Thursday, August 5, 2010

Updates

 Here's what's new:

1) I'm officially signed up with the temp agency mentioned in previous posts.  Hopefully, some part time stuff will come my way.

2) My dad found a firm that is hiring in Small Town, IL.  Not exactly a dream come true, but possibly better than this nightmare.

3) I'm starting the process of getting licensed in federal court.  I've been told I should do that.

4) I'm borrowing my firm's Sullivan's to send my resume out to some solo practitioners in the area (per Gus' suggestion).  Not like my other mass mailings have done any good, but I might as well try.

5) My old martial arts instructor keeps asking me to move back to my home town and teach for him.  It's pretty tempting right about now.

3 comments:

  1. I would seriously pursue that firm hiring in small town IL. It could be a great opportunity and you will be actually practicing law. We all can't be big time lawyers in Chicago and, for one reason or another, it's just not in cards for some people.

    With that said, I know a number of attorneys who practice in "small towns." A lot of them do quite well for themselves (and the name partners do extremely well, like Biglaw partner well). To give an example, I know an attorney who went to work for a small firm in a county far outside of Chicago. He used this opportunity to really shine, and in the process, really impressed one of the firm's clients, which happens to be one of the biggest construction companies in northern Illinois. He got offered an in-house job with them, is now deputy general counsel, and makes a six-figure salary while working 40 hours a week. And oh yeah, he doesn't have to worry about billable hours.

    You never know what future possibilities might arise out of unexpected opportunities. Given where you are at, and that you are not happy with your job, what do you have to lose?

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  2. D:

    I fully agree with anonymous above. Pursue the small town law job. I would just look at one point differently. Being in Chicago doesn't per se make you a big time lawyer. Most lawyers in Chicago practice regular law (PI, divorce, real estate etc.) just as most lawyers in the suburbs and exurbs do.

    The most important things to get are:
    1. Experience in some area(s) of law.
    2. Money to pay the bills.
    3. Get to know a network of lawyers that will be beneficial later.
    4. Get back you self esteem. When I was an unemployed new grad, I got so depressed that in hindsight, I failed to pursue opportunities that were staring me in the face.

    Make sure the job will actually teach you something about law; unlike your current job. I suspect that it will. Small town firms have to deal with people's problems and generally cover the basic practice areas.

    Once you get experience, you can easily move back and practice law in the city.

    Gus

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  3. I tend to agree with all of the points mentioned above. There are a few factors keeping me in Chicago, but 1) experience, 2) money, 3) self-worth, and 4) getting out of this firm, will drive me to a small town if it comes to it.

    My dad is still trying to get more info, but, obviously, I'll keep everyone posted if anything happens.

    ReplyDelete

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