Careers

Boalt Beefs Up Calif. Bar Prep After 2007 Pass Rate Dips to 82 Percent

Rattled by a pass rate on the California bar exam among its graduates in July 2007 that dipped to 82 percent, one of the state’s most prestigious law schools is focusing on better preparing its students to succeed on the ticket-punching test. In particular, graduates’ ability to pass the bar…

Apr 25, 2008 4:44 PM CDT

3rd Circuit’s Chief Judge to Chair Federal Courts’ Executive Committee

The chief judge of the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has been tapped to chair the Executive Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States. Judge Anthony Scirica will take over the job May 1, according to a press release. He was appointed by Chief Justice John…

Apr 25, 2008 3:09 PM CDT

London Partners to Associates: At $125K, We’re Paying You Too Much

Although last year was particularly profitable for many major London law firms, corresponding raises for associate-level attorneys aren’t on the radar screen. In fact, while some magic circle firms may up the ante at least a little this year, some partners are complaining that junior lawyers already are overpaid, reports…

Apr 24, 2008 6:13 PM CDT

Meet Gordon Erspamer, VA’s ‘Worst Nightmare’ in PTSD Benefits Case

A busy BigLaw rainmaker who has for nearly 30 years made time to promote the rights of armed services veterans “is a big, unresponsive government agency’s worst nightmare,” a California newspaper says. Gordon Erspamer, a Morrison & Foerster partner who went to trial this week in a federal class action…

Apr 24, 2008 5:43 PM CDT

Pay Cut Prompted a Shearman Office in Mannheim, Germany, to Jump Ship

An across-the-board pay cut estimated at about 10 to 15 percent for all nine partners at Shearman & Sterling’s outpost in Mannheim, Germany, is reportedly what prompted the 30-lawyer office’s recent decision to abandon the mother ship and strike out again on its own. The pay cut, approved last month…

Apr 24, 2008 5:20 PM CDT

Diversity Manager Hiring Rises, But Are They Effective?

Corrected: Last year, 50 percent of law firms had designated diversity managers, and according to a new Altman Weil survey, that number has risen to nearly 60 percent. All 80 firms surveyed now have diversity committees as well. “This year, for the first time, more than half of law firms…

Apr 24, 2008 4:28 PM CDT

Judge, Former ‘Thug’ Who Kicked Whites Out of Courtroom, Teams Up With Bill Cosby

The black Atlanta-area judge who sparked controversy when he asked all whites to leave his courtroom so he could lecture the black defendants last month is partnering with comedian Bill Cosby tonight in an effort to spread their shared message to youth at risk. The pairing of judge/comedian makes sense,…

Apr 24, 2008 2:27 PM CDT

Law Practice Fear Factor: Caging the Tiger

There’s one common denominator among law students and lawyers in virtually any practice area: fear, says a Dallas psychotherapist who provides career coaching to lawyers. So learning to deal effectively with the constant concern that making a major mistake or losing a client or a case could eliminate a lawyer’s…

Apr 23, 2008 4:54 PM CDT

HS Dropout Chooses Law School Over Gangs

Jose Orozco was trying to figure out how to make the jump at his local Jack in the Box from cashier to shift leader, all the while fending off the lure of local gangs, when a an ex-police officer recognized his potential. Kevin LaChapelle, a former police officer and youth…

Apr 21, 2008 5:53 PM CDT

Why Associates Leave is Clear, But What Would Lure Them to Stay?

Associates are leaving in ever-increasing numbers because of grueling hours, boring work and a poisonous law firm culture, experts say. But it isn’t as clear what can be done to lure many to stay on after their first four to five years in practice. In 2000, not quite 60 percent…

Apr 21, 2008 5:41 PM CDT

Law Firm Layoffs Alternative: ‘Cut, Redeploy’

Although there have been well-publicized associate layoffs at a number of law firms recently, many are also thinking “cut, redeploy” and finding a way to shift junior attorneys in lagging practice areas to those where business is boosted by a bad economy. Thus, associates who specialized in private equity a…

Apr 21, 2008 4:20 PM CDT

Womble Partner: Suit-Wearing Lawyers Earn More?

As the big debate over appropriate office attire for a lawyer continues to rage, Womble Carlyle partner Pressly M. Millen decided to weigh in with his own observations of the evolution of attorney dress over the past 25 years and explains why, “My suit is my uniform.” On Wall Street,…

Apr 21, 2008 4:07 PM CDT

37 Yrs Later, Oregon PD Leaving 2-Yr Post

When James Hennings first agreed to help start one of the country’s first not-for-profit law firms to serve defendants who couldn’t afford attorneys, he thought he’d do his part for a couple years, then move on. Only after 37 years is he ready to call it quits, the Oregonian reports.…

Apr 21, 2008 2:55 PM CDT

Fieger’s Dream Team Debuts This Week

The big-name plaintiffs lawyer Jeffry Fieger has called in a couple of other recognizable legal eagles to help defend himself against allegations that he and a partner illegally contributed $127,000 to Democrat John Edwards’ failed 2004 presidential campaign. Representing Fieger will be celebrated Wyoming criminal lawyer Gerry Spence, whose website…

Apr 21, 2008 2:23 PM CDT

Lucky 13? Law Offices Seek Work-Life Balance via Survey

Thirteen London law offices including those of DLA Piper and Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis are participating in a survey by an outside consultant that is intended to help their attorneys achieve a better work-life balance. “Under the scheme, researchers will carry out one-on-one interviews with practice heads and…

Apr 18, 2008 5:28 PM CDT