Lawyer thread

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by Jax Teller, Apr 8, 2015.

  1. Bo Pelinis

    Donor TMB OG
    Nebraska CornhuskersKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsBig 8 Conference

    Talk to an estate planning attorney in your state.
     
    Rise likes this.
  2. MORBO!

    MORBO! Hello, Tiny Man. I WILL DESTROY YOU!!!!
    Donor
    New York GiantsNew York YankeesAtlanta UnitedUCF Knights

    I would advise that you send me the money via Western Union so that I can clear things up and get it back to you tax-free. If it helps you make your decision, I am the former Prince of Nigeria, and my family was overthrown by a fascist dictator and killed my family.
     
  3. Jalen Rose

    Jalen Rose I'll allow it.
    Donor
    Missouri TigersChicago White SoxIndiana PacersIndianapolis Colts

    For the states I cover, I get 50%, which I share 33% of with another associate. He in turn gives me 33% of his fees.
     
  4. Tilly

    Tilly Souf Cack
    Donor TMB OG
    South Carolina Gamecocks

    I do family law so we go to trial fairly regularly. Have contested hearings (for temporary relief) all the fucking time.

    I get nothing on origination because my boss wants me working his big dick cases full boar as opposed to being distracted by some small time bullshit case that I'd be able to get. Still brought in a couple agreements if for no other reason than to build an avvo, etc rating for when people will start researching me. Of course I'm only a year and a half in, so maybe that situation improves once I develop more of a reputation and get get better clients.
     
    AUB and Gallant Knight like this.
  5. colonel_forbin

    colonel_forbin Well-Known Member
    Donor

    We have about 10 trials coming up in the next four months (small firm, 3 partners and me). However many of those actually go to trial, who knows, my guess is at least half.
     
  6. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
    Staff Donor
    Florida Gators

    Bar exam study is pretty shitty. Feeling very insecure. Hopefully my after July 4th cram will put me over the top, but I doubt I can really rely on that.
     
    Rise likes this.
  7. wes tegg

    wes tegg I'm a Guy's guy, guys.
    Staff Donor
    Atlanta BravesDenver BroncosChicago BlackhawksBirmingham LegionMississippi Rebels

    I also do insurance defense. Some trucking, but mostly general liability and auto. I've tried three jury trials this year and will probably finish with six or seven, based on my current calendar. I tried four last year.
     
  8. Jalen Rose

    Jalen Rose I'll allow it.
    Donor
    Missouri TigersChicago White SoxIndiana PacersIndianapolis Colts

    How long are your trials? (Applies to everyone)

    Ours usually run 4-6 days.
     
  9. wes tegg

    wes tegg I'm a Guy's guy, guys.
    Staff Donor
    Atlanta BravesDenver BroncosChicago BlackhawksBirmingham LegionMississippi Rebels

    3-4 mostly.
     
  10. Sammy Meatballs

    Sammy Meatballs DeBoer on the Floor
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideArsenal

    depends really. Average is 3-4. However I've had an 8 day slip and fall within the past month and a 10-12 day negligent security case coming up in the fall.
     
  11. Tilly

    Tilly Souf Cack
    Donor TMB OG
    South Carolina Gamecocks

    Merits, anywhere from 3 to 10. Contempt actions vary from a few hours to a few days.

    Lot of variation. In most cases equitable division should settle. You know about where the judge will come down and it's not worth it financially to litigate. Custody tends to be similar. The main topics of litigation are visitation, child/spousal support, and Attorney fees.
     
  12. El Tiburon

    El Tiburon Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida Gators

    On average, 10 trial days. Even our "short" trials are usually 6-7 days. But I do mostly medical malpractice defense work, so the dynamics are a little different in terms of the numbers of parties involved and the witnesses that get called. I'll be starting up my third trial in the last 6 months on Monday, and this one will probably last 6-7 trial days. My "holiday" weekend is fucked.
     
