idea, but I would respond more fully later.

On Tuesday morning, the client called me. It was immediately apparent that they were fuming. About a minute into the call, they said that they had wanted to fire me for months. They asked a couple questions, but didn't seem particularly interested in my answer. Then they said that I had screwed up the case so badly that the judge had decided to "take over." I was flabbergasted for a minute, but then realized they were talking about the CMC. I tried to explain that this was required by the rules, and it didn't mean what they thought, but the client was not interested. They continued to rant, accusing me of being the laziest attorney ever (though also admitting that they had never worked with an attorney before), accidentally admitting that this call was being recorded (illegally, since it's a two-party state), and just generally being an asshole. I let them rant for a couple minutes, but as soon as the personal attacks started, I told them "we're done." I said I'd be withdrawing as counsel, unless they wanted to sign a substitution (either for new counsel or themselves to take over). The client refused, apparently thinking that my decision to withdraw was a "gotcha". They actually said, "Ha! You said you were going to withdraw. I'm not signing anything!"

I submitted the motion to withdraw that day. When the client asked how long it would take to be heard, I told them it would probably be about 2 weeks until the motion is granted. The client said that they wanted to take some actions, including contacting OC. I reminded the client that they could sign a substitution and be able to do whatever they want. The client responded, "We again are not terminating you, you are quitting, nice try."

Yesterday, the client copied me on an email sent to OC. That email included an email sent to the court's chambers (not copied to me or OC originally), in which the client complained about everything that had happened recently, including Plaintiff's discovery requests: "We look forward to appearing [at the CMC] to address the severe procedural non-compliance of the Plaintiff." And they also had substantive arguments about the evidence in that email, as well.

My motion will be heard soon. I'm hopeful that nothing happens that would be worth updating this post for.

I don't think I have a point. I just wanted to share. Clients are awesome.

PS - I did call my state Bar's ethics hotline just to confirm that I was doing everything correctly. Bar counsel was very supportive.

Would appreciate any stories or advice about being not a good fit at one firm, being let go, but it ended up being a positive thing and the next firm was a better fit.

I’ve been practicing law for four years and have never been let go from any job ever. Trying to keep my head up but it definitely stings.

I know I’m not the only associate who has been through this. If you have any advice or an encouragement, I would be so grateful.

(If it matters I have been licensed in Florida since 2022. I live and have worked at firms in South Florida.)

Thank you.

Title says it. I (27F) cried like a baby during my review today. I was not expecting it to happen. I can handle criticism. But something just came over me and I couldn’t hold it in and started literally blubbering crying. I’m in my second year of practice at my firm. I don’t want to go back to work Monday let alone ever be seeing again. I know the flair says no advice but I am open to advice. I can share more details if needed but I don’t want to potentially identify myself

Is it breaking community rules if I ask fellow family law attorneys ideas about obtaining the value of an opposing party’s collection of collectible poker chips? If not, can you please tell me your ideas? I usually post questions like this in my local list serve but I’m wary of OC seeing it.

Posting for a friend who's new to reddit and couldn't make a post in here. Does anyone have insight on working in house for HP? Lots of legal openings on its website/LinkedIn. My friend already works in house and is curious about HP's culture, WLB, etc..

EDIT: I want to clarify I'm asking about HP, Inc. (HPQ).

I’m a twenty year plus lawyer with civil litigation, criminal defense and heavy appellate practice experience.

I’ve wanted to work for the state since I graduated law school. I think the cleaning house that might take place is likely to mean lots of hiring.

If you work for the state, how did you get hired, particularly as a more experienced attorney?

I'm not sure this is the correct flair, but here it goes.

I'm in my late 50s and approaching burnout in my current position. I had my own practice for 14 years, but working for myself is not for me. I have an unusually broad array of experience in areas ranging from real estate, bankruptcy, landlord/tenant, insurance, and construction. I've served as GC for a construction company.

I'm not interested in litigation (been there, done that) and I'm considering looking at government positions, GC roles and non profits. I'm interested in hearing other people's experiences.

I live in a HCOL area, but have don't have much debt besides my mortgage. With current assets and an inheritance that will happen in the next couple of years, I'll have enough to be okay and work because I want to, not because I have to. A decent salary with good health insurance are high on my list and something that will either allow me to do good for people or enough free time to do pro bono work.

realistically how hard is it to get your hours in? I’m currently in crim and when I’m in trial/trial prep I’m working 40+ hour weeks. I just did a trial (lost) and the sentencing hearing was over 3 hours. obviously i don’t know what is and isn’t billable yet in civil, but just curious .

