Lat and all other readers, get over the prestige thing. i left big law 3 years ago and opened my own shingle. I settle one good PI case and make what a 2nd or 3rd year makes in half a year all for signing up a client, collecting medical bills, giving them to insurance companies and writing demand letters. GET OVER YOURSELF BIG LAW!

You missed a tag: "Shameless plugs"

12:27: Prestige is how people make themselves feel better when they're looking at a computer screen at 2:00 in the morning whilst getting e-mails from insane partners.

Now I really want to see this movie!

$300k/year and less responsibility than a partner? Sounds like a great gig to me. Hey Lat, how about a post on firms that let senior associates hang around indefinitely-- it seems like most of Biglaw is up or out if you don't make partner.

Can't open your article, so apologies if this is addressed in it.

where all those Columbus Day posts went...

Lat you are spreading yourself too thin.

Merk is terrible and while I am not suggesting you can't explore other opportunities, you need an able #2.

this was a great review, i want to see this movie now. thanks Lat. bravo.

Senior associates are what would be partners at mid-level firms making twice the money and smiling once in a while if they weren't so set on going to "biglaw." They are what the majority of "biglaw" associates become if they don't quit or are not fired first.

They are also fatter, balder, lonlier, likely divorced, uglier, and more depressed. "Biglaw" is overrated!

He's Loyola 2L's dream future.

Is anyone else having a problem clicking the link? It asks me to download a file, which I did, but I can't view that file.

I've heard that senior associates are some of the happiest in Biglaw. They actually get to practice law, are paid well, and don't have to deal w/ all of the administrative bullshit and client development of partnership status.

i left big law 3 years ago and opened my own shingle. I settle one good PI case and make what a 2nd or 3rd year makes in half a year all for signing up a client, collecting medical bills, giving them to insurance companies and writing demand letters. GET OVER YOURSELF BIG LAW!

=======================

Congrats. It is great to know you are satisfied with a career that presents no intellectual challenges whatsoever.

Go ahead and tell yourself you care nothing for prestige. But the fact is that most people see you as what you are:a two-bit parasite who makes money by settling BS lawsuits for nuisance value.

I don't agree with the terminology. Maybe that's how it works at some firms, but at mine, you go from junior associate to mid-level associate to senior associate. Pretty much anyone can take those steps, provided they put in the hours and don't screw anything up. But then, you're either kicked out or become "counsel" or "junior (non-equity) partner." A very small percentage of counsels go on to become partner, but most don't. Typically, these are the folks who do one thing VERY well, well enough that the firm doesn't want to lose them, but they don't have the whole package of a partner. Maybe they're brilliantly smart and great at drafting briefs, but they're so socially awkward that the firm keeps them far, far away from clients. Or maybe they have a great relationship with a key client but otherwise are not a superstar. A few people choose to become counsel, because it's not such a bad gig -- no managerial responsibilities, but you're paid more than the most senior associates.

At any rate, I'd call Clooney "counsel." That's not to say that's the all-around correct term; rather, the point is that not all firms would consider him a senior associate.

mostly fine review Lat, except you should have resisted appending that last cheese-laden cringer of a line

1:04(1) You seem to have some real issues there. What do you call someone who sucks a few hundred dollars an hour off of every corporate deal without adding any real value? Would that also be a parasite? Get over yourself.

1:04(2) Thank you for that insightful comment regarding terminology. The world is a better place now that we know what your firm the labels your firm uses and that they do not line up with a Hollywood movie or an Observer article.

1:11......bravo!

1:04..........settling cases for 6 and 7 figures is nuisance value?

next, i admit that PI cases are not always intellectually challenging. however, i do have other parts of my practice that give me the intellectual callenge i need to keep my mind fit. the PI cases just help me make far more cash than you make. that's all.

most people see you for what you are: a little prick that can't develop his own clients, has no idea where the courtrooom or the board room is at and who thinks doc review, writing memos, sucking a partern's cock et cet. is challenging. bravo!

It ain't so bad. Lots of control over my work, lots of responsibility, support from the firm in developing my own clients.

Plu, at least at my firm, my pay difference is only about $40k from first year non-equity partners, and I actually take home more after they pay their enormous health insurance premiums, payroll taxes, mandatory life insurance premiums, etc.

One particularly bitter pill: I took over a matter from a friend who made partner a year ago. Although I am for all purposes the lead attorney, he remained the billing partner. I recently realized that this means he'll be reviewing me this year.