  13. Sammy Meatballs

    Sammy Meatballs DeBoer on the Floor
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideArsenal

    I'll have met every requirement for board certification by the end of this year other than the years in practice requirement. I did six last year, probably six more this year. We have a guy at our firm that averages about 12 a year but all he does is try cases. Six is about as many as I could do and still manage to handle everything else in my practice.
     
    wes tegg likes this.
  14. ARCO

    ARCO I wish I wasn't wearing this fucking shirt
    Donor
    Colorado BuffaloesArsenalDenver BroncosDenver NuggetsArkansas Razorbacks

    3-4 usually here. Have a 10 day at the end of this month. I do Plaintiff's work and usually try 2-4 a year.
     
  15. MORBO!

    MORBO! Hello, Tiny Man. I WILL DESTROY YOU!!!!
    Donor
    New York GiantsNew York YankeesAtlanta UnitedUCF Knights

    Workers' Comp. Our trials usually last a couple hours, MAYBE an entire day every once in a while.
     
  16. colonel_forbin

    colonel_forbin Well-Known Member
    Donor

    We had a worker's comp. case a couple months ago where the defense lawyer was trying it like a fucking negligence case. It lasted 3 days, AND we didn't even finish it. We decided to put it off until the third-party claim gets resolved since the employer would have a subrogation interest. The defense lawyer was doing his client a disfavor by going into everything, and we were just like dude, shut the fuck up.
     
  17. AUB

    AUB My apple crumble is by far the most crumble-est
    Donor TMB OG
    Washington CapitalsCarolina PanthersCarolina HurricanesAuburn Tigers

    :respek: time to start a NC/SC TMB divorce firm and take over the SEC. Lot of potential starter clients in the "stupid shit your wife/gf does" thread :rain:
     
    CoastalOrange likes this.
  18. MORBO!

    MORBO! Hello, Tiny Man. I WILL DESTROY YOU!!!!
    Donor
    New York GiantsNew York YankeesAtlanta UnitedUCF Knights

    I feel like workers' comp is such a special little beast that it should be reserved for people that only do comp. It's like the area of law that sits in the corner wearing a helmet and playing with it's dick while getting yelled at by the teacher.
     
  19. Ray McKigney

    Ray McKigney Feel my ubiquity
    Donor
    South Carolina GamecocksAtlanta BravesCarolina Panthers

    I was hired recently to do WC by a pretty well respected defense firm in SC. I've been involved in litigation/employment law in one way or another since I graduated from law school. I had 0 comp experience before joining this firm. You are correct about WC being a special little beast. I was really worried about losing all of my employment litigation practice, but have been able to transition pretty well, and am a part of the employment practice group and WC practice group.

    I am hoping that once I'm settled in, my practice will breakdown to about 60/40 WC/Employment litigation but most likely it will be 70/30.

    I don't really mind the comp world. But it is certainly a totally different beast.
     
  20. El Tiburon

    El Tiburon Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida Gators

    Does anyone else have a really hard time finding quality associates and paralegals to hire? I'm at the point where my expectations are so low that the only criteria I'm looking for is that the applicant be "not retarded." It's fucking crazy. And don't even get me started on work ethic issues.
     
    Jalen Rose likes this.
  21. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideSeattle MarinersAtlanta BravesNew Orleans Saints

    Paralegals, yes, but I'm not in any position to make hiring decisions. If there is a worse staff than what we have here, I'll have to see it to believe it.

    I am, literally, amazed that my paralegal still has a job.
     
  22. Gallant Knight

    Donor
    Arkansas RazorbacksHouston AstrosRice OwlsAston Villa

    what hours do you expect your associates to work?
     
  23. El Tiburon

    El Tiburon Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida Gators

    I'm willing to bet I have you beat.
     
  24. Big Meech

    Big Meech I like turtles
    Donor
    Clemson TigersJacksonville Jaguars

    We have no problem finding very smart folks who can sit at a desk and provide sound answers to legal questions. Finding someone who can do that and also has great social skills is difficult. Our best paralegals are young chicks straight out of college who we encourage to become paralegals after we have determined that they are smart and have a good work ethic.
     
