Associates
Associate Quits O’Melveny & Myers to Volunteer Full-Time for Obama
Posted Sep 3, 2008 6:29 AM CST
By Debra Cassens Weiss
Lee Fink had worked for O'Melveny & Myers in Los Angeles for seven years as a litigation associate when he quit his job in June to spend 12-hour days volunteering for Barack Obama.
Fink has rented out his house and traveled to Denver, living off his savings and renting a room from a friend so he can work on policy issues and the senior vote, the Daily Journal reports (sub. req.).
"I couldn't just sit on the sidelines," Fink told the publication. "I haven't come across a candidate before that made me feel that the ideals they believe in can be implemented."
He grew up in a household inspired by politics and began helping his parents volunteer for Democratic causes from the age of 8. He ran for the Redondo Beach City Council in 2005 but lost the election, despite his catchy slogan, “Think Fink.”
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Comments
Adrienne
Sep 3, 2008 8:41 AM CST
That’s so awesome- go Fink!
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been there done that
Sep 3, 2008 10:51 AM CST
well at least he didn’t defect to Milberg, Coughlin, or Robbins
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J.D.
Sep 3, 2008 12:10 PM CST
How’s this guy going to feel if Obama loses?
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obamasforlosers
Sep 5, 2008 6:48 AM CST
I hope they will give him his old job back in a couple of months.
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Alan
Sep 5, 2008 6:50 AM CST
“I haven’t come across a candidate before that made me feel that the ideals they believe in can be implemented.”
Implemented huh? I don’t think Obama has one idea that has any substance. “Hope” and “change” are means, not ends.
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J. Northrop
Sep 5, 2008 6:56 AM CST
That is awesome Fink. If I could replicate my job in a swing state I would join you out there full time. As it is, I have dedicated about 90% of my vacation time to volunteering for the Obama campaign. I’ll be in Colorado doing Voter Protection for the General, see you at the polls. Also, my Mama for Obama would happily feed you home cooked meals, if you get a hankering for some Obama family time.
Barack & Protect the Vote
Obama ‘08 & ‘12
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Notahater
Sep 5, 2008 7:05 AM CST
Now…now. Let’s not criticize someone for being passionate about a candidate and a set of ideals. Besides, look at all of the press Mr. Fink has (and will) received . He should not have much trouble landing a job whether Senator Obama wins or loses.
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brad
Sep 5, 2008 7:43 AM CST
A 7 yera associate quits to work for Obama?
Sounds like someone got passed up for partnership and is trying to spin the rejection.
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Hmmm
Sep 5, 2008 7:51 AM CST
This is one of the top legal stories of the week?
Kind of like the Sarah Palin story down below? No fun for the ABA sitting on the sidelines in the election.
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Idaho Attorney
Sep 5, 2008 8:29 AM CST
I was wondering when the ABA would begin weighing in on the election. Wait no longer.
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Eric
Sep 5, 2008 8:45 AM CST
Who picks this stuff? Why is this news that I can use? Does the ABA Journal now wish to become a political periodical that reports on lawyers as politicians? Why not pair this story with a lawyer active in the McCain campaign—I am certain that they exist. . . . interesting choices ABA, interesting.
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Andy the Lawyer
Sep 5, 2008 9:22 AM CST
Responding to # 11—Let us know when someone quits his or her job at a prestigious law firm to go work for the Geezer and the MILF. I’m sure the ABA will report it.
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Barack Hussein
Sep 5, 2008 9:28 AM CST
“I haven’t come across a candidate before that made me feel that the ideals they believe in can be implemented.”
It must be hard to have such erroneous feelings. The Obie and Joe show won’t have much success.
Vote Gridlock/Standstill ‘08!
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DJ Jazzy Jeff
Sep 5, 2008 11:16 AM CST
Please don’t tell me you’re a lawyer, “Barak Hussein”. That would be a shame indeed.
