Laid off attorney

[Anonymous]

OP, can you volunteer? Get out of the house, interact with adults, add something to your resume during this downturn.... Perhaps help counsel battered women on how to divorce their abusive husbands? Looking at the single moms forum there are many women who could use some legal help....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here--thanks again for the words of encouragement. To the PP, I am okay with the salary cut. I would still be contributing to retirement, savings, and most importantly in the event of an emergency I would have the security of being an active member of the workforce and not having to scramble for a job. Also, the intellectual stimulation and other intangible benefits are also important.

I think prior to having my son I idealized the life of a SAHM but now I see that even though it is immensely rewarding, it is not for everyone. And, I hate to admit this but I can not even vocalize to people that I am a SAHM. I always feel the need to relay that I am an attorney looking for employment. I guess part of me is embarrassed that I studied, excelled, and worked for so long and now I'm not using any of those skills. (Note, I am not trying to start a SAHM/WOHM debate. Everyone must make the right choice for herself and family).

OP, no need to be embarrassed about that at all. It's how you feel. I relate somewhat. I left a great law job that was a huge part of my identity and now I work from home. When I drop off my daughter at school I'm always in running clothes (I get my workout first thing in the morning and then shower and put in my billable hours), and some working-outside parents have noted that I'm "lucky" to have that time. I totally jump to say that I'm employed, and even though it's been a while, when someone asks me what I do I say "well I left this legal director job at so and so to start my own business doing similar work but from home. It's been so busy!" I don't even want to say "consultant" because it can be a euphemism, but really, it doesn't matter what I am. I know that. There's nothing wrong with full-time, at home business, stay at home parent, or anything other than maybe Fox News anchor. But the thing is, if you have come to identify closely with your education, training, work achievements, title as a lawyer, that's a huge factor in how you feel and how you ultimately decide to live your life. I think that a former SAHM who took a job out of necessity might very well answer "well I was at home with my son and I'm doing this job for a few months" because SAHM was her identity. It's not an insult to anyone else-- just a good indicator that your sense of self is wrapped up in being in the work force. And that is totally okay.

You seem like a really together person. It's a tough time, so hang in there and remember that it will work out.

Also, too: Department of Homeland Security is hiring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here--thanks again for the words of encouragement. To the PP, I am okay with the salary cut. I would still be contributing to retirement, savings, and most importantly in the event of an emergency I would have the security of being an active member of the workforce and not having to scramble for a job. Also, the intellectual stimulation and other intangible benefits are also important.

I think prior to having my son I idealized the life of a SAHM but now I see that even though it is immensely rewarding, it is not for everyone. And, I hate to admit this but I can not even vocalize to people that I am a SAHM. I always feel the need to relay that I am an attorney looking for employment. I guess part of me is embarrassed that I studied, excelled, and worked for so long and now I'm not using any of those skills. (Note, I am not trying to start a SAHM/WOHM debate. Everyone must make the right choice for herself and family).

I completely understand not wanting to say you are a SAHM right now. I actually think it's good that you say you are looking for work- you never know who might know about a potential job!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, may I suggest a different way of looking at things. I am the OP on the "I don't want my daughter to have my life style".
I know that your post is about finding work in a bad market, but try to think of this as time to look at other options like caring for your child. Perhaps consider having another child. This may be the right time to slow down. I have never had that chance, and my husband's income will not support us. I am the hardest working woman in my family. There is not a day that goes by when I don't think about not working. Since age 17 I have been at it. Went to work three days after being in a car accident (while pregnant with son) and returned to work 2 weeks after having daughter. It has been a complete drain.

This opportunity to be a mom might never come up again in this way.

Wow, you are certainly a buzz kill aren't you. You have made it clear that you life sucks and that you have regrets but stop please projecting on others. The OP is a grown woman who can make he own decisions.

[Anonymous]

Op, one additional suggestion, focus on networking, find someone who can get your resume in front of a decision maker at the agency that you are interested in or at least put in a good word for you. Get back in touch with your alumni network (you did not state the name of your law school, but it is likely that most powerful network that you have) and see if you can get any leads there.


If possible, talk to people at your old firm to see if they have any connections at the agency. You may also want to consider talking to a career counsellor they not only give tips but can provide contacts.

Good luck

P.S. I moved to a federal agency back in June and love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here--thanks again for the words of encouragement. To the PP, I am okay with the salary cut. I would still be contributing to retirement, savings, and most importantly in the event of an emergency I would have the security of being an active member of the workforce and not having to scramble for a job. Also, the intellectual stimulation and other intangible benefits are also important.

I think prior to having my son I idealized the life of a SAHM but now I see that even though it is immensely rewarding, it is not for everyone. And, I hate to admit this but I can not even vocalize to people that I am a SAHM. I always feel the need to relay that I am an attorney looking for employment. I guess part of me is embarrassed that I studied, excelled, and worked for so long and now I'm not using any of those skills. (Note, I am not trying to start a SAHM/WOHM debate. Everyone must make the right choice for herself and family).

