More Words of Caution About Your Presence on the Web

As we regularly discuss, things you say or do on the web now, may come back to haunt you later.

Non-Traditional Uses of Your Law Degree

Maybe you, too, can become a football coach...

1L Job Search

This article provides summer job search advice to 1L's in a tougher economic climate.

Manage Stress During a Job Search

Manage Stress During a Job Search
(taken from an article by Mary Jeanne Vincent)

Reducing and managing stress is one of the keys to a successful search.
Too much stress and you appear desperate. Not enough and people question
your motivation. Only you can decide how much stress is the right
amount! Here are seven steps you can take to significantly lower
stress, improve your effectiveness, and ultimately shorten your job hunt.

1. Have a realistic understanding of how long a job search takes. Many
job seekers have an unrealistic time frame for finding their next job.
It always takes longer than you think. When you don’t have a realistic
expectation for how long it can take it is easy to feel stressed out.

2. Develop a job search action plan. Map out where you want to go and
how you are going to get there. Set specific daily and weekly goals;
then develop a contingency plan for when Plan A doesn’t work. Once your
plan is in place and you are emotionally prepared – take action!

3. Reduce unnecessary expenses immediately. Minimizing financial
responsibilities and maximizing financial resources will significantly
reduce stress. This is not the time to go stress shopping. The greater
your financial resources the more flexibility you have to accept the
right job offer rather than grabbing the first one that comes along.

4. Think of your job search as a job. Consider putting specific job
search activities on your calendar and treat them like a job.

5. Spend time on the right activities. Do spend time developing high
quality marketing materials – like a résumé, cover letter, and reference
list; networking with friends and colleagues who can connect you to the
right people or opportunities; and following up with potential
employers. Don’t spend hours on the internet searching job boards for
the ‘right’ job. Instead use the internet to research organizations,
gain information about specific industries, and network with people who
can assist with your search.

6. Evaluate your progress on a weekly basis. Stay on top of your search
so that you can tell immediately if your search starts to stall and take
steps to get it back on track. Assess what is working – do more of it.
Determine what isn’t working and revise your approach. If you are still
stuck consider working with a career coach.

7. Take time to refresh your mind, body, and soul. Looking for a job,
especially when you don’t have one, is something you carry around 24/7.
Remind yourself to set regular office hours and knock off at a
reasonable hour. That includes taking time off on the weekends. Take a
walk, go to the gym, escape with a good book, or have coffee with a friend.

Networking Re-visited

As was discussed at the Bear Essentials session on the topic, Networking doesn't have to be difficult. MSN posted this article listing characteristics of great networkers - just as true for attorneys as it is for sales people.

New Lawyers Becoming New Moms

One of my classmates had three children in her first five years of practicing at a big firm. Some of you might also consider starting a family while starting your practice. This article offers some pointers.

The Job Search and Your Online Presence

Another reminder about the impact what you say online can have on your job search

Working Overseas

This article gives perspectives from several attorneys on how they found their jobs overseas and the differences they have encountered while practicing in another country.

Good News in a Not-So-Strong Economy

Many Baylor lawyers go to work in mid-size firms, and according to this article this economy could work to your advantage.

Managing Legal Assistants

Many of you will be in the position of supervising a legal assistant in the next few years. This can sometimes be a tricky situation as your assistant might have much more experience and be your parents' age. This article discusses how to approach managing your first legal assistant.

7 Things You Should Never Do in a Job Search

One of the top stories on the MSN homepage this morning was "7 Things You should Never Do in a Job Search." As many of you are thinking about the hunt for a job right now, these pointers are very timely.

Tips for the Job Search

Find resume and interview tips (including a podcast) from an ABA veteran in this article.

Law Firms & Pro Bono Work

The ABA has just published a guide for students to help determine whether the firm with which they are interviewing is committed to pro bono work. You can find a .pdf of the guide here and we have hard copies on the shelves in the Career Services Suite. The back of the guide even provides sample interview questions.

Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn...Oh My!

As social networking becomes more and more popular, here are some helpful pointers to keep in mind.

(And we will be doing a Bear Essentials event in conjunction with the MBA students addressing this topic November 13.)

Cash Tips for the Solo

This article discusses how to keep the cash flowing as a solo practioner.

Help for Public Interest Attorneys

The House has passed several loan repayment assistance programs that will assist attorneys doing public interest work. This chart summarizes the main provisions of the program. (click on chart to enlarge)

Top Law Firms for Women

Working Mother magazine has just released its annual ranking of top law firms for women. Find the rankings here and the methodology used here.

Interviewing Tips

Before going into an interview, think about how you would answer questions that are likely to be asked. Here is an article addressing one commonly asked question. You can find more commonly asked questions, as well as other interviewing tips, here.

