We are looking back into our collective crystal ball

71% of you love being lawyers.  The rest don't, split 50-50 between those who don't love being a lawyer generally, and those who didn't love being a lawyer on the day they voted. Take the time to vote on the latest poll too, more about that below. Thanks.


Last year, we polled our readers on their predictions regarding the economy and the legal employment market specifically.  Today, we are asking our readers to vote on a very similar poll .  When it is all over, we will compare the results and share with you.

New Year's Resolutions

No this post is not delayed because of technical difficulties and I know it is March and I know that my Valentine's Day themed survey has only a few days to expire. It so happens that I only now realized that I forgot to post the results of our January Survey--Readers New Year's Resolutions.  I know you are dying to hear the results, so here goes:

• 70% have resolved to find a new job! That is a whopping percentage and surprised me too.
• 40% have resolved to get new clients-- go get 'em.
• 20% have resolved to get out of debt.  A fine resolution.
• 40% have resolved to be more active in NYCLA.  An even finer resolution! I hope that means more hits on my blog too.
• No one has resolved to change professions. We do love being lawyers (don't forget to vote on the current survey)
• No one has resolved to make an investment (not even buy a new suit! the 70% looking for a new job, might want to rethink this one.)

These responses inform me that (1) we love being lawyers, but not necessarily our jobs; (2) we need to be more fashion savvy, especially since we practice in the fashion capital of the world; (3) maybe we will make some investments (maybe even in a new suit) after we find new clients and/or get out of debt.

NYCLA's Mentoring Program. lots of professionals, good advice and dare I say, swanky....

I am so excited about the 2011 Mentoring Program. NYCLA has put together the FIRST EVER bar association sponsored mentoring program for the second year.  We had the first meeting last night with a huge turn-out of mentors and mentees.  This year's group consists of 20 pairs! We had to whittle down the applicants (>150! we enthusiastically encourage reapplying) based on the success of last year's program.

The meeting featured an excellent introduction to career empowerment and mentoring from Elise Holtzman http://www.advocatesuccessgroup.com/blog/.  Following the meeting we met at our new monthly social gathering at the swanky, fabulously decorated back room of the Woolworth Tower Kitchen. http://www.thewoolworthtowerkitchen.com/photos.html  I love this place. I can't wait to come back. Thank you Shariff and Lou!

This program is really that good. In fact, we need to find a better name than just mentoring program to brand it. I am open to suggestions.

Big thanks to Bari, Zack, and the Advisory Board: Lew Tesser, Judge Laura Ward, Nancy Morisseau and my humble self.  This is going to be BIG!

NYCLA Recommendations Regarding Commission on Judicial Conduct Adopted by NYSBA

NYCLA announced on January 28 that the New York State Bar Association House of Delegates has adopted the major recommendations proposed by a report released by NYCLA’s Task Force on Judicial Conduct.

The NYCLA Report was prepared in response to concerns that the activities of the Commission on Judicial Conduct may unintentionally compromise the independence of the Judiciary and the widespread perception that many of the Commission’s procedures are at variance with the due process framework that is fundamental to our legal system. The new recommendations seek to promote judicial independence by bringing greater transparency to the way in which the Commission operates, and enhancing due process and the appearance of fairness in the Commission’s processes.

For NYCLA's submission to the to the NYSBA House of Delegates, click here http://www.nycla.org/siteFiles/News/News147_0.pdf

For NYCLA's Task Force on Judicial Conduct, click here http://www.nycla.org/siteFiles/News/News147_2.pdf

What keeps you up at night?

Everyone who responded to our survey was concerned about unemployed lawyers. Whether you are unemployed or not, the vast pool of unemployed lawyers is a concern to us all.  The next nightmare that kept people awake was offshore outsourcing--indeed, related to unemployed lawyers--below is a link to an ABA article by Debra Cassens Weiss about one law firm management member who is not kept awake at night by outsourcing. I wonder why not.....  http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/kl_gates_chairman_sees_outsourcing_as_gnat_in_an_elephants_ear/
Finally, readers are kept awake at night by civility (or lack thereof, one would assume).  Surprisingly, no one was losing any sleep over mandatory retirement and judicial independence. I wonder why.....

I have been remiss in my blogging duties this end of the year. Apologies for that, my New Years resolution is to step up my blogging and to enlist guest bloggers to share this platform, anyone interested? send an email to nyclablogger@gmail.com if you are.  For everyone else, check out the latest survey and let us know YOUR New Years' resolutions.