Careers

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

Ex-Radical Now a Law Prof and a Campaign Issue

Bernadine Dohrn, a former member of the Weather Underground, is now a law professor at Northwestern University with an expertise in children’s law. Her husband, former Underground member Bill Ayers, has also joined the mainstream as an advocate of school reform who is an informal adviser to Chicago Mayor Richard…

Apr 18, 2008 4:14 PM CDT

In Diversity Effort, Utilities Beef Up Summer Associate Programs

Some energy companies are helping law students get critical experience with expanded summer associate programs. Pacific Gas & Electric Co.’s legal department is expanding its summer program from four weeks to eight, the Recorder (sub. req.) reports. It targets students who have demonstrated a commitment to diversity. Four students will…

Apr 18, 2008 3:00 PM CDT

Most GCs Happy With Job, Many Looking to Hire In-House Counsel

Despite headaches created by increased corporate compliance requirements and tension with outside auditors, the vast majority of lawyers at the helm of corporate legal departments are happy with their jobs. Some 85 percent of the nation’s chief legal officers and general counsels say their careers are rewarding, according to an…

Apr 17, 2008 8:24 PM CDT

Would-Be Legal Secretary is Now Partner

Amy Walpole’s typing skills were not the greatest. But that’s no longer an issue for the would-be legal secretary. The United Kingdom law firm at which she initially sought a staff position after returning home to her native Norwich in 2002 has helped her to earn a law license and…

Apr 17, 2008 3:53 PM CDT

GCs Take Career Hit in Backdating Scandals

General counsel at 14 Silicon Valley companies have seen their careers slide under the taint of backdating scandals. The Recorder (sub. req.) investigated the fate of general counsel at 39 Silicon Valley companies that restated financial results because of backdating. Four of them faced government charges, and 10 more either…

Apr 17, 2008 2:59 PM CDT

A Lawyer Finds Office Casual Is Still Rather Dressy

Office casual can be confusing enough. It can be even more difficult—and costly—for lawyers who change jobs and find themselves in a different fashion culture. One lawyer who noted the changing office environments is Neonu Jewell, now an export compliance counsel with Accenture in Chicago. She told the Wall Street…

Apr 17, 2008 1:28 PM CDT

Skadden Primes Minority Pipeline with $9.6M Program

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom is celebrating its 60th anniversary by funding a $9.6 million honors program designed to encourage minority students at the City College of New York to become lawyers. The two-year honors program involves course work that complements the school’s undergraduate majors, the New York Law…

Apr 16, 2008 5:06 PM CDT

Energy Lawyers Courted in Bidding Wars

A legal recruiter in Houston says energy lawyers are in big demand and short supply. Susan Pye was an energy lawyer herself before she became a recruiter and started her own firm. She told the Houston Chronicle that a lot of energy lawyers got out of the practice area after…

Apr 16, 2008 4:50 PM CDT