What Would You Be Doing If You Hadn’t Started A Law Firm?
As most of my readers know, I started my law firm twelve years ago, after five years of practicing as an energy attorney, first for the government and then as an associate with a boutique practice. My firm unceremoniously gave me notice and six months to find a new job, saying that I wasn’t partnership material…and that’s how I came to start my firm.
I think if I hadn’t started my own firm, I probably would have wound up leaving the law or taking a dead end job in government. At the time I lost my job (in late 1992), the economy was in recession and law firms weren’t hiring much. As a result, when I learned that I was losing my job, I wasn’t able to find other employment or even temp work (back in those days, the ginormous document review project that keep unemployed associates busy now weren’t very common). So my guess is that had I not started my firm, I’d have kept trying for government jobs until maybe one came through – or might have tried getting pregnant sooner, had kids and left the law entirely. And after my kids were older, I probably would have changed careers, maybe going to nursing school like one of my sisters (still one of my goals).
Of course, that’s not what happened. I did start my own firm after all, which lead to me becoming an offshore renewables legal expert and
arguing cases before federal appellate courts and juries. And
starting a firm lead to me to the idea for MyShingle and discovering
blogging, which lead to meeting and befriending other lawyers all over
the country who are so full of passion and energy and creativity that
they inspire me to new heights instead of making me content with a
mediocre job.
But that’s just me. Here’s what I want to know from you: what would you be doing if you hadn’t started a law firm? So let me know, either in your own blog post or comments below or email (elefant@myshingle.com).
Carolyn,
I just wanted to thank you for your comment to my new blog [http://solowannabee.blogspot.com/] – I never believed anyone would come across it – much less you (I kind of gush what a big fan I am in my next post – I’ve been reading your blog for at least a year). Anyway, I loved the article and I can’t wait to read the comments to this topic. Thanks for the inspiration!
Kris
Carolyn,
I just wanted to thank you for your comment to my new blog [http://solowannabee.blogspot.com/] – I never believed anyone would come across it – much less you (I kind of gush what a big fan I am in my next post – I’ve been reading your blog for at least a year). Anyway, I loved the article and I can’t wait to read the comments to this topic. Thanks for the inspiration!
Kris
BigLaw as Scrooge, associates as Bob Cratchit, Bruce MacEwen as Carol Kane and Carolyn Elefant as Tiny Tim
Hey 3Ls and junior associates, prepare to cut the tips off your gloves and to live like Bob Cratchit in 2006. Because if you’re working for an AmLaw 200 firm, you’re likely getting Scrooged. Here’s what I’m on about: Bruce
BigLaw as Scrooge, associates as Bob Cratchit, Bruce MacEwen as Carol Kane and Carolyn Elefant as Tiny Tim
Hey 3Ls and junior associates, prepare to cut the tips off your gloves and to live like Bob Cratchit in 2006. Because if you’re working for an AmLaw 200 firm, you’re likely getting Scrooged. Here’s what I’m on about: Bruce
BigLaw as Scrooge, associates as Bob Cratchit, Bruce MacEwen as Carol Kane and Carolyn Elefant as Tiny Tim
Hey 3Ls and junior associates, prepare to cut the tips off your gloves a la Bob Cratchit in 2006. Because if you’re working for an AmLaw 200 firm, you’re likely getting Scrooged. Here’s what I’m on about: Bruce MacEwen’s review
BigLaw as Scrooge, associates as Bob Cratchit, Bruce MacEwen as Carol Kane and Carolyn Elefant as Tiny Tim
Hey 3Ls and junior associates, prepare to cut the tips off your gloves a la Bob Cratchit in 2006. Because if you’re working for an AmLaw 200 firm, you’re likely getting Scrooged. Here’s what I’m on about: Bruce MacEwen’s review