Do you think Michael Clayton is getting any grief?

http://www.morganlewis.com/index.cfm/personID/569a846d-99f5-4dc2-9fcc-85ecc3589f5a/fromSearch/0/fuseaction/people.viewBio

Some Michael Claytons make partner

http://www.morganlewis.com/index.cfm/personID/569a846d-99f5-4dc2-9fcc-85ecc3589f5a/fromSearch/0/fuseaction/people.viewBio

1:11, you are bitter, even for this board full of lawyers, very bitter.

1:18, 1:21, as usual, the WSJ has scooped you (i.e., posters on ATL).

http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2007/10/05/law-blog-qa-morgan-lewiss-michael-clayton/

David, you should live in NYC.

1:11: It's an Observer article written by Lat, so any inaccuracy about the legal profession is more than fair game.

I have never thought of a "senior associate" as someone who has been passed over for partner. Rather, I have thought of the term as referring to associates in their 6th to 8th (maybe 7th to 9th) years, regardless of their partnership track status. Many of them -- especially in New York -- have never been up for partner.

"Counsel," "Senior Counsel," and the like: A different story, usually meaning (i) the person has been passed over one too many times; (ii) the person has lateraled and cannot yet be considered for partnership under the firm's guidelines; or (iii) the person has some freaky weird set-up, like former federal judges or senior government officials often do.

Interesting comment at the bottom of the NY Observer article.

I agree with 1:04 - Lat, why do you think he's a senior associate? Considering the 17 yrs. at the firm and the "Special Counsel" title (not to mention the bitterness!), his sounds a hell of a lot more like an "OF COUNSEL" position.

Check out the wikipedia entry for "of counsel" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Of_counsel - which includes "four acceptable definitions of the term" according to the ABA, one or two of which definitely cover the Clooney character.

The comment:

InfoonLat says:
In case people are wondering what sort of person could have such a snobbish view of the world, let me tell you about David Lat.

David Lat shills for a legal recruitment firm. He runs a blog called “Above the Law” for a firm called Lateral Link. Lateral Link are those pushy recruiters who call you non-stop, and try to get you to leave firm X for firm Y. Firm Y isn’t any better than firm X, but they get a large fee for convincing you to move. To get their name in front of associates, they hired Lat to write a blog about law firm life.

If you read Lat’s blog, you’ll notice that every story has a negative bent on firm life. “You’re just a lowly senior associate; No one at your firm respects you.” “You only make $145,000; The firm across the street pays $160,000.” “You didn’t get a bonsai tree like those Sullivan and Cromwell associates.” Could there be any better way to get associates to take those recruiters’ calls? I can’t think of one.

So no, Lat isn’t as stuck-up as his article implies. He, too, is just another worker, and he carries water for Lateral Link.

http://nyobserver.com/2007/hollywood-hugs-beta-males-law

BIGLAW is full of people with unusual titles (Counsel [[skadden]], Special Counsel, Senior Counsel, Senior Attorney [[Cravtah]], etc.). At my firm (Vault 5), these people have big offices, just like the partners, and seem to command a lot of respect. Most of the newly-minted partners come from their ranks (not senior associates), and it is very common for a senior associate to spend 2-4 years in this position prior to making partner. Based on their lifestyles, they appear to making a lot of cash - - significantly more than the senior associates, although less than the nearly $2 mil+ PPP.

Can anyone provide any intel on how much these people actually make? One guy at my firm that is single and does not appear to have any family money recently paid $2.1 million for an apartment. Based on that, I would guess these people are making at least $500K, but I am wondering if we can get some hard intel here.

FYI, I know that "of counsel" are often older retired partners, and that some firms give the title "special counsel" to lawyers that have no chance of making partner but have a unique speciality (ex. ERISA), I am not talking about these people. I am talking about the people that are 9-12 years out of law school, have "counsel" in the title, and appear to have a shot at being partner.

1:11 - Lighten up, Francis.

Having been at a biglaw firm that failed some years ago, watching partners not get paid for months, and then losing much of their capital as the firm was wound down, I'm not sure what the appeal is of making partner at biglaw. Very few biglaw partners have much control over their work, their colleagues or the direction of the firm.

Dude probably didn't go to a T14, otherwise he would have made partner long ago.

