Lawyer Wellness

Kid Stuff

Linda Rost was a research scientist in recombinant DNA technology before becoming an associate at Ropes & Gray in Palo Alto, Calif.

Dec 2, 2008 4:00 AM CST

Despite ‘Momification’ - Michelle Obama’s White House Role May Be a Career Plus

Now that she is about to become First Lady, one might think from news coverage that Michelle Obama’s abilities as a mother and her fashion sense are her most noteworthy characteristics. But despite what some are calling the “momification” of Michelle Obama, whether her new role is a career plus…

Nov 24, 2008 6:48 PM CST

More Attorneys Tweet in Twitterverse

Answering the question ‘What are you doing?’ (in 140 words or less) on a regular basis throughout the day obviously can blur the line between personal and professional life. But doing so on the Twitter.com social networking website is helping a growing number of attorneys build their law practices, reports…

Nov 12, 2008 9:07 PM CST

Laid Off By Thelen, Associate Happily Moves In-House

Being included among the 26 associates laid off firmwide by Thelen this past spring proved to be a blessing in disguise for attorney Anthony Kornacki. Tired of working every day with the number 8.66—his average daily billable hours quota to meet the firm’s 2,100-hour threshold—mentally emblazoned on his brain, the…

Nov 10, 2008 5:21 PM CST

Going, Going, Gone

Law firm vacation policies have always been a bit of a head-scratcher. Lawyers typically get three or four weeks of paid leave, though few find time to take full advantage of it.

Nov 2, 2008 3:15 AM CST

Seventy-Seven Percent

According to a recent survey of 351 New York University law students, the number who expect to make career sacrifices for a more satisfying personal life.

Nov 2, 2008 3:05 AM CST

A Little on the Side

Some solos work full-time jobs on top of their practices

Nov 2, 2008 2:00 AM CST

Q&A: Why I Burned My Harvard Diploma

Earlier this week, we learned about “Jack,” a self-described, but otherwise anonymous, 30s-something lawyer in D.C., who is blogging about giving up material excess for a simpler life. Jack agreed to reveal more about his motivations, but not any more about his identity, in the following Q&A: ABA Journal: Why…

Oct 30, 2008 8:45 PM CDT

2 Ga. BigLaw Partners Join No-Frills Firm

As a partner at Hunton & Williams, James Meadows billed his time at $650 per hour. Since moving on Oct. 1 to the no-frills law firm of FSB Legal Counsel, he charges half that amount. But the rate reduction is worth it, because of the flexibility the job offers, he…

Oct 29, 2008 9:59 PM CDT

Looking for Simpler Life, Lawyer Burns Harvard Law Diploma

Ever want to ditch the rat race? Burn your diploma and take a vow of simplicity? If you thought about it, but could never quite muster the courage to strike a match, you can live vicariously through “Jack,” a Washington, D.C., a 30-something lawyer who announced on his blog in…

Oct 28, 2008 8:11 PM CDT

Va. Law’s Class of 1990: Happy in their Careers, but Less So in BigLaw

Reports of unhappy lawyers tell of problems with depression, alcoholism, divorce and suicide. But the reports appear to be exaggerated, if the Virginia School of Law’s 1990 graduating class is any guide. A study finds the group is largely contented with their careers and their lives, albeit less so if…

Oct 15, 2008 5:30 PM CDT

Lawyers Want More Time, Less Stress, Not More Money

Asked what one aspect of their law practice they would change, if they could, 31 percent of the 300 large law firm and corporate attorneys recently surveyed by Robert Half Legal said they wanted a less stressful work life. And another 30 percent wanted to work fewer hours or increase…

Oct 7, 2008 5:03 PM CDT

Court Suspends Lawyer Who Ignored Discovery, Cited Billable Pressures

The Georgia Supreme Court has reprimanded and imposed a one-month suspension on a lawyer who said he ignored discovery requests in a 2006 case in part because he was dealing with stress caused by billable hour pressures. The court gave the limited suspension to Stephen Lee Stincer, citing mitigating factors…

Oct 7, 2008 3:43 PM CDT

New Law Firm Perk: Work Shorter Week Until Gas Shortage Ends

At least one law firm is responding to a temporary gasoline shortage in the southeastern United States by creating a new perk for staffers. Until the situation is back to normal, employees of Atlanta-based Balch & Bingham can work a four-day week, explains the Daily Report in an article reprinted…

Oct 2, 2008 6:10 PM CDT

More Law Firms Specify How Part-Time Associates Can Make Partner

Associates on flex-time or part-time schedules can consult official policies on how they can still make partner at an increasing number of large law firms. Fish & Richardson, Morrison & Foerster and Ropes & Gray all recently adopted or revised policies detailing the path to partnership, the National Law Journal…

Oct 1, 2008 11:56 AM CDT