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Jfred
Sep 5, 2008 12:01 PM CST
How’s this guy going to feel if Obama loses?—-He will feel GREAT for giving his all and for trying to make a positive difference.
Oh…DJ Jazzy Jeff….I bet Barack Hussein is a lawyer…just shows how low the bar has gotten. Its not about make a positive contribution….to many in it just for the $$$$!!
#11—Its news because it proves that there are still some members of the bar that want to get involved….politics is law in so many ways! And if someone did leave a prestigious law firm (what ever that means) to go work for Geezer and MILF….well I think that would be relevant as well!
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Andy the Lawyer
Sep 5, 2008 12:09 PM CST
I don’t understand McCain enthusiasts who think that middle names of political candidates matter. If they did, Obama would be even further out front. “Hussein” was a gallant warrior whose life exemplified the same personal traits of courage and nobility that McCain claims for himself. His death in battle is mourned annually by humdreds of millions worldwide.
“Sidney,” on the other hand, is the kid you used to beat up in middle school for his lunch money.
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Jade
Sep 5, 2008 12:22 PM CST
Alan, isn’t hope a means and change and end? I think change can be an end…
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RS
Sep 5, 2008 1:02 PM CST
“geezer and MILF” - What if someone made similar discriminatory comments about Obama, I imagine #12 and #15 would have a fit.
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AM
Sep 5, 2008 1:18 PM CST
I think it’s a great idea, regardless of who the candidate is. So many people sit on the sidelines and complain.
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Ellen Barshevsky
Sep 5, 2008 3:32 PM CST
I haven’t decided on who I will vote for. On the one hand, Obama sleighted Hillary, and on the other hand McKain selected a woman. I am not sure if I would like the woman as president, if, God Forbid, anything should ever happen to McKain. On the other hand, I really don’t know enough about Obama or Biden. It may be a good idea if the ABA did a matrix, explaining to us all of the issues and the positions of the candidates. Also, I am not sure the woman McKain selected should insist that her daughter marry the boy who is the father of their child. My boyfriend thinks the boyfriend will be better off now, but I am not sure the girl needs this guy. I think she is only 17 and that’s not old enough to vote.
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gobacktoporn
Sep 5, 2008 5:49 PM CST
#12 Andy the lawyer. Disgusting. Sadly, there are many male attorneys who use the word MILF on a regular basis. Mother I’d LIke to F***. Wow, what a class act you are. I hope you get disbarred because you let that word slip in Court. You’re disgusting to use a word like that on a classy website. Why don’t you go back to your PORN sites where they use that word frequently.
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Andy the Lawyer
Sep 5, 2008 5:57 PM CST
Goback: Thank you for confirming that the term, as used, was accurate.
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George Sly
Sep 6, 2008 11:07 AM CST
In response to No.9, the story has merit to the extent it shows an attorney who’s willing to take risks for a cause he believes in, whether or not, one believes in that cause. It would have merit if Mr. Fink had chosen to volunteer for Senator McCain. Mr. Fink deserves our respect, if not our agreement.
Some of the comments above are to put it bluntly juvenile and offensive, made by people who lack the courage to sign their names. This is not a chat room, this is the comments secton of a professional website and the rules should be the same as for a letter to the editor. If you are a professional act like it.
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Tom Ferguson
Sep 6, 2008 8:39 PM CST
Think Fink was too catchy of a slogan for its own good. Do not forget that “fink” was a derogatory appellation not too many decades ago! Think fresh start, know that our beloved Justice Stevens, at 84, is waiting for this, and do everything in your power to cause the election of this Obama-Biden ticket! Godspeed!!!
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Tom Ferguson
Sep 6, 2008 8:51 PM CST
Forgive me, as of April 20th, JUSTICE STEVENS TURNED 88 YEARS OLD!!! After watching the Republican National Convention, and noing what I know about the opportunistic pig they have nominated, much less the embodiment of the Handmaid’s Tale that would do such great violence to the federal judiciary when he dies, there is nothing more important than electing Barrack Obama as the President of the United States!
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