Perhaps it's on a case-by-case basis, but most firms seem to be very open about 1st - 8th year associate pay, but very secretive about counsel, special counsel, salary partner pay? There must be competition for these people, and counsel, etc., must jump around. So how do you judge where to go based on who pays what salaries?

LAT, ARE YOUR A LATERAL LINK GRUNT?

If you know any Counsels at Skadden - - do not shed a tear for them. I don't have the exact numbers, but they are making really good money. Without giving away too much info, I knew a married couple: he was "Counsel" at Skadden and she was a JP at one of the Big 3 firms in LA. They were both about 10-11 years out of law school. We were close friends, close enough to talk about money. They told me that they made about the same, but she had to pay for her benefits like health care and dental. All things considered, his take home pay was actually more than hers.

If you know any Counsels at Skadden - - do not shed a tear for them. I don't have the exact numbers, but they are making really good money. Without giving away too much info, I knew a married couple: he was "Counsel" at Skadden and she was a JP at one of the Big 3 firms in LA. They were both about 10-11 years out of law school. We were close friends, close enough to talk about money. They told me that they made about the same, but she had to pay for her benefits like health care and dental. All things considered, his take home pay was actually more than hers.

If you know any Counsels at Skadden - - do not shed a tear for them. I don't have the exact numbers, but they are making really good money. Without giving away too much info, I knew a married couple: he was "Counsel" at Skadden and she was a JP at one of the Big 3 firms in LA. They were both about 10-11 years out of law school. We were close friends, close enough to talk about money. They told me that they made about the same, but she had to pay for her benefits like health care and dental. All things considered, his take home pay was actually more than hers.

Just FYI - this movie was filmed at the Dewey offices, also the new headquarters of Dewey & LeBoeuf.

LAT, ARE YOUR A LATERAL LINK GRUNT?

If you know any Counsels at Skadden - - do not shed a tear for them. I don't have the exact numbers, but they are making really good money. Without giving away too much info, I knew a married couple: he was "Counsel" at Skadden and she was a JP at one of the Big 3 firms in LA. They were both about 10-11 years out of law school. We were close friends, close enough to talk about money. They told me that they made about the same, but she had to pay for her benefits like health care and dental. All things considered, his take home pay was actually more than hers.

If I could get paid decent money to work reasonable hours for the rest of my life at my firm, I'd be happy to do that. We call that position Counsel as well. They make more money than a senior associate but don't have all the admin responsibilities of a partner and, from what I can tell, actually have lives.

It is very common for people to go into a Counsel position from my particular practice area, which is pretty specialized. Some people probably look down on Counsel, but those are the same people who look down on everyone who thinks that there is an alternative to (i) working in Biglaw and (ii) gunning for partner. You can't plan your life around being judged by elitist snobs.

Just FYI - this movie was filmed at the Dewey offices, also the new headquarters of Dewey & LeBoeuf.

If I could get paid decent money to work reasonable hours for the rest of my life at my firm, I'd be happy to do that. We call that position Counsel as well. They make more money than a senior associate but don't have all the admin responsibilities of a partner and, from what I can tell, actually have lives.

It is very common for people to go into a Counsel position from my particular practice area, which is pretty specialized. Some people probably look down on Counsel, but those are the same people who look down on everyone who thinks that there is an alternative to (i) working in Biglaw and (ii) gunning for partner. You can't plan your life around being judged by elitist snobs.

I agree - Lat has no idea what a senior associate is. Maybe that's because he only lasted a few years in BigLaw.

Sorry for the multiple posts, but I wanted to add that I have known of several people who moved from a Counsel position to Partner, based on changed family situations, desires, etc. A Counsel position is often kind of a "stopping point" at firms that don't have non-equity partners.

Agree with the others that the article is flawed in changing Clooney's role from the correct name-- counsel-- to senior associate, which is someone who hasn't been passed over for partner yet. It's not the key to the whole article but it sounds weird to anyone who works at a firm with senior associates and counsel.

Lat is a tool who runs an entertaining website. Doesn't everyone know that?

What do you call someone who sucks a few hundred dollars an hour off of every corporate deal without adding any real value? Would that also be a parasite? Get over yourself.

=======================

I'd call it someone who has a client who is more than sophisticated enough to know when he/she is being overcharged. You sanctimonious PI lawyers, on the other hand, have no real clients -- which makes your entire practice a sham -- answer to no one, and provide nothing of real value to anyone but the "injured" idiots who see your classless advertisements on the side of the buses they ride. Oh, I forgot, that makes you "rainmakers" who "develop your own business." Sorry.

