Learning to Wait With Grace: The Art of Patience

I hate to wait. Really, really hate it. It depresses me, puts me in a funk, and sometimes makes me act irrationally. But, as a legal recruiter, I’ve started to accept the fact that waiting is a critical part of the process for myself as well as my candidates.

Hence, I learned that even the most fabulous candidates will take time to place and this is becoming especially true in our current market. To that end, I’ve provided a list of quotations below regarding patience. Give them a read, take a deep breath, and remember that good things come to those who wait!

“Patience is passion tamed.”
–Lyman Abbott

“Patience is the companion of wisdom.”
–St. Augustine

“Endurance is patience concentrated.”
–Thomas Carlyle

“The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not smashing it.”
–Arnold H. Glasgow

Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.

Going In-House: Look Before You Leap

I have recently spoken with several candidates who have expressed a desire to go in-house, and wanted to share some thoughts on making such a transition since I am a former in-house attorney. After several years of being a BigLaw attorney, I made the jump to go in-house at one of my firm’s clients, a very well-regarded private equity/investment management company. At the time, I wasn’t necessarily looking to make a move, but I didn’t think I should pass up such a great opportunity. After all, it had been ingrained in my mind that going in-house was the ultimate dream job for mid-level associates like myself. So, before I knew it, I had accepted my offer, given notice, and had started my new job as an in-house attorney.

I spent over six years at my in-house position, and feel very fortunate in that it proved to be an overall amazing experience. However, I think my situation was the exception to the rule as I have heard many horror stories that depict situations quite contrary to my own. The general thought is that going in-house means a better overall lifestyle, but that is not necessarily the case. In-house positions come in all shapes and sizes, and it is extremely important that you properly analyze each opportunity you come across because it can be extremely difficult to return to private practice, especially in this down market.

I recently wrote an article that discusses my experience as an in-house attorney because I wanted to help anyone thinking about going in-house understand the advantages and disadvantages of doing so before making that jump. Here is the link to the article: http://www.bcgsearch.com/crc/view-from-other-side.html. I hope you find it helpful!

Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.

Goodbye Thelen

There is something rather sad about the dissolution of Thelen Reid Brown Raysman this week. It’s not so much the demise of a good firm as it is the evaporation of part of my past. Graduating from law school in the late 90s (and focusing on IP law), Brown Raysman was one of the hot shot, new media practices in NYC. Dynamic, entrepreneurial, and at the cusp of evolving Internet law, the firm offered something really different to Manhattan legal practice — in addition to its decidedly West Coast feel. While I never practiced law there, I always enjoyed seeing it from afar (the firm operated out of the building behind my firm). It was almost like something “magical” to wish for later on in life (whether real or not). Moreover, when other IT/IP firms like Brobeck Phleger tanked, Brown Raysman held on in NYC, and I kept hoping it would keep holding on.

Today’s announcement of Thelen’s dissolution reinforces, however, the idea that nothing is forever in today’s market. It also forces me remember that a “firm” doesn’t make the magic. It’s people do. Brown Raysman’s folks will move on from Thelen’s walls, join other firms, and take their brand of practice somewhere else. I suppose little bits of the new media magic will be scattered around New York, at other firms, and to other cities. Maybe this isn’t so bad. As a practitioner of IP law, maybe this is a good thing. So, while I’m feeling sad that something important from my early days of practice is gone, I suppose there is an upside to all of this. Maybe it is time to move on — for all of us.

I told this to a friend of mine who was laid off today from another firm. She was talking about how good things were — what a good group it was — and how nothing can compare. Maybe that’s true, but maybe for some of those who are getting laid off, it might be time to move on. Take your magic elsewhere. I do believe that something good will come from all of this reshaping of national law firms. We just have to look for it and realize that we are part of it.

Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.

Weighing a Law Firm Offer?

A year or two ago, I happened upon an interesting questionnaire that NYU’s School of Law had on their website. The questionnaire was intended to assist associates contemplating full-time offers after their summer associate programs had ended. I thought it was a pretty useful tool and wished I could find something similar to send to my candidates who were considering a lateral move (because a lateral associate’s needs are often very different than those of a 3rd year law student)!

Then, last year, I was working with a patent litigation associate who had two offers from extremely different law firms (and to complicate matters, one was East Coast and the other West Coast). We talked at length about the two offers and ultimately revisited the initial reasons we had instituted the search to begin with. It was a very complicated decision for this candidate, and he spent a lot of time making pros and cons lists for each firm.

