Wow that's pathetic.

I am stupider for having read this post.

"HLS '06 grad David Otunga, a 2006 graduate of Harvard Law School . . ."

--Brought to you by the Association for Redundancy Foundation

What the hell was that guy thinking, even smart people can be retarded.

Goes to show that just because you got into HLS does not mean you have any common sense. What terrible judgment. Clearly an affirmative action admit who got in at Sidley as a "diversity" chip.

"[...] an HLS grad [...]" Is this correct? Although it doesn't sound as nice, shouldn't it be "a HLS grad?"

That picture looks like an R&B album cover from circa 1995/Smoove B from the "Onion."

Pretty is a student at Mississippi College School of Law (simple Google search reveals that).

11:33--Oooh, you went there . . .

11.33 a.m. unlike you, when someone is a minority at HLS, I do not assume they are "smart." But that's what AA does for you.

If the show was shot last summer, Otunga would have been studying for the bar. Law firm jobs don't typically start until the September after graduation, so this would not have interfered with his employment at Sidley.

11:35--the rule is to write it like you say it, so "an" is correct. See also: the boss's misstress (not The boss' misstress).

Did anyone actually see the show? If so, can you explain if it portrayed Otunga or Sidley in a bad light? Otherwise, this seems like a complete over-reaction.

He was fired for having that thin boy-band goatee. Those aren't allowed in biglaw.

11:38,

If you are going to talk about minorities and their lack of intelligence, then the least you could do is not use the plural pronoun "they" to refer to the singular "someone" or "minority."

what fucking assholes at sidley.

no wonder few of us but the most socially retarded and risk averse actually make it to partner and perpetuate this perverse culture of "company men"

I've had Sidley attorneys on the other side of the table, and I've never found them to be anything but professional, genial, and competent. 11;51 needs to calm the hell down.

Hooray for people ill-qualified not only to attend Harvard, but divine their AA policy.

This guy, "Punk," failed the Illinois bar ... multiple times.

sidley was okay with that chick from The Apprentice a few years back

11:51, "company men"? I believe a woman heads up the very group in question (gen lit) (and a woman also heads Sidley's entire real estate practice).

11:56

You're right. We should credit your anecdotal experience with a few attorneys over the actions of the whole firm.

11:33,

Your ignorance suggests that you're upset that he got into HLS and you didn't? While I admit he made a poor decision (Ms. NY is a skank), that has no bearing on his qualification to get into one of the top law schools and a top law firm. Don't hate, just be happy that there's a new opening at Sidley.

Good to see racism is alive and well at ATL. When a white person who gets into law school because of daddy's money makes a mistake - they're considered a smart person with a lapse in judgment. When a minority who likely has had to struggle against ignorant people to make good grades and get into a good firm makes a mistake - they're considered an Affirmative Action hack who shouldn't have reached where they were in the first place. Amazing - it's 2007.

How could he have failed the bar "multiple times" if (1) he's a 2006 law school graduate and (2) he was admitted to practice in May 2007 (as shown in his ARDC page)?

At most he could have failed the bar once.

So, every time there is an attorney of color will we have to deal with these assinine comments?

Jesus Christ.

also.. "that chick from the Apprentice" is Stacy Rotner. She is in the Pooled Investment Entities practice in Sidley's NY office.

11:45: the general rule is that if you're going to correct someone's grammar using an example, you should at least spell "mistress" correctly.

Affirmative action assume blacks and Hispanics are uniformly stupid. Why else would a rich black kid be eligible for affirmative action?

Barack Obama worked at Sidley. Did he only make it as a diversity chip?

...or women for that matter... (yes, women can be AA admits as well).

12:01 - Jen Massey was with Clifford Chance, not Sidley, and she didn't last long after appearing on The Apprentice.

Obama was editor (or "president") of the HLS Law Review; numerous professors claim he was one of the smartest students ever to enter their classrooms (which is why Sidley sought him out for his 1L summer).

http://www.sidley.com/lawyers/bio.asp?ID=R842276350

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Apprentice_2_candidates#Stacy_Rotner

just curious:
What TTT do you go to? You use 'an' when the following word starts with a vowel sound. Now say HLS out loud...that's right, H starts with a vowel (ach-ell-ess).

Way to learn the rule without understanding the theory behind it. I'm sure you rock at con law.

I sat behind David in contracts -- he always had photos of bodybuilders on his laptop.

Pretty is Juan McCullum from Miss. College School of Law. 2L

He was VP of the SGA at Miss. State.

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071008/NEWS/71008032

Word is he screwed over the Miss. AG's office to go on the show.

instead of this inane TV talk, can we focus on the more interesting part of this post i.e. the partnership lawsuit?

how much more difficult with this make it to make partner?

how will this affect other law firms? how with affect sidley?

Dave is a good friend of mine from Law School. He is probably one of the nicest guys I have ever met. I talked to him recently about wtf he was doing on this show, and he simply expressed that he was having fun. Life is too short. I'm certain many years from now he won't regret having a blast on this ridiculous show regardless of what it means for his legal career. Good for him. I wish I had this balls to do something this wild.

I saw the show last night and Punk did not portray Sidley in a bad light. As a matter of fact, he said that he worked at one of the most prestigious law firms in the nation!

Time to shut it down Lat!

Punk's OFFICAL MySpace

What a tard

Let's face it, we all know that Obama made EIC because of affirmative action. And his grades... please, everyone knows that black students at HLS mark their finals with a B so that they can get a whole extra grade added to their score.
HLS practices affirmative action, but do you really think HLS routinely admits unqualified students? Don't make me go on my admissions rant.