I do wonder why you're even here, commenting in a thread re: biglaw senior associates. Still keeping tabs on the shops you were kicked out of -- er, I mean left to pursue "greener" pastures?

FWIW, my firm uses the term "special counsel" to describe anyone who is neither a partner nor an associate, whether it's because (a) the person does not want to be a partner (there are several of those) or (b) the person is a lateral who is not immediately being made a partner, but who has been out of law school too long to be called an associate.

I wonder if Michael Clayton really is a biglaw associate:

http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2007/10/05/meet-the-fake-michael-clayton-the-real-michael-clayton/

Naw, we all know what a senior associate is.

It is either the guy on the cusp of making partner or who is a lifer in the firm but never will.

Lat was referring to the latter.

I am a little more unclear on the definition of "tool" except to connote vague disparagement. Or in this case jealousy.

2:35 did your girlfriend leave you for a PI lawyer or something? Relax and eat more fiber or something.

One "of counse"l I know admitted that he wasn't eligible for year end bonuses.

There are only two types of lawyers: Owners and Employees.

Call the employees what you want, "Counsel", "Non-Equity Partner", "Senior Associate", "Document Monkey", it doesn't matter. At the end of the day, they all collect a pay check from the man, same as the secretaries and paralegals.

2:35, i think it is funny to read this stuff people like you write. that is why i read this blog. every day, it makes me happy i left for greener pastures. this week so far i:

a) settled a commericial litigation case at a mediation for 7 figures;
b) settled a PI case for $100,000.00; and
c) had an oral argument on a motion to quash a subpoena of a non-party to a RICO case.

Oh, I also signed up a felony-murder case, took a deposition in an employment discrimination case where I am defense counsel and filed a complaint on behalf of a mid-size manufacturer against its insurer for bad-faith.

i guess my hundreds of thousands of dollars i made this week were b/c i have nothing to offer.

now, i admit it's been a good week, probably won't have any big cases for another month or so, but i think i can float it.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....maybe you don't know the axiom about doing good work. Just b/c I don't represent an i-bank doesn't mean I'm not able to de-file you.

2:35 did your girlfriend leave you for a PI lawyer or something? Relax and eat more fiber or something.

=================

Not at all. I hate them because they are worthless parasites. I'd leave them alone, but then they come here and flame the Biglaw crowd, and it's just too much to have to take.

2:35 is more backed up than john bolton at a UN general assembly meeting

I thought "special counsel" was a PC term for a retarded attorney?

Did 2:35 rearend someone on the way to work this morning?

I'm a special counsel in biglaw. There's no difference from being a senior associate other than a few thousand dollars. I want to be partner, but probably won't, and no one tells me anything about my standing at the firm, which is not a good thing. Still working my ass off. No respect from co-counsel, opposing counsel, and for that matter, hardly any respect from the attorneys at my own firm. Pity is more like it. I would leave in a second if I thought I could get a job that pays the same. Problem is I probably can't. So for now, I'm stuck in purgatory.

You gotta serve somebody.

You gotta serve somebody.

the following does not specifically comment on the legal profession, but I don't think that this definition would limited to PI lawyers if it did:

Parasitism is one version of symbiosis ("living together"), a phenomenon in which two organisms which are phylogenetically unrelated co-exist over a prolonged period of time, usually the lifetime of one of the individuals. The requirement for a prolonged interaction precludes predatory or episodic interactions (such as a mosquito feeding on a host), which are usually not seen as symbiotic relationships. Symbiosis encompasses commensalism ("eating at the same table", wherein two organisms co-exist in the same space, and one organism benefits while neither harming nor helping the other), through mutualism (wherein both species benefit from the interaction) to parasitism, wherein one organism, usually physically smaller of the two (the parasite) benefits and the other (the host) is harmed. (Various forms of "social parasitism", kleptoparasitism, and "cheating parasitism", as discussed below, are characterized by a less close association between a parasite and a host, however.)

the following does not specifically comment on the legal profession, but I don't think that this definition would limited to PI lawyers if it did:

Parasitism is one version of symbiosis ("living together"), a phenomenon in which two organisms which are phylogenetically unrelated co-exist over a prolonged period of time, usually the lifetime of one of the individuals. The requirement for a prolonged interaction precludes predatory or episodic interactions (such as a mosquito feeding on a host), which are usually not seen as symbiotic relationships. Symbiosis encompasses commensalism ("eating at the same table", wherein two organisms co-exist in the same space, and one organism benefits while neither harming nor helping the other), through mutualism (wherein both species benefit from the interaction) to parasitism, wherein one organism, usually physically smaller of the two (the parasite) benefits and the other (the host) is harmed. (Various forms of "social parasitism", kleptoparasitism, and "cheating parasitism", as discussed below, are characterized by a less close association between a parasite and a host, however.)