McAttorney

Many students think they shouldn't include their first part-time jobs on their resumes because 'that work isn't applicable to working in a law firm.' These established attorneys found their fast-food customer service experiences were a great foundation for their future success in the legal profession.

Work Life Balance is Not a Gender-Specific Desire

This article discusses the trend amongst new attorneys - men & women alike - toward being more concerned about being able to spend time with family.

How to Become a Superstar Associate

See this article from the ABA along with a free podcast

How Spreading Sunshine Turns Into Making Rain

Getting involved in your community and developing relationships might ultimately benefit your career, too, as discussed in this article.

The Importance of Being People-Smart

A quote from this article on Relationship Intelligence:

“Most lawyers never make the shift from academic intelligence to relationship intelligence,” said Arnie Herz. “In my opinion, this accounts for the extremely high level of malaise and dissatisfaction that is plaguing the legal profession. At most law firms, academic intelligence is a given. Everyone is smart. Relationship intelligence is what helps you develop and maintain new business and sets you apart.”

Manage Your Staff

Find Part 3 of Kathleen Brady's Career Management Series here. (Just a hint: Discover the essential skill of delegation.)

Billing & the New Associate

Almost every attorney working in private practice will be responsible for keeping track of hours for billing purposes. This article from the Texas Lawyer discusses the best way to bill in order to keep both clients and partners happy.

Dress to Impress

We stress dressing appropriately for interviews, and summer associates should consider the entire summer one long interview. Whether for the summer or as a new associate, the way you dress can make quite an impression - for better or for worse - on your future employer and clients.

Avoiding Rookie Mistakes

This article addresses some mistakes made by new attorneys...but seems to be applicable regardless of how long you have been in practice.

Where will you fit?

Generational differences often surface in the workplace. Knowing how your perspective might be different from those around you will help smooth your transition and will make you a more effective colleague. This article discusses the issue and how you can successfully navigate it.

Manage Your Time

Find Part 2 of Kathleen Brady's Career Mangement Series here.

Is 'Going Solo' the path for you?

One Texas lawyer talks about the advantages of being a solo practitioner in this Texas Lawyer article.

Manage Your Life

The Law Practice Management Section of the ABA is running a 3-part Career Management Series by Kathleen Brady. The first, Manage Your Life, can be found here. Next month will be "Manage Your Time."

Message from the DOJ

There are exciting new developments in the Attorney General’s Honors Program and Summer Law Intern Program! Highlights include:

• An earlier application deadline and a faster review and selection process. The applications open on July 25th and close on September 2nd, 2008 (12:00 p.m. midnight, Eastern time; 11:00 p.m., Central; 10:00 p.m., Mountain; 9:00 p.m., Pacific).

• Four United States Attorneys’ Offices (USAOs) and the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) are hiring approximately 16 entry-level attorneys through the Honors Program. Due to the level of responsibility held by AUSAs, these opportunities are only available to applicants who are admitted to a bar or, in some cases, who have taken a summer 2008 bar examination with results due in fall 2008. Participating USAOs are:

ο The Central District of California, Los Angeles, CA.
ο The Southern District of California, San Diego, CA.
ο The Western District of Michigan, Grand Rapids, MI.
ο The Middle District of Florida, Orlando, FL.
ο EOUSA, Washington, D.C., with possible assignments nationwide.

• The USAO for the District of Wyoming is participating in the Summer Law Intern Program and offering a position in either Cheyenne, WY, or in Yellowstone National Park.

• The Honors Program application has been expanded to permit applicants serving in post-J.D. legal fellowships to apply online on a conditional basis.

PLEASE VISIT http://www.usdoj.gov/oarm/ FOR DETAILS!

Women in Leadership

In February, we addressed the subject of Women in Law in a Bear Essentials lunch. This article looks at the same subject, specifically leadership roles of women in the legal profession.

Client Billing

For those of you who will be starting your own practice or joining a small firm, collecting payment from clients might be one of your biggest challenges. See this article from Law Practice Today, a publication by the ABA Law Practice Management Section, on how to "manage billing so that you and your clients are happy."

Why Airplanes Crash

"Whenever I work with young lawyers for the first time, I tell them they only need to know the answer to one question: Why do airplanes crash? Usually, I get answers based on physics. But, no, airplanes crash because the junior co-pilot sees a blinking red light on the console, thinks if anything was wrong then surely the senior pilot would say something or act, and just as surely thinks to himself that he will not say anything that harms his career or gets him yelled at. So, the co-pilot says nothing and that's why airplanes crash. "

- Michael P. Maslanka, managing partner of Ford & Harrison in Dallas (From this article in Texas Lawyer)

Salary Issues Across the Board

As many of you look forward to graduation and grapple with salary issues, you are not alone. This ABA Journal article discusses the growing disparity in attorney salaries.