Ok ok, sure he looks terrible and acts like a jerk, but this is pretty awesome. He thought he could make like Hill Harper and get fame the easy way

12:47, I don't see how it will affect partnership prospects. Sidley, and every other firm that wishes to cease paying its underperforming partners (of any age), simply needs (if it hasn't already done so) to revise its governing docs to provide for de-equitization based on criteria free from any mention of age (or any other offending criterion).

How will it affect Sidley? No firm wants to blow $27.5 mil, but I'd bet much of than was paid by insurance. Even if paid out-of-pocket, for a firm grossing over a billion a year, it seems like money well spent in order to put this thing to rest.

Other firms? Any large firm that has a mgmt or an exec committee calling most of the shots on behalf of the partnership will need to be wary of the EEOC (which clearly has nothing better to do than wage battles on behalf of wealthy lawyers!), becuase the partners at such firms are de facto "employees." Weil...Mayer...it's anyone's guess who will be next on the EEOC's hitlist. Maybe it will be my firm...

It is not racist to point out that, because of affirmative action, minorities who graduate from top law schools are - on the whole, and subject to exceptions - generally less qualified than non-minorities (by conventional academic standards).

This is something that numerous African-Americans - e.g., Professor Stephen Carter, Justice Clarence Thomas (both Yale Law graduates) - have pointed out.

This whole situation is a train wreck. You cannot help but stop and stare. Regardless, you all (including me) are making him famous by taking the time to stop, read and post your comments. It may only be "15" minutes of fame, but its more than some of us will ever experience. Like someone stated before, life is too short. Live it up your way, not the way others feel you should. Its between him and God in the end, not him and you. So judge, hate and do whatever it is you do, your just jealous it is not you.

LMAO, did you actually use Justice Clarence Thomas as a legitimate example?!!!!! If you tell me what Colin Powell think about affirmative action, we can talk.

1:10: "your just jealous"

Isn't that what all the morbidly obese black women on Ricki Lake yell when the audience jeers them to replace their ass-shorts and halter tops with something more appropriate? No doubt that's also how they would spell it.

It's fairly astounding to me that every time a person of color is mentioned on this website, numerous idiots feel the need to make ignorant and racist comments. It just proves that racism is alive and well in 2007 and that affirmative action needs to continue!!

thank you for that comment justin. LOL.

*thinks* Shoot, now people are going to slate me as an AA recipienct with my "ebonics." I was just agitated. Oh now, now I'm going to be slated as the angry black woman. I give up.

Have a blessed day! :0)

Anon316,

Have a blessed day! :0)

Wow, it amazes me that so many racists people still exist! Get a life punks and I do mean real punks! You're just jealous because you didn't get in the spot light! Damn, grow the fuck up!

I wonder how all of you (or most) became attorneys in the first place sounding so ignorant. I cannot stand people who act like their shit don’t stink. I’m sure all of you have done something that was considered dumb in someone else’s eyes. David is young, a good looking guy and maybe, just maybe this is something that he wants to do. Why not? He will be fine. He’ll become an actor, model or maybe an attorney some time in the future. Why are you guys worried about David anyway. Worry about your own damn life. Worry about why your wife is cheating on you with your best friend. Worry about your mistress. Try to put more energy into your children, Lord knows you haven’t seen them in months because you shipped them off to boarding school. Try to fix your marriage, your husband hasn’t spoken to you in days. Worry about paying your taxes (IRS is coming for you). Try and figure out why you keep messing up at your job, not contributing to anything in your group, and why you are not receiving any work (there will be another opening soon at Sidley). Get a life!!

I wonder how all of you (or most) became attorneys in the first place sounding so ignorant. I cannot stand people who act like their shit don’t stink. I’m sure all of you have done something that was considered dumb in someone else’s eyes. David is young, a good looking guy and maybe, just maybe this is something that he wants to do. Why not? He will be fine. He’ll become an actor, model or maybe an attorney some time in the future. Why are you guys worried about David anyway. Worry about your own damn life. Worry about why your wife is cheating on you with your best friend. Worry about your mistress. Try to put more energy into your children, Lord knows you haven’t seen them in months because you shipped them off to boarding school. Try to fix your marriage, your husband hasn’t spoken to you in days. Worry about paying your taxes (IRS is coming for you). Try and figure out why you keep messing up at your job, not contributing to anything in your group, and why you are not receiving any work (there will be another opening soon at Sidley). Get a life!!

These comments have convinced me that color-blind admissions and hiring willl definitely work.

"Worry about why your wife is cheating on you with your best friend. Worry about your mistress. Try to put more energy into your children, Lord knows you haven’t seen them in months because you shipped them off to boarding school."

...Or you might end up living in a van, down by the river?

Thanks HLS 06. This is a silly and hilarious show and I'd be surprised if any of the contestants actually went on their looking for true love with Tiffany. It's just a big joke and I'm sure he had fun getting picked and acting nutty. People shouldn't take it so seriously, especially since he doesn't.

How about those white hillbillys on Jerry Springer that sleeps with their sisters and brothers!

I see it's easy to hide behind your computer and type racist comments. Your best friend is probably black. How sad.

"Try to put more energy into your children, Lord knows you haven’t seen them in months because you shipped them off to boarding school."

I seriously doubt that anyone on this board is old enough to have kids in boarding school, but nice try. Next time, just hit "Post" once.

A utopian society wouldn't have lawyers. It should be our goal to have you all eliminated. These comments prove how horrible you people are.

I've never met a lawyer, that stayed a lawyer, who I thought was intelligent. You guys are worse than bankers and even banking rejects.

You should all go into teaching, that's where most crazy people go.

"I've never met a lawyer, that stayed a lawyer, who I thought was intelligent."

Based on this train-wreck of a sentence, I'm not sure I care.