I realized my candidates could really benefit from a thorough offer analysis tool that would allow them to explore all aspects of the offer and their potential new firm. There are only so many moves that a lawyer can safely make in their career, and it’s important to look, look, look, before you leap.

Here is the article: Analyzing the Offer: A Questionnaire and Worksheet

Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.

Senioritis: Diagnosis and Treatment

I. Two Weeks More and I’m Free! But how can I possibly last two more weeks??

You’ve landed your dream job and you’re a mere two weeks away from leaving your current firm, taking that tropical vacation, and then making a fresh start at your new position. You feel exuberant, on top of the world, like you could do anything. There’s a bounce in your step and a playful smile hovering around your mouth as you begin cleaning out your office with unleashed enthusiasm. You’ve got Radiohead’s new album on and you’re making rim shots into the industrial sized trash can that would make Lamar Odom weep. The world is yours.

That is, until your intercom buzzes and suddenly your play time is interrupted by a junior partner needing some research done ASAP on a case you’ve already sent to the file room. Crashing back to earth, you sigh, push aside the legal detritus that’s accumulated onto your desk, and sign on to Westlaw. You’ve got senioritis, and you’ve got it bad.

Senioritis is a completely normal affliction that varies in degree; it’s power over you is directly affected by a number of factors such as (a) the excitement you have for your new job; (b) your desire to leave your current position; (c) the emotional roller coaster of your job search; (d) the fabulousness of your so-close-you-can-almost-hear-the-waves-vacation; and (e) the fact that you may be just plain worn out.

Continuing to do strong work in a job that you are ready to cast off is extremely challenging. Unless engaged in a trial or a deal that you’ve been working on for months, you’re more than likely to fall victim to senioritis. Senioritis is an affliction that results in feelings of ennui towards your normal routine coupled with a galloping excitement about what the next job/adventure will bring. But not to fear, there is hope! The important thing to do with senioritis is to diagnose it then treat it. Diagnosis is easy. Treatment takes some effort.

II. Part One: Diagnosing Senioritis

Ask yourself the following questions and any number of affirmative responses is a likely indication that you have it.

1. Has a certain malaise come over your attitude to current tasks?
2. Are you (unpleasantly) surprised when called upon and expected to engage in rigorous critical thinking and/or brain numbing document review?
3. Does your lunch time actually resemble a small party? That is, do your gather friends together, frequent a place with real silverware and perhaps enjoy an adult beverage?
4. Do you go to the gym when not reveling in special lunchtime parties?
5. Do you come in at 10:00 am?
6. Leave at 5:00 pm?

Now that we’ve established the diagnosis, let’s discuss treatment.

III. Treating Senioritis

The important thing to keep in mind when treating senioritis is that it’s temporary, and, generally, harmless. However, to ensure that there is no damage done to either your reputation or your networking relationships, bear in mind that it is your goal to leave your current firm with well-wishers and potential business contacts. You want to be missed. Not shown the door.

To do this, we recommend keeping in mind the following guidelines as you make your way towards the finish line.

1. Remember the original excitement that you had when you accepted your current position. At one point in time, it was your dream job.
2. Remember that your current firm invested in you and you developed your current, marketable skills under their tutelage.
3. Remember that you are still being paid. While supervisors understand and anticipate a certain amount of slacking off, it’s very important to complete the tasks that you’ve been assigned and to do them well.
4. Remember that “this too shall pass.” Senioritis is infamous for the death grip it can have over its victims, but again, it’s only temporary. You’re going to get through that last brief, last depo, last review of a purchase and sale agreement. Just hang in there!
5. Make the rounds. Now that you have some free time, use it to your best advantage. Pop in to offices, make some small talk. Chances are that people have been talking about your departure so beat them to the punch.
6. Thank people. Be sure to make your gratitude known to all the people that you’ve worked with during your time with the firm. Practice groups are like little colonies and it can be a difficult time when one of the members leave. Some folks may be taking on more work to cover you and a recognition of that fact goes a long way.
7. Be sensitive. While you are now starting a fresh chapter in your life, others are left behind slogging away. So, while a certain level of excitement is expected, be careful not to go overboard. Firms have feelings too. No tap-dancing on the conference table at your last calendar meeting.
8. Be proud. You’ve obviously done a terrific job at your current position which propelled you into the new one. Take a little time and think about all that you’ve accomplished. Remembering your achievements can also help any nervousness and fear about the next step. But that’s another article…..

Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.