In Part I of this post, I highlighted the kind of unsavory freelance assignment that even struggling solo and small firm lawyers should pass right by. In this second part, I’ll describe some of the red flags that should tip you off to a scam-job.
Is the assignment posted on Craigslist or an online freelance
Today is my birthday and as a present to myself, I’ve finally relaunched and supplemented the free materials originally posted on drop.io before it abruptly shut down in December (one of the drawbacks of a free service). These materials represent the first phase of a broader suite of offerings (also free) that I’ll roll out
According to this recent New York Times article on easing out the older generation of lawyers, the shelf life of a solo practitioner is 70 or 80 years old compared to 60 or 65 at big law. Even so, who wants to linger on past their prime like the party guest who wouldn’t leave?
In these uncertain economic times, many solo and small firm lawyers must struggle to make ends meet. Thus, they’re always on the look-out for side jobs to supplement their income. And while waiting tables or working as a barista in a coffee house are options, most new solos would prefer law-related freelance or per diem
Editor’s Note: For legal and appellate writers, Bryan Garner’s seminars are renowned. Not only is Garner respected by, and popular with lawyers, but he apparently commands enough respect by the Supreme Court Justices that they willingly shared with Garner their writing secrets. But how do Garner’s writing seminars stack up? I’ve seen them advertised before
Recently, I’ve been receiving daily emails like this one:
Hi Carolyn, My name is Mary and I’m a writer for (http:[omitted]. I’ve been following your blog lately, and because we write on similar topics, I thought you’d be interested in a recent article we published, “20 Alternative Jobs For Law School Grads”.
If you think
Can you start your own firm if you’re not entrepreneurially inclined? A few months back, I said yes. And now, as added confirmation, here’s an article from CNN about accidental entrepreneurs – folks who never intended to start their own businesses but wound up succeeding beyond their wildest dreams.
Take the story of Terri
Not sure about what to wear to a CLE or your summer internship or to argue a motion in court? As you know, our intrepid law student columnist (now-buried-in-finals) Huma Rashid has been covering the fashion beat for MyShingle for almost a year. But if you need more personalized advice about specific outfits, now
This recent post from the Harvard Business Review bemoans the loss of the executive assistant in the lower ranks at most companies, a phenomenon resulting from technologic advancements like voicemail and email and pressure to cut costs. However, as the article points out:
At very senior levels, the return on investment from a skilled assistant
As a solo, I can’t afford Ken Adams, ABA Legal Rebel and contract drafter extraordinaire. I know this because Ken himself has told me so when I’ve inquired about his services. Not arrogantly or bluntly, but matter-of-factly. After all, when you’ve written the definitive guide on contract drafting, you can pretty much command any