2:13 aka "eliminate all lawyers" since you profess your extreme distaste for us, what are you doing on abovethelaw? Lawyers are required to make sure that things go smootly and when they don't go smootly, to ensure that a just outcome is reached.

Don't be hatin on us just b/c we are smarter than you and will earn more money that you and your entire family put together...

"Smootly" ???????

i am a minority student at HLS. also, i got a 178 on my LSAT. pwned, all you racist haters!

"Don't be hatin" ??????

1:00- I hope you're joking. In any event, that theory doesn't make any sense, b/c why wouldn't everyone secretly put a "B" on their (ah-hem grammar police, "his or her respective") exam?

And while it's true as a matter of logic that law school affirmative action will result in a pool of beneficiaries with lower average test scores and grades, why the hell do you have to be so happy about it? On one hand, AA is bad because it just gives top-tier snobs an excuse to be racists as well as classist. On the other hand, you people on the board give the PC police an excuse to stay alive and harrass the rest of us. The fact that you're white doesn't mean you're superior, fucking deal with it. Soon you'll be bred out of existence anyway, and then maybe we can bury your dumbass racism in a grave next to political correctness.

Pointing out that Obama got into HLS and was an excellent student proves nothing. He is the exception to the rule.

Great post 3:53 PM. Kudos to you.

3:46 is clearly Asian. Roundeyes rule!

Although I hate getting into grammar squabbles on blogs, I'll add my two cents to this one. As I understand it, there is actually a split in authority as to whether "a" or "an" should be used before words starting with a silent h (e.g., neither "he was an honorable man" nor "he was a honorable man" are clearly wrong). I'm not sure that the same split in authority exists when the term in question is an acronym, like "HLS." In any event, however, I have to agree with the earlier poster that the better practice is to write it as you speak it. Hence, "an HLS grad" and "an honorable man" are preferrable.

Race?

You're absolutely right 4:27. What we should be talking about is how Loyola 2L's school lied to him about employment statistics.

Since I'm not arguing about race, HLS, obama or any of these issues, my post probably doesn't belong....

But I was personally quite amused to be a Big Law associate on my secret vice - vh1 reality programming. Unfortunate getting the boot from the firm, and not a choice many would have willing made....
Though I would have to say, seeing as how law firms are in the business of questioning the "good judgment" of associates, I think exhibiting an interest in dating NEW YORK is clearly a poor example of judgment.
She's crazy, looks like a transvestite with a cheap breast enhancement, and did I forget to mention CRAZY?

Lat -- I think the title of this story should be "Sidley Hates Old People, [Some] Reality TV Stars" since they apparently did not have a problem with Stacy Rotner (Brooklyn Law School '03).

'i am a minority student at HLS. also, i got a 178 on my LSAT. pwned, all you racist haters!"

Sure you did sparky...and I am a film star with a mansion in Beverly Hills who is a QC on the side.

Thank you. Can we stick to the three key points in this article. 1. Sidley; 2. Old People; and 3. Reality Stars (David Otunga). Thought I'd reiterate just in case you guys forgot.

I have found that anything on the Internet that relates to minorities ends up becoming a debate about race. When will it end?

I hate Black people

More comments on what this guy was like in law school, please? His MySpace says he was in BLSA and Harvard Defenders...someone out there has to know if he was unzipping his shirt and pumping iron on camera during his HLS time...

Obama was admitted to HLS under AA. He got a equivalent to a 163 on the old scale. The guy was a smart student at Columbia, but did not deserve HLS based on his objective criteria.

What a bunch of racist nitwits you all are. I'm just waiting for Fed Soc to come out with some self-parodying statement about color-blind admission policies, et.

>

I'm so tired of you disgusting racists. Even if true, less qualified at WHAT? Deciding whether or not to go on some stupid VH1 reality show? That's under the rubric of common sense and common sense has NOTHING to do with LSAT scores, or college GPAs. We all know book smart yet stupid people of all races.

I'm black and generally not in favor of affirmative action. The problem is when idiot racists like you morph every stupid decision minorities make into some kind of "black decision." News flash...there are stupid blacks and stupid whites. But when Aquagirl or the Crabeater does something stupid, you won't see me coming in here saying how idiotic white women are and how they're only in law school because of affirmative action.

Is it really so hard to say Otunda made a dumb decision even though he went to Harvard or do you have to simply say "everyone at HLS is smart so Otunda is some token AA beneficiary?" If the answer is the latter, then you're no better than the paranoid minorities out there who play the victim and race card and take every perceived slight as some form of institutional racism perpetrated by "The Man"

I can see why Sidley would not be excited about one of its own appearing on a trashy reality show (a show that I love to watch, by the way). It was my childhood dream to marry Bret Michaels, but I would not expect my firm to look kindly upon me deciding to appear on Rock of Love, since that show is equally trashy. Since most lawyers have no sense of humor, the higher-ups are probably not thinking what a funny and quirky thing to do, they are probably worried about how horrified some of the clients might be to see what their lawyer is doing on TV, especially in the days of You Tube and eternal Google-ability. With that having been said, more power to David for doing something more fun than sitting behind a desk all day, with the most exciting break being a chance to criticize people on ATL. Who knows whether he planned to stay at Biglaw long term anyway.

I think I remember this being discussed in a Bachelor post a couple of weeks ago, but is it possible that the reason that Sidley was not excited about David's appearance on the show is that he had to take several weeks off for the taping? That probably would not go over well at my firm.

