Say EEO
Are you applying for everything you can? If I were an out of work lawyer, I'd hit every "traffic ticket clinic" and divorce mill in town before I'd not work. Are you maybe being to picky? How about public defenders agencies? Some of this stuff is pretty unappealing, but so is what you're going through. The way to most decent professional jobs like law is networking, but you have to be in the workforce to make the right contacts.
Just a few suggestions, Good Luck.
I'll say it for her.....
BITE ME!
First, in response to diehard speaking on my behalf,
BITE ME DIE GUY!
Having dealt with that, yes in some respects I am being picky. I know what I am good at and what I suck at. (please don't) Many posts ago, on one thread or another, I expressed the fact that I am not a good litigator. I become way too emotionally invested in cases unless the client is absolute scum. The low-lifes, male and female, usually took issue with my assessment of their reality and did not retain me. I advised one potential client--male-- who came laden in more gold and jewelry than a Tiffany window, no, $50 a month is not excessive for the support of a child you should actually be paying a lot more! I told another who protested that as the mother she should not have to pay child support, that yes, when women abandon their children, they have the same obligation to support them as men. Family law doesn't pay squat unless you are with a large or well-established firm.
As a crime survivor, I cannot envision myself representing criminals. I have tried to become a victim advocate, not hired. Many areas of law, copyright, patent, securities, in today's market, want attorneys with additional expertise, bachelor's in chemistry, engineering, physics, CPA, etc.
You are right, I need to do some serious networking and make some decent contacts. A few of my former classmates are practicing here in Austin, earning beaucoup bucks, but I am so embarrassed and ashamed to be in these circumstances, I haven't called them. Stupid, yes. Pride should not inhibit me from asking them for help, and I plan to do just that.
Actually, I am not someone who should be having a hard time finding a job. Despite the "attitude" reflected in some of my posts, I have great interpersonal skills, and get along with most people at all levels of an organization. I am not projecting a negative attitude at interviews, but probably do come across as very anxious to please and needy. My appearance is well above average--attire, grooming, and I have a decent looking resume. I am going to attend some workshops at the local workforce center to see if they can give me some feedback. Past experience with those centers has not instilled me with much confidence that they can help, but I am in a new geographical area, they may be more resourceful and sophisticated in their methods than the others.
There you have it; I agree, I need to reevaluate my situation and broaden the scope of jobs I apply for. I also appreciate the suggestions offered and welcome any more.
Well, for one thing, you can't compare family to criminal matters. The assessment I gave my family law clients was based on the information they provided.
With regard to the Duke debacle, again, I have not, do not want to practice criminal law. An attorney doesn't know whether people seeking representation in criminal matters are innocent or not when they walk through the door. Even if we advertise that we will only represent the innocent, the office will end up chock full of criminals. I have met few, maybe one person, convicted of a crime who I believe was innocent, but they all claim they were wrongfully convicted or accused. All also found Jesus while incarcerated and many become ordained ministers.
Re Duke, I believe Nifong thought he had a solid, legitimate case at the outset. He should have waited until he knew more but didn't. He should have explored the "victim" and witness credibility, didn't. He went way too far without knowing the facts. He broke the rules of evidence, violated the Code of Professional Responsibility, he ruined his reputation and career seeking a big win. Yet another example of why I do not want to practice law. I have been lied to by witnesses, clients, opposing counsel, judges make insane, arbitrary decisions, it sucks. One cannot make a living representing only the righteous. One would be hard-pressed to find them.
I was raised by a father whose word was more reliable than any written contract. He had integrity and strong values. I am a chip off the ole block. Ergo, the traditional practice of law is contrary to my upbringing and moral code. There a few areas of law where ethics aren't always a negative, those and other non-traditional uses of a law degree are best suited for me.
Hello!
You know in reading thru. this thread, a fantasy that came to mind for me is that the 2 of us could pool our resources together & somehow work to represent people who have been fubarred by Fu*%&ng bullies!!!