Top 10 Resume and Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid

Find excellent pointers for applying in the nonprofit job market here.

Law Practice Management for Young Lawyers

The Law Practice Management Section of the American Bar Association offers many resources to new lawyers. Find the resources available to you here.

Diversity in Law

Diversity is an issue at all levels - college, law school, and in the workforce. This article discusses the initiatives some law firms are taking to increase the number of minority attorneys. If this is an area in which you would like to be involved, you should discuss options available with prospective employers during the interview process.

Learning from Our Mistakes

Debra Bruce, an attorney and executive coach, recently wrote this article for the Law Practice Management Newsletter on mistakes attorneys often make in the business management aspects of their careers:

"How to Manage Your First Legal Assistant"

"When you hire or receive your first legal assistant, you may not know how to manage your legal assistant -- let alone yourself. This article is designed to give you some helpful hints for working with your first legal assistant."

Small Talk Your Way into Your Ideal Career

This article gives tips for making the most of what could be awkward situations, turning them into opportunities to develop key relationships.

Rainmaking

A big part of being a civil attorney is bringing business into your firm. This article discusses key qualities to develop to become a better rainmaker.

Changes in Timing of Summer Associate Offers

NALP has recently changed the guidelines that regulate when students must accept offers from firms. See this Texas Lawyer article about the changes.

HIV/AIDS LAW AND PRACTICE: FROM LOCAL CLIENT TO GLOBAL WORKFORCE

I posted about this in December, but just in case you missed it, this conference is in Dallas and is only $25 for law students:

HIV/AIDS LAW AND PRACTICE
FROM LOCAL CLIENT TO GLOBAL WORKFORCE

April 9 and 10, 2008
Hilton Anatole Hotel
Dallas, Texas
More Information

Register Now

The American Bar Association’s Continuing Legal Education (CLE) conference on HIV/AIDS Law and Practice: From Local Client to Global Workforce, will convene a dynamic group of lawyers, policy advocates, and public health experts from across the country to explore cutting-edge legal issues affecting people living with HIV/AIDS and the people around them.

The conference will include a business track covering key linkages among employers, employees and HIV, the critical challenges HIV/AIDS poses to small businesses and multi-national corporations alike, and the private sector’s vital role in combating HIV/AIDS at home and abroad. Ambassador Mark R. Dybul, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, will give the keynote address at the conference dinner on April 9.

Among other vital topics, conference workshops will examine:

What's New? Federal HIV/AIDS Initiatives and Proposed Legislation
Access to HIV Medications through Government Programs
Criminal Law and HIV: Current Trends and Enforcement
Immigration and HIV
State Responses to the CDC’s Routine HIV Testing Guidelines: An Update for Practitioners
HIV and Human Rights at Home and Abroad
HIV in the Workplace: Global Demographics in 2008 and Beyond
Labor/Management Collaborations: A Brave New World
Working Again: Issues Faced by HIV-positive Employees Returning to Work
Fighting HIV/AIDS: What Is a Corporation's Responsibility?

For more information and to register for the conference, visit the conference page on the Committee's Web site. Sponsorship opportunities available - see website for more details. Please direct questions or comments to the ABA AIDS Coordination Project via e-mail or telephone (202/662-1025).

Hanging Out Your Shingle in a Hot Practice Area

This article focuses on the increasing need for elder law attorneys but is particularly interesting in its commentary on successfully starting your own practice.

Financial Planning for Young Lawyers

For those of you getting ready to tackle post-school life, consider this advice regarding financial decisions.

Women in Law

For those of you who were unable to join us for yesterday's Bear Essentials Women in Law lunch, Sharla Frost's presentation can be found here. A big thank you to Powers & Frost for sponsoring the lunch and to Ms. Frost for coming to give such a wonderful presentation.

There is a reason we emphasize dressing professionally...

This article from the ABA Journal highlights the potential ramifications of dressing too casually in the workplace.

Unlocking Authentic Career Satisfaction

There has been a great deal of discussion in the legal community about work/life balance and finding satisfaction in your career. This interview with a career coach and the author of "The Creative Lawyer: A Practical Guide to Authentic Professional Satisfaction" is particularly interesting.

Institute for the Young Business Lawyer

The ABA Section of Business Law is holding its spring meeting in Dallas in April. The Institute for the Young Business Lawyer will be Thursday, April 10 and is free to law students. If you are interested in Business Law, this would be a great learning and networking opportunity.

Networking for Everyone!

This article from the ABA gives simple ideas for networking - even for you introverts out there.

End of the Year List

I am not going to create my own, but in honor of the new year, here is a list from the ABA Journal of "101 tips, tricks and tools to make you a more productive, less stressed-out lawyer."