Archive for May 2007
You know what…this judge WAS a few fries shy of a Happy Meal
Ever since I’ve started my site, I’ve blogged about situations where, in my view, judges have gone way over the line in sanctioning attorneys for conduct, such as sending a lawyer to jail for refusing to apologize or showing up late for a hearing. But typically, these sanctions have issued against solo and small firm…
Read MoreThe Unbearable Weightiness of Bar Sanctions on Solos
One aspect of solo practice that’s commonly overlooked is the impact that a suspension can have on a solo’s career. Over at Legal Profession Blog, Mike Frisch notes that even a bar suspension of a short duration can kill a solo’s practice because he or she may not have colleagues who can assume control of…
Read MoreAre ethics rules biased against solos? Call me a conspiracy theorist if you want, but there’s proof….
Back in 2003, I wrote a post (not presently available online) entitled the Bar’s Dirty Little Not So Secret Secret. The article highlighted how most bars’ disciplinary systems disproportionally target solos, when there’s plenty of incompetence to go around. But there’s a problem far worse than disparate enforcement – and that’s disparate impact, i.e., where…
Read MoreFind Out If Someone is Really A Lawyer
These days, most bar associations make information about a lawyer’s bar membership publicly accessible, so that consumers can ensure that the lawyer they’ve retained is actually licensed to practice. But these bar data bases are important for lawyers. For example, perhaps you’re suspicious that your opposing counsel isn’t licensed in the court where he’s filed…
Read MoreFor All DC Area Attorneys and New Law Grads: DC Bar Event re: Contract Lawyering
Contract Lawyering and Outsourcing: Career Options Start: May 24, 2007 Thursday 12:00 PM End: May 24, 2007 Thursday 1:30 PM Description D.C. Bar Law Practice Management Section; Courts, Lawyers and the Administration of Justice Section; Corporation, Finance and Securities Law Section; Government Contracts and Litigation Section; Administrative Law and Agency Practice Section; Health Law Section;…
Read MoreDo Something You Stink At…And Become A Better Lawyer
Yesterday, I spent a beautiful Saturday outdoors, helping to build a house with Habitat for Humanity as part of an Energy Bar Association pro bono service project. I have to admit that I didn’t seek this project out: my decision to participate was a spur of the moment response to an email that came through…
Read MoreSeventh Circuit and Wikis
The Seventh Circuit just introduced a really neat tool that I posted on at Legal Blogwatch: a wiki that judges and practitioners can update with helpful tips and advice on court practice. The wiki will help Seventh Circuit newbies, but as I wrote at Blogwatch, more experienced lawyers can use the wiki for marketing. Let’s…
Read MoreWill be resuming posting shortly
Readers, I just looked at the date of my last post, and I can’t believe that I’ve gone a week without posting. This is a busy time with work still coming in. And I’m polishing up the final draft of my book which should be out by the end of the year. The book has…
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