(no subject)

[vicarz]

I said to myself I was going to stop spending so much time on LJ.

Work blows, and I no longer have any uncertainty about leaving. Now it's just a question of figuring out where to go - and if I should include private law as a possibility besides government. Am I good enough for private law at all, or am I really just better off spending half my time on email and LJ? That sort of life disruption really sucks - I'm all about security, so having to uproot myself hurts.

I got up this AM and there was no cold water. I then started on my homework (after being up the prior night reading it as well) to find I was cut off of westlaw. Oh what a fucking day.

In boxing today we are supposed to spar with the coach, who a short time ago said he couldn't spar with us anymore as he's ring-training and can't pull punches. I want to learn to box better, but oddly enough I'm really not into this enough to want to get hit. Since my goals don't include ring-fighting, I think it will be silly to walk around with black eyes. I'm scared :(

and with work sucking I'm wanting to spend more time with friends, but finding I have to much work to do to do much of that, even though it's summer. I'm whining on LJ, for fuck's sake.

Notice I'm not even thinking of going to pride.

Comments

[anarcha.livejournal.com]

You can try private law, but (much like law school), it's very easy to get trapped. The money is so much that you can easily rationalize staying for another 6 months, and another 6 months, etc.

I know you've had bad experiences in the gub-mint -- I think you'll have worse experiences in private law, but for different reasons.

Basically, working in big law involves a delicate social dance. People are as manipulative (or more) in biglaw as they are in the gub-mint, but I think they're smarter and more subtle about it. I get played for a fool regularly, and I just have to stomach it and move on.

Also, biggest difference between private and government. You really have little control over your schedule, and you have to accept that. You will regularly have weekend or evening plans, and then have to cancel at the last minute. Eventually, you just give up on making plans -- it's easier and less stressful that way.

I think private law can best be explained as a repeat of the law school experience, except that you don't get to pick the courses you take, and final exams happen at unexpected times.

Also, I think biglaw is less a case of "am I good enough" and more a matter of "am I tolerant enough."

[vicar.livejournal.com]

I've never considered a large law firm, and frankly my grades don't afford me the opportunity. I was thinking small to mid if anything - do your comments apply there as well?

My problem is that I'm at a government income now that allows me to make a decent amount for normal hours. Maybe that's not a problem?

[anarcha.livejournal.com]

I don't know *that* much about small law firms, but my sense is that you're doing much better where you are now. The small law firms that I'm aware of have hours better than what I work, but worse than what you're used to. And my sense is that right now you're probably making as much or more than you would make at small law.

I guess the exception might be if you found a small law firm that focused on employment law -- you could probably start at a low salary, but advance fairly rapidly. If that's what you want.

[translucent-eye.livejournal.com]

I have a small law firm as a client and have watched them grow over the last five years. I'd tell you the hours when I'm there and run into the various lawyers and paralegals - but it would depress you.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

It might make me happy to stick with the government.

[greatevil.livejournal.com]

The power of LJ brings you a pointless ::HUG::

Change is hard. Change is good. Don't be the guy stuck in a job he hates just to be "safe" take the leap and try to find the right place.

[littlekitty78.livejournal.com]

I thought about giving you a call bright and early for some relieve brunch or something... I drove up to Arlington to see mom and have my hair done, but I thought you'd already had plans. I still should have called.. damn me!! ;)

[lilu22.livejournal.com]

I went to pride and I had fun. I even dragged Kris into it later, after I had my womyn fill.