All you racist assholes make me sick. I am an AA candidate at a prestigious law school, and will be making a whole lot of money at one of the biggest law firms in the world. Both my parents are rich doctors. Infact, I drive a 745 BMW to school, which racist police stop me in all the time. Now, all you haters, go eat shit. I guess all you racist pigs forgot about 300 years of slavery. So what if I got into a prestigious school because of the color of my skin. Its about time that blackness work in my favor. Again, all you racist assholes, EAT SHIT

Maybe this guy is just a narcissitic asshole. Based on the story as presented so far, how have people reached the conclusion that he is intellectually challenged and was not worthy of Harvard or the firm?

I wasn't born in this country and I am constantly amazed at the number of encounters I have had with white men who always find a black person's sucess to be suspect.

It must be burdensome to be so jealous and hateful.

By the way, what's more offensive? White privilege and it's dimwitted products (G.W. Bush) or AA and its incompetents products (Clarence Thomas)?

Let me posit you all a scenario. Would you put an unqualified, poor athlete on a professional football team to achieve racial harmony?

NO?
Because hanging out with better athletes whose jocks you can't carry does not make you a better athlete. Likewise, it weakens the team, and the remaining players are not allowed to have the best practices and training because the unqualified player drags them down. The team gets worse, and players get worse. What is more, the unqualified player does not get better, because the team must cater to his poor athletic skill so as to not lose him and his racially corrective existence.

Likewise with AA. Hanging out with stupid people holds smart people back and does not help stupid people get smarter.

"Diversity of thought"is no answer, because its just a cover for "I want to hear what the moron thinks of this highly intellectual subject" so smart people can be forced to explain to him that there is a difference between federal and state courts.

David didn't "think" about this act, period. No one who goes on a reality show is a "thinker"; they are morons ipso facto. He's so obviously an AA hire you can smell the 150 on his LSAT from here. And he held the rest of his class down by his stupidity. But hey, at least he looks good on admission brochures.

You idiots who think he's "sticking it to the man" and "going to try this as a career" and is "great for doing something like this" are the same people who think Paris Hilton isn't a messed up retard and Sharon Osbourne didn't pimp her kids out and cause them long term mental problems by subjecting their adolescence to the public for her own fame. Check back in 20 years when Jack, Paris, and Kelly are on their 9th tour of rehab, 7th marriage, 4th kid by 5th partner, and 2nd o.d.

The fact that people think David "Punk" (a great name for this moron) is anything more than a cheap diversity hire with no brains proves it was pure Darwinian accident we now rule the planet.

1:07, I defy you to find me one example of Clarence Thomas "pointing out" that "minorities who graduate from top law schools are ... less qualified than non-minorities." In fact, Thomas complains at length in his new book about employers incorrectly assuming the "less qualified" meme. HIS position is that AA hurts minorities because people like YOU make the kind of assumptions that you made in your post. In short, Thomas does not agree with you, and his concerns about AA are based largely on the response it garners from people like you. So much for your appeal to authority.

1:14, why, exactly, is Justice Thomas' opinion not "legitimate"? Because he disagrees with you? Colin Powell's opinion, on the other hand, is "legitimate" because he agrees with you? How convenient. But of course, we all know that what you really meant is that Thomas is not allowed to have views on AA that differ from the liberal orthodoxy because of his skin color. THAT suggestion is just as ignorant as the comment you were responding to.

1. The outrage directed toward "Punk" on here is absurd. I don't necessarily think his decision to go on the show was admirable, but he has done nothing to make him a "disgrace to the profession." The real disgraces to the profession are those who bilk clients, engage in frivolous litigation, act unethically, and/or spout bigoted nonsense. Those lawyers are the ones who make most people hate lawyers. So save your vitriol for the lawyers who deserve it.

2. I love the off-hand, matter-of-fact "Clarence Thomas is incompetent" comments. As if you have any idea what you're talking about.

The people who make the AA comments are morons, period. Further, I know many intelligent white people who are also arrogant jackasses. But I think the best thing to do is IGNORE THEM - read it and move on - do you really think you are going to reform some tard who gets off on making racists post on bulletin boards? THEY JUST DO IT TO GET A RISE OUT OF YOU (this is pretty obvious). If you do it for other reasons, you are just preaching to the choir. I do not consider them to be worth my attention. Don't condescend deal with fools.

We'll be like Brazil but with a freemarket system and the rule of law. Everyone will be light brown, hot, eat good food, and shut the holy hell up about race!!

Apologize. Thats right, kiss it.
Apo-lo-gize.

It's as simple as this.: Otunga lacks common sense. Or, he simply decided that he does not need to work at a place like Sidley or, drumrolls, that he does not want to practice. Fame is more important. And you know what? He is absolutely free to make this type of decision.

His appearance on this show is in no way proof that he was under-qualified student or an AA hire. In order to make that type of connection, you need to see his LSAT score and grades. Furthermore, Harvard looks beyond the LSAT and grades and takes other factors into consideration when it comes to admission - not just race, but also leadership skills, essay quality, and hello, LEGACIES. So, unless you were on the HLS Admissions board, you have no idea how qualified or unqualified he was.

The people on this blog who make these presumptions are missing something called LOGIC. How did you get a decent score on the LSAT and go through law school making these kinds of illogical connections?

As an HLS grad, I am glad HLS rejected you. You are not HLS material. Yes, you are racists, but more importantly, you are plain STUPID. I am more worried about illogical, stupid attorneys "dumbing" down my degree than some guy who decided that fame, and not the law, was his true calling.

Well said, 2:56.

Well said, indeed.

Yes, well said.

Never mind AA, Obama/Powell/Thomas, White vs. Black, spelling bee competitions and grammatical errors…the point of the matter is David Otunga aka “Punk” is hot and fine. Let’s not forget that incredible body that he has too (yummy!!). I’d do him.

Okay, just jokes, just trying to lighten the mood here. He’s not my type of man anyway, my men must have common sense (ditto 2:56 PM)

2:56, well said.