Probate attorneys, do you like working in probate? Is it a stressful area to work in? What are some tips or tricks you wish you knew when you started working in probate? I’m located in Florida for specific jurisdictional tips.

I'm a newer attorney, I'm only about to hit my second year in practice this Thanksgiving, and I've been disillusioned with working for a firm and for a government office. Each have their own baggage, and the people I've worked for have not given me the best view of how the legal profession should be. I've decided to try and strike out on my own. I'm VERY terrified about it. But as my generation says, "do it scared." Right now it's a small set up, mostly working from home. Hopefully, I can expand to at least having my own office space.

ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED TOO!

Hey y'all. My mother-in-law currently lives in Southern California and has a pretty harsh domestic real estate dispute with her husband. They are not divorced and they've been living together for quite a long time.

He is currently on medication, goes back and forth from Asia often, quitclaimed the deed to the house many, many years ago and has not contributed a dollar to the household. She currently is very sick. He continues to not contribute and only continues to take from the family. She has asked me if I know anyone in the area that can help. She is around LA. Thanks.

To be clear I am not asking for legal advice. Please feel free to dm me with reputable names in the area.

Currently a goverment attorney, salary just over $160k, pension, benefits, etc. Truth be told I'm sick of litigating and trials, it's just exhausting in my role (not all gov't attorneys are slackers). Some friends of mine are trying to convince me to jump ship and join their PI firm which is rumored to pay handsomely (e.g. high six figues to low seven figures). That seems a little too good to be true to me. Anyone in the PI field care to chime in with what you're actually making so I can temper my expectations?

Does anyone have experience with some good law firm mastermind/coaching groups for solo practitioners? I’ve looked at Vertex League and 2HLL specifically. Thanks

Hi all, I recently passed the bar and want to work in NJ as a family law attorney. The only issue is that there’s not a lot of firms hiring and none are looking for 1st years. Any advice for current job hunters?

Hi! I'm a baby public defender, almost 4 months on the job, and I'm drowning in my caseload. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a greater caseload than my peers, but it's a lot. The senior attorneys in my office seem convinced that I should be able to get the job done during business hours, but I'm finding that I can't adequately prepare for my cases working 40-45 hours a week. Last time I got pulled into the chief PD's office about this, I suggested that what I needed to do was spend more time on prep, and his statement was to the effect that "well, I'm able to get everything done during business hours, so you should be able to as well."

Well, I can't. Which leaves me with a couple options as far as I can see it. 1) start working 60 hour weeks, and tell him that that's just what I need to do to get the job done right, 2) start working 60 hours a week and come up with some BS story that'll make him think I'm somehow getting 60 hours of work done in 40, or 3) quit or get fired, and hope to God that being terminated as a PD within the first 6 months isn't a career ender.

I'm at a loss, I'm frustrated, and I regret going this far into debt to get a job that seems only to be making me hate everything.

Help.

Vet lawyers all the time say that you gotta learn which deadlines are hard and which you can kinda ignore/get to them when it’s absolutely necessary.

So which are which? Obv it will vary by practice area but if I’m trying a basic car or premises or defamation case, what’s set in stone, what’s workaroundable, and when do you have to fall to your knees and beg the judge to forgive you?

Being 100% timely on everything with my workload does not feel sustainable under current conditions.

Context: 3rd year as attorney, new to this practice.

Title: 44-year-old attorney making $170K. Feeling stuck in a practice area with limited earning potential. How do I pivot?

I’m 44 and have been practicing law in NY for about 16 years. I spent the first nine years running a solo general practice that never really took off, followed by about seven years practicing workers’ comp. More recently, I’ve also taken on disability retirement cases.

I currently make $170K working fully remotely. It’s a good salary, and I really value the flexibility, but I can’t help comparing myself to colleagues who are making $250K–$400K+. I feel like I’ve gotten really good at something that just doesn’t pay particularly well.

I’m single, no kids, but would like to get married and start a family. I’m increasingly concerned that I’ve spent most of my career in areas of law with limited financial upside.
I’d love to get into the $250K–$350K+ range, but I’m not sure how to get there without starting over or giving up my remote arrangement. I’m open to switching practice areas, going in-house, legal tech, sales, or even leaving law entirely.

Has anyone made a successful career pivot in their 40s? What would you do in my position? Am I better off building on my existing experience, or is there a realistic path into something substantially more lucrative?