  25. El Tiburon

    El Tiburon Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida Gators

    We have been (knock on wood) blessed to have a lot of work. There's only two of us in the firm, so we don't have a billable requirement per se. But honestly we're so damn busy that the billing takes care of itself.
     
  26. ARCO

    ARCO I wish I wasn't wearing this fucking shirt
    Donor
    Colorado BuffaloesArsenalDenver BroncosDenver NuggetsArkansas Razorbacks

    I'm at a two attorney firm, just my boss and I. And we have two paralegals. It can be a nightmare. Last year we went through about 9 people before we found two good ones. Good legal staff is worth their weight in gold.
     
    SmoochieWallace likes this.
  27. Jalen Rose

    Jalen Rose I'll allow it.
    Donor
    Missouri TigersChicago White SoxIndiana PacersIndianapolis Colts

    Jesus christ yes.

    We have literally resorted to a couple of kids on summer break from college to do odds and ends, scanning work, etc.

    All of our 2L and 3L hires have been disasters. Work ethic has been shit and they largely don't know what to do and don't want to know how to do it.
     
  28. Big Meech

    Big Meech I like turtles
    Donor
    Clemson TigersJacksonville Jaguars

    Many of our partners no longer want to have a summer associate program.
     
  29. El Tiburon

    El Tiburon Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida Gators

    We interviewed a potential associate who was leaving a big insurance defense firm a couple of months ago. The guy had been out about 7 years, though the first 5 were as a prosecutor. He literally asked us during the interview what our policy was about leaving early to go to happy hour. How the fuck does a 7 year lawyer not know better than to ask something like that?
     
  30. MORBO!

    MORBO! Hello, Tiny Man. I WILL DESTROY YOU!!!!
    Donor
    New York GiantsNew York YankeesAtlanta UnitedUCF Knights

    That's hilarious. But seriously, what is your policy?


    I assume your firm is in FL?
     
  31. El Tiburon

    El Tiburon Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida Gators

    There's no policy as such, other than don't drink at work and get your shit done. If you've busted your ass and gotten your work done, you can go home at noon for all I care.

    And yes, I'm in South Florida.
     
    wes tegg likes this.
  32. MORBO!

    MORBO! Hello, Tiny Man. I WILL DESTROY YOU!!!!
    Donor
    New York GiantsNew York YankeesAtlanta UnitedUCF Knights

    Having grown up in South Florida, I'm out. Good luck in your search. :heythere:
     
  33. CoastalOrange

    CoastalOrange Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Clemson TigersTennessee VolunteersBarcelonaUnited States Men's National Soccer TeamLiverpool

    Where the hell were all you fuckers when I was applying for jobs from August-February? I'm decently intelligent and work my ass off... Though seriously, what's the happy hour policy?
     
    941Gator likes this.
  34. Tilly

    Tilly Souf Cack
    Donor TMB OG
    South Carolina Gamecocks

    Where do you work in NC?

    And my work happy hour policy is back porch with firm bought beer a couple times a week if there is nothing pressing going on.
     
    wes tegg and AUB like this.
  35. MORBO!

    MORBO! Hello, Tiny Man. I WILL DESTROY YOU!!!!
    Donor
    New York GiantsNew York YankeesAtlanta UnitedUCF Knights

    Evaluation of CoastalOrange: "Not detail-oriented. Did not notice the answer to his question two posts above his own."
     
    wes tegg and CoastalOrange like this.
  36. MORBO!

    MORBO! Hello, Tiny Man. I WILL DESTROY YOU!!!!
    Donor
    New York GiantsNew York YankeesAtlanta UnitedUCF Knights

    I worked at a firm that literally went out to lunch every day, paid for by the firm. There were about 15 attorneys, and you could count on about 5-10 people going every day. It was really weird/awesome.
     
    Jalen Rose likes this.
  37. CoastalOrange

    CoastalOrange Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Clemson TigersTennessee VolunteersBarcelonaUnited States Men's National Soccer TeamLiverpool

    Haha, I saw it above with the "get your shit done and peace out whenever." Just trying to crack wise.
     