2:56, well said. Working that Harvard education!

I love those who say he was an AA hire, or that diversity is the only way he got to where he was...just goes to show you that racism in the work place really exists. Everytime you see a black lawyer at a big firm, I'm sure those who left those comments think he is just there to fill a quota. I know David and his score on the LSAT justified his entry into harvard, and his work ethic justified his position at Sidly. It is just sad to know that this amount of ignorance still exists among the supposedly educated.

I think the very definition of racism is casting aspersions on an entire race based on the action of a few (in this case one).

I think the kids a fool and I would fire him too if I were at Sidley. It's a leap however to use this as a reason why AA is bad.

Do any of you know the guy or anything about him? Can anyone substantiate any of your claims with factual information about him?

Is everyone so miserable in their own lives that they have to worry about what a complete stranger does in his free time?

Just because he made a different decision than you, does that make him wrong? Sure, I wouldn't do what he did, but I'm not him.

Law is maybe the most villified profession in the United States. Do you guys think the generalization about lawyers is completely justified? It's pretty ignorant for someone to think that just because I'm a lawyer, I'm a scumbag.

Everyone is pretty bright here and should have a good hold on logical thinking. These comments are unbelievably myopic and just plain pathetic.

Mr. Otunga must be doing something right. I
see he is still on the show. You seem to be giving him an awful lot of attention. I would think someone like you, who obviously views themselves better than most, and able to judge others, would have better things to do than watch I love N. Y. I say get stick out of your ass and write about something you know something about.

It is funny how narrow-minded you fools are. You are so narrow-minded that you can't comprehend life outside of working for a law firm. David had no desire to continue working at Sidley. He was miserable there and had been looking at other opportunities for months. None of you have any idea what David's plan was. He never intended to stay at Sidley and if you ask me, he went out in grand fashion. You are all completely mistaken. David was NOT fired. HE QUIT. RESIGNED! TURNED IN A LETTER OF RESIGNATION EVEN. Since you have such great sources, why don't you ask them about it. Its true. I know him very well. Its funny how strong the prejudice is among you all. None of you know him or what he was thinking. Instead you offer your racist assumptions as to why he would jeopardize his career at Sidley Austin. Believe me, I had this conversation with him over and over when he was deciding to go on the show. He knew that if he went on the show, he could never work at Sidley again. He knew this and smiled when he told me that he never planned on working there after the show. After he returned, he only wanted to work there until the show started airing. He made the decision to leave Sidley well before he even left to film the show. You all claim to be so smart and that David lacks common sense, but really it is YOU ALL WHO LACK COMMON SENSE! You are so ignorant that you actually think he was planning on carrying on a career at Sidley Austin after becoming one of the biggest reality stars in Hollywood! Yeah, you all are brilliant. Psych! You are nothing but a bunch of racists, who are unhappy with your own lives, so you throw stones at people who you are jealous of. Being one of David's best friends, I can tell you that David is definitely one person you all should really be jealous of. Not only because he turned down Sidley Austin to follow his dreams, but because of who he is as a person. I am privileged to have David as my best friend.

For all the people bitching about AA, I taught David while he was an undergrad at Illinois. Not only did he get one of the highest grades in a class of (mostly white) 250 students, but was also invited to join our lab to do honors work. He was one of the brightest students I worked with my 6 years there. I wrote one of his letters of recommendation for law school and can assure you, after seeing his transcripts and LSAT scores, that he didn't get in because of AA.

Nice try, though.

I'm glad he seems to be having fun. I hope he ends up doing something he enjoys.

David is an embarrassment to the profession? Please. Lawyers are an embarrassment, period.

David looks like an intelligent, fun, happy guy to me.

Maybe he woke up and decided not to live the life of a crook in a cheap blue suit.

Enjoy your dockets. Heh.

Why is it that if a minority does something bad it is a reflection of his race and his race's abilities and disposition. However, I do not see the same comments about pedophiles and other bad actors from the majority race. Instead, majority subjects are simply reflections of them selves. And with respect to AA, most people do not have a clue to what AA means and how it works.

I just saw a picture on-line of David with Michael Jackson! At least his celebrity is getting him somewhere.

How did a post about a lawyer turned reality star turn into a fight about race, affirmative action, and black intelligence. Some of you guys need to get out of your backyards, travel a little more and perhaps you won't be so myopic. I can't believe the ignorant nonsense I am reading on this post. Just because a guy chooses not to work for a lawfirm and appear on a reality show instead does not make him an AA hire or dumb. What's the logical connection there? We lawyers run around thinking we're amongst the most highly educated and amongst the brightest. This post proves that too many of us are really poorly educated, unexposed and a bunch of dimwits.

What are you people thinking? How are you going 2 degrade a nice person like David. I bet because he intimidates you and is more successful than you'll ever be. It seems to me someone's a little jealous. I'm just sayin. I'm not one of these people that don't know him either. I'm a friend of his niece that is a growing college student and I don't appreciate your critism on someone I look up to. David is an inspirtation to African American high school males and college students. People period. He inspires me to do better and I'm sure he inspires everyone else around him. I'm glad to have met him and his wonderful family. You couldn't find better people. Thanks David for evrything.

What are you people thinking? How are you going 2 degrade a nice person like David. I bet because he intimidates you and is more successful than you'll ever be. It seems to me someone's a little jealous. I'm just sayin. I'm not one of these people that don't know him either. I'm a friend of his and a growing college student and I don't appreciate your critism on someone I look up to. David is an inspirtation to African American high school males and college students. People period. He inspires me to do better and I'm sure he inspires everyone else around him. I'm glad to have met him and his wonderful family. You couldn't find better people. Thanks David for evrything.

The one above is mine.

The one above is mine.