If this seems out the blue for people, I most frequently post on the Workplace Bully forum, due to my own situation with one of the slyest, slimiest bully bosses ever!!!! I unaffectionately refer to her as " WCRS"-- which is Warm Cuddly RattleSnake, since she is extremely skilled & effective at being the Queen Jekyll/Hyde of our University! Ok, some might think that statement is extreme, being the "Queen" & all, but I don't know...she is a highly intelligent & very emotionally/psychologically damaged woman! And, you'll appreciate this, WCRS is the Director of our University Counseling Center. Yep! We should call ourselves, "The Counseling Center: Where Cruelty Abounds, Fornally Known as the Caring Place" See, she wasn't always our director, & won't always be!! Btw, she once said in regard to herself, WCRS: "If I really thought I've done all the (horrible) things people say I have, I couldn't live with myself." You know what my response is to that??? Well, come on woman!!! Let's get with that self awareness, & thus, if doing yourself in is where it leads you...hey, do what you gotta do!!!! That's what I say in regard to this vicious, cruel WCRS!!!
My main intention btw, in posting, was really to let EEO_Atty, that I really wish there were a way she & I could team up & do good in this world by helping targets & whomever else are in need of advocacy.
I'm not an attorney. I'm a counselor, in case anyone was wondering...
In Solidarity,
Shellter
Hey, I just emailed you.
Your WCRS sounds like my (former) boss's exec. secretary. I've mentioned her. She drove away all of our receptionists. We especially could not keep any who were racial minorities. She was/is a huge bigot. She always told me that "I don't have a racist bone in my body!" Talk about protesting too much. The woman probably has a big white cone-hood and cape in her closet.
Of course, now her uppence has come with the lung cancer.
Will be back in a bit.
EEO,
This isn't helping you. Don't sit around and thinking about tilting at windmills. The windmills always win. You just need to find something that pays on a regular basis. Don't go into interviews with a lot of ethics, they want to hire lawyers! Hide the ethics and go to work. Once you're working, you can try to find something that really suits you.
Hi Cool!
Is it really cool in Florida? It is miserably hot and humid here today!
No, I know I cannot afford to tilt at windmills, though I sometimes feel as though I am dangling from one that no longer rotates. Shellter is much like me, and would like to change the world into a kinder, gentler place, especially in the workplace. We have established a friendship outside these boards.
Yes, I just need an income! Discarding my integrity upon entering the office door would be very, very difficult for me, however. It was my ethics and sense of justice that got me into this mess on my previous job, those silly employment laws, rules and regulations that I thought I was supposed to enforce. What was I thinking?
I just submitted an application for a job that would be the next logical step up from my last position with an excellent organization. It is one of the few in the private sector I believe I would like, one touted to be on the "best places to work" list. (Clearly, it is unlikely I could be so lucky!) Actually, I am a good fit, and it is very close to where I currently reside. It also has several divisions and locations nationwide, which would provide future opportunities to get the hell out of TX before I end up a melted puddle on the hot pavement. I wait and hope.
I am also working on another idea. The shelter where my kitties currently reside recently hired a manager (it is a newly created position). The shelter is non-profit, primarily staffed with volunteers. New manager resigned before she started. I did not apply previously, I know the owner, she knows I would continue to seek more appropriate employment. Now, she has to see if the other two candidates previously considered for the job are still available. The pay is very low, $21K/year, no benefits.
The upside: it is only 10 miles from where I reside, I would be able to job hunt while at work, I would not have to suit up-- could wear jeans and shorts, and of course, any income is better than 0. I may be able to convince her to hire me during the interim or indefinitely while she looks for someone permanent who will actually show up for work. (novel concept) She knows I love the animals and would be reliable. Since I am staying with someone else, any contribution I make to household expenses would be appreciated, but I could save most of the paltry salary. I could save enough to get my license/bar card active and maybe obtain my HR certification (SPHR) which would also be a great benefit in job hunting.
Also, it would also be a real "management" job to put on the resume. The res says my current position is consultant. What it does not reflect is that I am not receiving any income for it. I need to talk to the shelter owner and propose all of the above to her. Any port in a storm, you know.
Otherwise, I keep applying for whatever I find that is remotely related to my background.
When I win the lottery or marry a wealthy man, (I need to meet our perennial gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman) I will have the luxury of being a do-gooder. (however, I can still try to help people when possible)