MyShingle Round Up News
You’ve probably noticed my postings have been light as of late. For better or worse, I have just been so, so busy with all kinds of projects – many that involve quite a bit of writing – so that I have not been able to make the time for MyShingle. I believe that the weight should lift soon and I’ll be back here, stronger than ever. In addition, I’m aware that many of my e-books and recordings are not accessible and I’m working to get this fixed. BTW, if you’re a student or new grad who wants to do some work for the site for low pay (around $15/hr) please drop me a note at elefant@myshingle.com
This week’s issue of The Xemplar is up and running, with Don Thompson, Rochester, New York criminal defense lawyer as our feature. Don explains that a mentor propelled him down the path of solo practice, so I’ve written a related-themed piece about The Mentor at the Center of A Successful Legal Career. My piece discusses how mentors can help new solos and more importantly, why all lawyers should think about mentoring the next generation.
Last month, I participated as a judge in a contest sponsored by LEXIS, featuring a full blown marketing makeover as the prize. Out of 74 entrants, the panel (which included fellow bloggers David Lat and Larry Bodine, we chose a small, St. Louis based firm of Case, Rajnoha and Boudreau as our winners. The firm is comprised of three generations of lawyers: a 70 year old founder, a second partner who started her career at the firm 20 years ago as a legal secretary, then returned to school for a paralegal degree and eventually a law degree and Meg Boudreaux, the youngest partner, just 18 months out of law school. Like many firms caught between old and new, Case, Rainoha and Boudreau is on the cusp of transition between the old generation and new – though here, both generations support and respect each other (at the winner’s dinner that I attended, Meg Boudreau talked about how Joel Case, the senior partner and founder walked her through preparation for her first trial, and how both Joel and Sally Rajnoha, had trusted Meg enough to make her a partner so quickly out of school).
Finally, I’m returning to American University’s Washington College of Law on February 15 for a lunchtime talk on starting a law practice. This will be my fourth time back to the law school for this talk, and it’s something that I really enjoy.