The Plight of Lawyers

I've been thinking about the "plight" of lawyers: working harder, longer hours, tackling difficult, more complex questions than the business people we work with, but getting compensated at a much lower rate.

If it is true, what is the counter balance benefit that allows us lawyers to continue?
If it is true, why does it happen?
Is it because we don't add value, rather we bog matters with more complexity adding more work for others?
Is that what the business people think, is it true?

Is There A Privacy Expert In The House

I recently attended an online privacy debate/discussion presented by Gotham Media at Frankfurt Kurnit.  I want to thank both of them for putting this type of program together: a mix of legal and non-legal and very cutting edge. Unfortunately, I left unsatisfied.

Each panel member was smart and specialized (government lawyer, Wired editor, journalism professor and ex-Microsoft lawyer) and the conversation was lively for the most part.  But, the panelists appeared to generally agree that (1) people want more privacy, (2) consumers need to be protected online (from advertisers? others, besides crooks? not sure who), and (3) the government is the entity that should police privacy.

I left the talk unsatisfied because I don't agree with any of those premises. (1) my public online presence is something I chose and am happy with, (2) I much prefer to get ads targeted to what I am looking for, especially if it includes a better price--I don't like to window shop, and (3) the discussion centered around privacy regulations that remain on the drafting boards since 2000. Social media and sharing sites (facebook, twitter, foursquare, flickr etc) were, of course, not even around in 2000. Which begs the question, who is writing the regs and do they have enough of an online presence to understand social media?

I prefer to be vigilant (not necessarily restrictive) about my own settings, so I can benefit from sharing and what is shared on my terms.


I am not a privacy lawyer, it is just an area of interest to me. If anyone can set my understanding straight, please comment, I would be grateful to hear why I am misinformed.

Musings on Mentoring

The next poll that I am going to post is about mentoring. I am truly curious as to the extent that successful lawyers have been mentored (sponsored, supported--whatever you want to call it) along their career path to their success.  A lot of discussion is currently being had on the need for more mentoring of young attorneys, but I don't recall any conversations in my ten years of talking with senior lawyers about their positive experiences with mentors. Is it just that my conversations with senior lawyers have been so narrow?

I wonder if lawyers will admit to each other (especially lawyers to their junior) that they receive help along the way.

Let's see if the poll reveals anything. Comments are welcome too. Both are anonymous.

Survey results: Should lawyers be less business minded?

That is the question I asked myself after tallying the latest blog poll. It appears that 63% of respondents believe that lawyers today are too business-minded. I find that striking, especially in today’s economy when people are struggling to make a living. Is it unprofessional for lawyers to be concerned about your business objectives? I would think not, but I would love to hear from some of the respondents who think otherwise.

Rounding out the poll, 18% of respondents think that lawyers today are too academic with the remaining 18% responding that lawyers have a achieved a good balance of both business and academic concerns.

Take the time to vote on the latest poll too (on the left of the screen). Thanks.

Congratulations Barack Obama!

Now the election is out of the way and the fun begins to see how the brilliant campaigner assembles brilliant minds to work through, slog through the problems facing our nation. I am glad Obama (like me--see my earlier post) is thinking of Lincoln at this time in our nation's history: “We are not enemies, but friends — though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.”

Good Luck Mr. President-elect!


p.s. nice concession speech from McCain too; alluding that we can all work together. (A very smart seven-year old even asked me whether there might be a place for McCain in an Obama cabinet; I explained why it was not likely).

p.s.s. and thanks to new readers for participating in the polls. This is the end of the political side of this blogger, next post -- back to PROFESSIONALISM