DAVID,YOU ARE TRUELY A BLESSING,MILLIONS WATCH THE SHOW AND YOU REPRSENT FOR OUR PEOPLE TO THE FULLEST AND IT DOESN'T HURT THAT YOU LOOK GOOD DOING IT.IM NOT SURE IF YOU'LL READ THIS BUT I HOPE YOU DO.I DON'T HAVE A MYSPACE AT THIS TIME SO I COULDN'T SEND YOU A NOTE THAT WAY.I LIVE IN PHILLY AND I WOULD LOVE TO GET A RESPONSE BACK FROM YOU SO I CAN GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT DAVID OTUNGA AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEND YOU SOME PICS AS WELL...I PROMISE U WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED.WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU....NICKIE

He should have been fired as being on that show shows not only bad judgement, but cheapens the practice of law. I am a practicing attorney and I would fire his dumbass if he worked for me. All of the guys (NY too) are back stabbing, ignorant characters..but how much is simply for attention?

Christopher, you are a hater. Plain and simple. You only wish he worked for you. You probaby aren't even smart enough to work for him. Your ignorance cheapens the practice of law. I would let David represent me any day.

James, if you would let a guy who has fallen in love with that she-male and "resigns" from his prestigious law firm after only a month or so of practice so he can be with a perfect stranger, YOU have some serious judgment problems. And newsflash, he doesn't even win! Way to flush Harvard Law down the toilet.

Oh, he won alright...

"New York Beacon" Vol. 14 No. 49 Dec. 7 - Dec. 12, 2007

newyorkbeacon.com

After graduation from Harvard Law
School in 2006, David Otunga who
stars as the character “Punk,” on the
reality television show, “I Love New
York,” landed the job of a lifetime at
Sidley Austin LLP.
Sidley Austin LLP is one of the preeminent
law firms in the country, with
its headquarters in Chicago. Otunga
remembers the sense of accomplishment
he felt upon receiving an offer to
join the law firm. He recalls his
mother’s joy and how she called all of
her friends and relatives to brag about
the great job her son had just obtained.
It was a strange moment in
Otunga’s life when just over one year
later, his mother who was so proud of
his position at Sidley Austin advised
him to quit. He recalls her telling him,
“David you were meant for such
greater things than the law firm is allowing
you to do I think you should
quit.”
The next day, Otunga tendered his
resignation and hasn’t looked back
since. In early 2007, Otunga began to
feel complacent at the large law firm
and felt that the work he was doing
offered little self-fulfillment. He began
toying with the idea of leaving the law
firm and returning to public interest
work. It was a difficult choice to make
given the large six-figure salary Sidley
provided him with.
However, in May of 2007, he re-
On the TUBE
‘Punk’ riding high wave on reality TV
(Continued on page 30)

“I asked myself whether I would regret passing
up the opportunity to appear on I Love
New York and my answer was yes.”

"Punk’ riding high wave on reality TV" (from page 29)
ceived a call from a casting
director at VH1. Apparently,
his 13 year old niece Kylee,
had submitted his profile to
casting directors at the network
for him to appear on the
second season of the hit show,
“I Love New York.”
Following an audition and
much deliberation, Otunga
soon found himself in a Hollywood
mansion with 19 other
men, competing for the love of
Tiffany “New York” Pollard.
When asked why he would
make such a decision that
could possibly jeopardize his
position at Sidley Austin LLP,
Otunga replied, “I asked myself
whether I could see myself
working at Sidley or any
other law firm for the rest of
my life and my answer was,
‘No.’
“I then asked myself
whether I would regret passing
up the opportunity to appear
on ‘I Love New York 2’ and
my answer was yes.” That
made Otunga’s decision crystal
clear and it’s a decision he is
still proud of today.
After the filming wrapped on
what Otunga describes as a life
changing experience, he returned
to Chicago and continued
to work at Sidley Austin.
However, he recalls that his
heart was just not in it anymore.
He just wasn’t getting back
what he wanted from his career.
Although the money was
great, Otunga felt that he was
missing something. Remembering
back to when he was happiest
during his short legal career,
Otunga recalls a clinical program
he participated in as a third
year law student at Harvard.
Otunga’s favorite professor,
Charles Ogletree offered a program
called the Criminal Justice
Institute which allowed third
year law students to work as
public defenders in the court
system of Boston, Massachusetts.
Otunga relayed to me that
was when he enjoyed practicing
law the most. That was
when he experienced the most
self-fulfilling feelings. He relayed
that to this day he still
hears from the clients he represented
as a law student.
David has become a big
brother of sorts to a juvenile
client he had named Jeffrey.
He says that he still talks to
Jeffrey and his mother to this
day. After talking to his family
and recalling what truly
drove him in his legal career,
Otunga finally resigned from
Sidley Austin LLP in September
2007.
Just four days after leaving
Sidley, Otunga landed a position
working with Rev. Jesse L.
Jackson, Sr. at the Rainbow
PUSH Coalition in Chicago.
Otunga volunteers at the Rainbow
PUSH Legal Clinic every
Monday night, where he offers
free legal advice to members of
the community.
Otunga is also keeping himself
busy by visiting high
schools and colleges across the
country, giving motivational
speeches, counseling students
on the importance of staying in
school and achieving a college
education, appearing at Black
History Club events, and of
course signing autographs and
answering questions about starring
on “I Love New York 2.”
David says that his work with
Rainbow PUSH is perfect for his
current lifestyle, because it is
allowing him to give back to his
community, it is providing him
with enough cases to get his own
law practice up and running, it
allows him the freedom to travel
and speak to students across
the country, and most importantly
it is finally giving him
what he has been looking for all along, self-fulfillment.