  38. AUB

    AUB My apple crumble is by far the most crumble-est
    Donor TMB OG
    Washington CapitalsCarolina PanthersCarolina HurricanesAuburn Tigers

    Wake County
     
  39. MORBO!

    MORBO! Hello, Tiny Man. I WILL DESTROY YOU!!!!
    Donor
    New York GiantsNew York YankeesAtlanta UnitedUCF Knights


    Addendum to Evaluation of CoastalOrange: "LIES!!!"
     
    CoastalOrange likes this.
  40. Tilly

    Tilly Souf Cack
    Donor TMB OG
    South Carolina Gamecocks

    Nice. Met a couple people in Chicago from NC last weekend.

    My boss is friends with Mark Sullivan up in Raleigh. We use him every time there's a complicated qdro or military issue.
     
    AUB likes this.
  41. CoastalOrange

    CoastalOrange Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Clemson TigersTennessee VolunteersBarcelonaUnited States Men's National Soccer TeamLiverpool

    OBJECTION!
     
    MORBO! likes this.
  42. MORBO!

    MORBO! Hello, Tiny Man. I WILL DESTROY YOU!!!!
    Donor
    New York GiantsNew York YankeesAtlanta UnitedUCF Knights

    OVERRULED, GOD-DAMNIT!
     
  43. MORBO!

    MORBO! Hello, Tiny Man. I WILL DESTROY YOU!!!!
    Donor
    New York GiantsNew York YankeesAtlanta UnitedUCF Knights

    I hated doing QDRO's when I was practicing family law. I also hated that one time a pedophile came in, retained us, and then I had to try to get him unsupervised visitation with his two 5 year old sons. NOPE - I resigned about two weeks after that.
     
  44. Tilly

    Tilly Souf Cack
    Donor TMB OG
    South Carolina Gamecocks

    Yeah qdro's are pretty shitty. Have to get the parties to agree on language, get approval from the plan administrator, get the court to sign off, then hope like hell there isn't some trap in erisa that'll fuck you over.

    Re pedos, never had a client that I truly thought was one. Had several cases where it's been alleged though. Maybe it'd be different if I thought someone was a true predator, but I've never lost a minute of sleep getting bad parents custody. The kids are names on a sheet of paper to me. Refuse to let it be anything more (I also don't have kids so that helps too).
     
    941Gator likes this.
  45. CoastalOrange

    CoastalOrange Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Clemson TigersTennessee VolunteersBarcelonaUnited States Men's National Soccer TeamLiverpool

     
    MORBO! likes this.
  46. MORBO!

    MORBO! Hello, Tiny Man. I WILL DESTROY YOU!!!!
    Donor
    New York GiantsNew York YankeesAtlanta UnitedUCF Knights

    Yea, this guy pled guilty to diddling his 5-y/o step daughter and did 4 years in the pen. Soooooo....
     
  47. Gallant Knight

    Donor
    Arkansas RazorbacksHouston AstrosRice OwlsAston Villa

    shit; i've only been to one happy hour in a year because i'm at work so fucking much. not a good question, but i get where he was coming from.
     
  48. Tilly

    Tilly Souf Cack
    Donor TMB OG
    South Carolina Gamecocks

    If he was playing mom less child support, she wouldn't have been able to buy her that sexy dora the Explorer shirt.
     
    El Tiburon likes this.
  49. SmoochieWallace

    SmoochieWallace Ipse dixit
    Donor
    Florida GatorsTampa Bay RaysTampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay LightningArsenal

    It took us 6 months to hire a replacement for a paralegal that took 2 years to fire.
     
    ARCO likes this.
  50. Jalen Rose

    Jalen Rose I'll allow it.
    Donor
    Missouri TigersChicago White SoxIndiana PacersIndianapolis Colts

    We used to go to lunch like every day in the summer and end up just staying and getting tanked at whatever bar we were at.

    Those were the days.