2:59 you have just described every lawyer in the entire country. This profession, whether big law or ambulance chaser, pays just enough to make it impossible to leave.

Counsel at Skadden is not like "special counsel" at other firms. Counsel at Skadden are people that are still up for partner. In fact, if you look at the list of prople that make partner in any given year, more than half of them were promoted to partner from the Counsel ranks. Some still make partner directly from being a senior associate, but it is more common to be counsel for 1-4 years then make partner.

Can't speak for any other firms.

The PI lawyer / Client relationship is absolutely a symbiotic relationship which is actually mutually beneficial to the parties. If the PI lawyer is doing his or her job right it actually benefits the client far more than the lawyer.

I think the earlier posts which used the word parasite were referring to the meaning of the word used in the general conversation of normal human beings which has a negative connotation. But thank you for taking the time to look that up.

Firsty Mcfirst, how long did you work in a firm for? Were you nervous at all about taking such a variety of cases on your own? Who do you go to when you don't have the specific expertise to deal with the ins and outs? thanks!

Firsty Mcfirst, how long did you work in a firm for? Were you nervous at all about taking such a variety of cases on your own? Who do you go to when you don't have the specific expertise to deal with the ins and outs? thanks!

Not McFirst, but the best way to do it is to work out some type of arrangement with a small firm. Either get set up as "of counsel" or even just share office space within a group of practioners. These more experienced lawyers will often have some work they can give you and some referrals and also be a resource for you when you need it. There are hundreds of ways to do it. There is a book by Massachusetts MCLE on setting up your own shingle.

Mr. Lat: Can you fix the comment posting feature so people don't repost the same comment 50 times?

(going to double post this for good measure)

(not really going to, just hope someone else does to make it look like i did)

2:59(1) has it right. Read the full article on the Observer website, not just the blockquote.

The terminology doesn't matter. If you're not a full equity partner, with a management role and a share in the profits, you're functionally an associate (no matter how exalted your title, even "junior partner").

Also, how many of you have actually SEEN the movie? Anyone who has watched "Michael Clayton" would know that Clayton is bitter about his non-equity status (because he bitches about it). He is not happy about his position in the firm.

I'm a special counsel in biglaw. There's no difference from being a senior associate other than a few thousand dollars. I want to be partner, but probably won't, and no one tells me anything about my standing at the firm, which is not a good thing. Still working my ass off. No respect from co-counsel, opposing counsel, and for that matter, hardly any respect from the attorneys at my own firm. Pity is more like it. I would leave in a second if I thought I could get a job that pays the same. Problem is I probably can't. So for now, I'm stuck in purgatory.

Have you considered the many options available as a cocaine trafficker?

Why are the biglaw people and the PI people so angry at each other. Didn't you all go to law school together? Aren't you all friends?

I go to a Tier 1 law school and know pepole who will probably take both routes. They are my friends and will be my colleagues. What's wrong with us?

5:34, my friends from law school will remain my friends, but there plenty of assholes I wasn't friends with then, will not be friends with now, and will not be above judging for going into PI, (if any in fact did).

My firm has both special counsel and of counsel positions. They are essentially the same except that of counsel is technically still eligible for partnership (though because of the ever increasing logjam of people waiting to be put up, this isn't likely for many). Pay differs by person, but is generally lockstep for the first few years. Hours, bonus, and pay are all better than that of a senior associate, but not wildly so. It's not the worst gig in the world, but it's no dream job either. The worst aspect is that the title is a serious drag on the ability to generate the kind of business that would make partnership a certainty or a lateral move worthwhile. No company wants to send the type of high dollar/"bet the company" work to a "counsel" of any sort.

October 10, 2007 05:34 PM: You have it exactly right.

Moreover, none of you who are still in LS have a real clue about what different areas of the law are like until you try them on for a while.