"New York Beacon" Vol. 14 No. 49 Dec. 7 - Dec. 12, 2007

newyorkbeacon.com

After graduation from Harvard Law
School in 2006, David Otunga who
stars as the character “Punk,” on the
reality television show, “I Love New
York,” landed the job of a lifetime at
Sidley Austin LLP.
Sidley Austin LLP is one of the preeminent
law firms in the country, with
its headquarters in Chicago. Otunga
remembers the sense of accomplishment
he felt upon receiving an offer to
join the law firm. He recalls his
mother’s joy and how she called all of
her friends and relatives to brag about
the great job her son had just obtained.
It was a strange moment in
Otunga’s life when just over one year
later, his mother who was so proud of
his position at Sidley Austin advised
him to quit. He recalls her telling him,
“David you were meant for such
greater things than the law firm is allowing
you to do I think you should
quit.”
The next day, Otunga tendered his
resignation and hasn’t looked back
since. In early 2007, Otunga began to
feel complacent at the large law firm
and felt that the work he was doing
offered little self-fulfillment. He began
toying with the idea of leaving the law
firm and returning to public interest
work. It was a difficult choice to make
given the large six-figure salary Sidley
provided him with.
However, in May of 2007, he re-
On the TUBE
‘Punk’ riding high wave on reality TV
(Continued on page 30)

“I asked myself whether I would regret passing
up the opportunity to appear on I Love
New York and my answer was yes.”

"Punk’ riding high wave on reality TV" (from page 29)
ceived a call from a casting
director at VH1. Apparently,
his 13 year old niece Kylee,
had submitted his profile to
casting directors at the network
for him to appear on the
second season of the hit show,
“I Love New York.”
Following an audition and
much deliberation, Otunga
soon found himself in a Hollywood
mansion with 19 other
men, competing for the love of
Tiffany “New York” Pollard.
When asked why he would
make such a decision that
could possibly jeopardize his
position at Sidley Austin LLP,
Otunga replied, “I asked myself
whether I could see myself
working at Sidley or any
other law firm for the rest of
my life and my answer was,
‘No.’
“I then asked myself
whether I would regret passing
up the opportunity to appear
on ‘I Love New York 2’ and
my answer was yes.” That
made Otunga’s decision crystal
clear and it’s a decision he is
still proud of today.
After the filming wrapped on
what Otunga describes as a life
changing experience, he returned
to Chicago and continued
to work at Sidley Austin.
However, he recalls that his
heart was just not in it anymore.
He just wasn’t getting back
what he wanted from his career.
Although the money was
great, Otunga felt that he was
missing something. Remembering
back to when he was happiest
during his short legal career,
Otunga recalls a clinical program
he participated in as a third
year law student at Harvard.
Otunga’s favorite professor,
Charles Ogletree offered a program
called the Criminal Justice
Institute which allowed third
year law students to work as
public defenders in the court
system of Boston, Massachusetts.
Otunga relayed to me that
was when he enjoyed practicing
law the most. That was
when he experienced the most
self-fulfilling feelings. He relayed
that to this day he still
hears from the clients he represented
as a law student.
David has become a big
brother of sorts to a juvenile
client he had named Jeffrey.
He says that he still talks to
Jeffrey and his mother to this
day. After talking to his family
and recalling what truly
drove him in his legal career,
Otunga finally resigned from
Sidley Austin LLP in September
2007.
Just four days after leaving
Sidley, Otunga landed a position
working with Rev. Jesse L.
Jackson, Sr. at the Rainbow
PUSH Coalition in Chicago.
Otunga volunteers at the Rainbow
PUSH Legal Clinic every
Monday night, where he offers
free legal advice to members of
the community.
Otunga is also keeping himself
busy by visiting high
schools and colleges across the
country, giving motivational
speeches, counseling students
on the importance of staying in
school and achieving a college
education, appearing at Black
History Club events, and of
course signing autographs and
answering questions about starring
on “I Love New York 2.”
David says that his work with
Rainbow PUSH is perfect for his
current lifestyle, because it is
allowing him to give back to his
community, it is providing him
with enough cases to get his own
law practice up and running, it
allows him the freedom to travel
and speak to students across
the country, and most importantly
it is finally giving him
what he has been looking for all along, self-fulfillment.

New York Beacon
Vol. 14 No. 49
Dec. 7 - Dec. 12, 2007

‘Punk’ riding high wave on reality TV
After graduation from Harvard Law
School in 2006, David Otunga who
stars as the character “Punk,” on the
reality television show, “I Love New
York,” landed the job of a lifetime at
Sidley Austin LLP.
Sidley Austin LLP is one of the preeminent
law firms in the country, with
its headquarters in Chicago. Otunga
remembers the sense of accomplishment
he felt upon receiving an offer to
join the law firm. He recalls his
mother’s joy and how she called all of
her friends and relatives to brag about
the great job her son had just obtained.
It was a strange moment in
Otunga’s life when just over one year
later, his mother who was so proud of
his position at Sidley Austin advised
him to quit. He recalls her telling him,
“David you were meant for such
greater things than the law firm is allowing
you to do I think you should
quit.”
The next day, Otunga tendered his
resignation and hasn’t looked back
since. In early 2007, Otunga began to
feel complacent at the large law firm
and felt that the work he was doing
offered little self-fulfillment. He began
toying with the idea of leaving the law
firm and returning to public interest
work. It was a difficult choice to make
given the large six-figure salary Sidley
provided him with.
However, in May of 2007, he re-
On the TUBE
‘Punk’ riding high wave on reality TV
(Continued on page 30)

“I asked myself whether I would regret passing
up the opportunity to appear on I Love
New York and my answer was yes.”

'Punk' riding high wave on reality TV
(From page 29)
ceived a call from a casting
director at VH1. Apparently,
his 13 year old niece Kylee,
had submitted his profile to
casting directors at the network
for him to appear on the
second season of the hit show,
“I Love New York.”
Following an audition and
much deliberation, Otunga
soon found himself in a Hollywood
mansion with 19 other
men, competing for the love of
Tiffany “New York” Pollard.
When asked why he would
make such a decision that
could possibly jeopardize his
position at Sidley Austin LLP,
Otunga replied, “I asked myself
whether I could see myself
working at Sidley or any
other law firm for the rest of
my life and my answer was,
‘No.’
“I then asked myself
whether I would regret passing
up the opportunity to appear
on ‘I Love New York 2’ and
my answer was yes.” That
made Otunga’s decision crystal
clear and it’s a decision he is
still proud of today.
After the filming wrapped on
what Otunga describes as a life
changing experience, he returned
to Chicago and continued
to work at Sidley Austin.
However, he recalls that his
heart was just not in it anymore.
He just wasn’t getting back
what he wanted from his career.
Although the money was
great, Otunga felt that he was
missing something. Remembering
back to when he was happiest
during his short legal career,
Otunga recalls a clinical program
he participated in as a third
year law student at Harvard.
Otunga’s favorite professor,
Charles Ogletree offered a program
called the Criminal Justice
Institute which allowed third
year law students to work as
public defenders in the court
system of Boston, Massachusetts.
Otunga relayed to me that
was when he enjoyed practicing
law the most. That was
when he experienced the most
self-fulfilling feelings. He relayed
that to this day he still
hears from the clients he represented
as a law student.
David has become a big
brother of sorts to a juvenile
client he had named Jeffrey.
He says that he still talks to
Jeffrey and his mother to this
day. After talking to his family
and recalling what truly
drove him in his legal career,
Otunga finally resigned from
Sidley Austin LLP in September
2007.
Just four days after leaving
Sidley, Otunga landed a position
working with Rev. Jesse L.
Jackson, Sr. at the Rainbow
PUSH Coalition in Chicago.
Otunga volunteers at the Rainbow
PUSH Legal Clinic every
Monday night, where he offers
free legal advice to members of
the community.
Otunga is also keeping himself
busy by visiting high
schools and colleges across the
country, giving motivational
speeches, counseling students
on the importance of staying in
school and achieving a college
education, appearing at Black
History Club events, and of
course signing autographs and
answering questions about starring
on “I Love New York 2.”
David says that his work with
Rainbow PUSH is perfect for his
current lifestyle, because it is
allowing him to give back to his
community, it is providing him
with enough cases to get his own
law practice up and running, it
allows him the freedom to travel
and speak to students across
the country, and most importantly
it is finally giving him
what he has been looking for all
along, self-fulfillment.

New York Beacon
Vol. 14 No. 49
Dec. 7 - Dec. 12, 2007

‘Punk’ riding high wave on reality TV
After graduation from Harvard Law
School in 2006, David Otunga who
stars as the character “Punk,” on the
reality television show, “I Love New
York,” landed the job of a lifetime at
Sidley Austin LLP.
Sidley Austin LLP is one of the preeminent
law firms in the country, with
its headquarters in Chicago. Otunga
remembers the sense of accomplishment
he felt upon receiving an offer to
join the law firm. He recalls his
mother’s joy and how she called all of
her friends and relatives to brag about
the great job her son had just obtained.
It was a strange moment in
Otunga’s life when just over one year
later, his mother who was so proud of
his position at Sidley Austin advised
him to quit. He recalls her telling him,
“David you were meant for such
greater things than the law firm is allowing
you to do I think you should
quit.”
The next day, Otunga tendered his
resignation and hasn’t looked back
since. In early 2007, Otunga began to
feel complacent at the large law firm
and felt that the work he was doing
offered little self-fulfillment. He began
toying with the idea of leaving the law
firm and returning to public interest
work. It was a difficult choice to make
given the large six-figure salary Sidley
provided him with.
However, in May of 2007, he re-
On the TUBE
‘Punk’ riding high wave on reality TV
(Continued on page 30)

“I asked myself whether I would regret passing
up the opportunity to appear on I Love
New York and my answer was yes.”

'Punk' riding high wave on reality TV
(From page 29)
ceived a call from a casting
director at VH1. Apparently,
his 13 year old niece Kylee,
had submitted his profile to
casting directors at the network
for him to appear on the
second season of the hit show,
“I Love New York.”
Following an audition and
much deliberation, Otunga
soon found himself in a Hollywood
mansion with 19 other
men, competing for the love of
Tiffany “New York” Pollard.
When asked why he would
make such a decision that
could possibly jeopardize his
position at Sidley Austin LLP,
Otunga replied, “I asked myself
whether I could see myself
working at Sidley or any
other law firm for the rest of
my life and my answer was,
‘No.’
“I then asked myself
whether I would regret passing
up the opportunity to appear
on ‘I Love New York 2’ and
my answer was yes.” That
made Otunga’s decision crystal
clear and it’s a decision he is
still proud of today.
After the filming wrapped on
what Otunga describes as a life
changing experience, he returned
to Chicago and continued
to work at Sidley Austin.
However, he recalls that his
heart was just not in it anymore.
He just wasn’t getting back
what he wanted from his career.
Although the money was
great, Otunga felt that he was
missing something. Remembering
back to when he was happiest
during his short legal career,
Otunga recalls a clinical program
he participated in as a third
year law student at Harvard.
Otunga’s favorite professor,
Charles Ogletree offered a program
called the Criminal Justice
Institute which allowed third
year law students to work as
public defenders in the court
system of Boston, Massachusetts.
Otunga relayed to me that
was when