When I was in LS I would have died if you told me I would ever try a criminal case, but would up doing just that for a few years, loved it, and got tons of jury experience before moving on the real estate litigation.

I have a great respect for ALL members of our profession.

Are there any forums that deal with people who are interested with private practice? I am two months into my 1L semester and know everything under the sun concerning biglaw and loyola2l's concerns.

When Lat says that "we" call special counsels senior associates, does the "we" refer to (1) people who don't know the difference between a senior associate and a special counsel because their only law firm experience was less than two years in the litigation department of an M&A boutique or (2) assholes who call anyone who has worked 5 or more years at a firm without having an equity stake senior associates? I could not be bothered reading past the second paragraph of the article and was hoping someone could summarize.

I am a junior associate at a large Skadden branch office. The office is big enough that I am not worried about "outing" myself by posting this. One Counsel here drives a brand new BMW M6. Another has a newish 911 Porsche cab. I am not an expert but I believe these cars cost about $100,000. That means these people are either financially reckless or are making some serious dough.

I wish everyone would remember that Lat washed out of BigLaw and the DOJ. There are a lot of goofballs who have good credentials but who can't cut it as lawyers. Typically, we call them "Harvard Grads." We should start calling them "Lats."

1. Lat was at Wachtell for more than two years.

2. The Wachtell litigators I have dealt with are plenty smart, despite the firm's focus on M&A.

3. Everyone who criticizes Lat's credentials should be required to provide their real name and their own background in the legal profession, so we can see whether they have the standing to criticize someone who spent five years in two very prestigious positions (WLRK and USAO).

why do people remain at cravath as "senior attorneys?" some have been senior attorneys for a while

nj

11:32: Presumably the money (without having to worry about bringing in business).

9:26: If you read the article, it's clear that Lat is talking about senior associates no longer on the partner track (like Clooney's character, who hasn't made partner after 15+ years).

People who have "worked 5 or more years at a firm," but are still on partner track, are a different kettle of fish.

10/10 9:21

I don't know about any online fora to help you figure out about legal practice outside biglaw, but here are some suggestions:

1. Talk to the adjunct professors at your law school. They may have useful experience or perspectives.

2. Go to Career Services and talk to the counselors there. They may have directories or lists of alumni who have been generous with their time to discuss career or job search issues with students and other alumni.

3. Ditto the alumni office.

4. If you are in a mega city, then check out the resources at the local prestigious bar association. Anywhere outside NY, DC, LA or Chicago, I wouldn't bother. They are filled with Harriet Miers-like drones. The NYC Bar Association is full of legal heavyweights, and justifiably, takes itself seriously. It has a lot of law student fora and programs.

5. Try the Association of Corporate Counsel for their student programs.

6. I went to law school in DC, and one day just picked up the federal yellow book and started calling attorneys in it. I learned a lot about their agencies and their jobs, and it helped me get a fantastic first job (albeit one that didn't help retire my law school loans.)

7. Find fellow alums in your area via Martindale Hubbell or other online directories. Keep your inquiries brief and respectful, and follow up with a phone call. Your success rate will be somewhat lower than with the alumni/career services contacts, but you can get interesting information that way.

8. Tell everyone you know that you want to learn about the reality of the practice of law. People, especially lawyers, love to talk about themselves. You'll be surprised at what you can learn.

. Lat was at Wachtell for more than two years.

As if staying with the same employer for 2 whole years is some type of accomplishment- In those two years (if it was 2 years) he did nothing but shuffle paper and read boiler plate language contained in insurance policies the size of a phone book- I doubt he has any real lawyer skills or has even conducted a trial before a jury.

I think it was more like three years. And he clerked for a year, so he came in as a second-year associate.

But why does anyone care what kind of lawyer Lat was? He's not one any more. He's a blogger/journalist.

Some legal journalists have attended law school, but most have not. With five or six years of experience, at a law firm and in government, Lat has more practice under his belt than Jeffrey Toobin, Jan Crawford Greenburg, Linda Greenhouse, etc.

Thanks for the great advice, 12:00 / snarkalicious.

2:57

You're welcome. I've employed these and similar techniques (not appropriate for new attorneys, however) to find jobs. As a result, I have had an interesting, but nontraditional legal career. Over the course of any career, the main thing is to try to expand your network and to keep it active and current. Don't wait until you are doing a job search to get back in touch with people. Recruiters will be helpful only as long as they think they can place you quickly in Biglaw or Bigcorporation.