OP, this is how I feel too! I always say I am an attorney but currently not working - not SAHM. I have been home over 2 years and feel a real loss of identity. I do get interviews but never get to the point of an offer. I feel like I've lost my edge a little. My advice is to keep plugging away. One thing i will say about those fed govt jobs - it is tough to take the time needed with each application while caring for a toddler, with little help otherwise. I am exhausted by bedtime and just don't have the energy to tailor each resume and answer 10 KSA's. I think you need to have some help to be able to apply to those or it has to wait until preschool

[Anonymous]

is EVERYONE on these forums an attorney from a top school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:is EVERYONE on these forums an attorney from a top school?

No! I am in policy, not an attorney. I just love the attorney/lawyer mom threads because they are always about balancing work and momhood so they appeal to me.

Plus, my organization and industry is similar to law in that it takes some legwork and negotiating to get some flexiblity, but I think I am managing pretty well.

I wish OP best of luck in finding something. I can relate to a lot of what she said about SAHM. I was never a SAHM, but once I got pregnant I couldn't imagine leaving my child with someone else, so seriously considered it and always had it in the back of my mind during maternity leave. But once we got good child care sorted out, and I didn't have that stress, I have found I love being a working mom. Flexibility is key though, I could not be happy working long hours and without the help and partnership of DH.

It sounds like a lot of moms - even in a notoriously unfamily-friendly profession such as the law, have found a way to achieve some balance. I think the more moms (and dads, definitely) who can model this will make it easier for everyone and hopefully for our kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, one additional suggestion, focus on networking, find someone who can get your resume in front of a decision maker at the agency that you are interested in or at least put in a good word for you. Get back in touch with your alumni network (you did not state the name of your law school, but it is likely that most powerful network that you have) and see if you can get any leads there.


If possible, talk to people at your old firm to see if they have any connections at the agency. You may also want to consider talking to a career counsellor they not only give tips but can provide contacts.

Good luck

P.S. I moved to a federal agency back in June and love it.

I agree with this advice about networking -- especially the point about talking with people at your old firm. In my experience THAT's your most powerful network, especially if your firm maintains an on-line database of alums. I know my former firm has an alumni portal right on the website, and you can search by city. (To truly search my firm's network well -- sorting by current employer/agency -- you need to be a current employee, so I've had my friends who are still there run some searches.) Anyway, if you haven't done so already, check with your firm about their alumni networking resources. Each firm has things set up differently. And above all else, don't be shy about contacting firm alumns in various agencies, even if you don't know them and never overlapped with them at the firm. In my experience, people are very generous with their time and help.

Finally, I agree that a career counselor could be useful. There are even coaches in the DC area who specialize in working with lawyers and understand the unique quirks of the profession. It's pricey but even a few hours of consulting help can be very helpful. Try Google for names.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, one additional suggestion, focus on networking, find someone who can get your resume in front of a decision maker at the agency that you are interested in or at least put in a good word for you. Get back in touch with your alumni network (you did not state the name of your law school, but it is likely that most powerful network that you have) and see if you can get any leads there.


If possible, talk to people at your old firm to see if they have any connections at the agency. You may also want to consider talking to a career counsellor they not only give tips but can provide contacts.

Good luck

P.S. I moved to a federal agency back in June and love it.

I agree with this advice about networking -- especially the point about talking with people at your old firm. In my experience THAT's your most powerful network, especially if your firm maintains an on-line database of alums. I know my former firm has an alumni portal right on the website, and you can search by city. (To truly search my firm's network well -- sorting by current employer/agency -- you need to be a current employee, so I've had my friends who are still there run some searches.) Anyway, if you haven't done so already, check with your firm about their alumni networking resources. Each firm has things set up differently. And above all else, don't be shy about contacting firm alumns in various agencies, even if you don't know them and never overlapped with them at the firm. In my experience, people are very generous with their time and help.

Finally, I agree that a career counselor could be useful. There are even coaches in the DC area who specialize in working with lawyers and understand the unique quirks of the profession. It's pricey but even a few hours of consulting help can be very helpful. Try Google for names.

Good luck!

OP, if you are interested I can privide a reccomendation for a counsellor. I am the poster who switch to a govt agency a few months ago.

[Anonymous]

where can i eventually find a real estate law job with the feds? not the time to be looking in real estate given the tons of folks who are already laid off flooding the marketplace, and I can't afford the pay cut yet regardless, but sooner or later i want a "40" hour workweek where you spend all day reading the newspaper and goofing off on the internet and maybe spend an hour or two of real work a day. no clients, no billing, no stress. gonna love it! are the offices and support staff nice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, one additional suggestion, focus on networking, find someone who can get your resume in front of a decision maker at the agency that you are interested in or at least put in a good word for you. Get back in touch with your alumni network (you did not state the name of your law school, but it is likely that most powerful network that you have) and see if you can get any leads there.


If possible, talk to people at your old firm to see if they have any connections at the agency. You may also want to consider talking to a career counsellor they not only give tips but can provide contacts.

Good luck

P.S. I moved to a federal agency back in June and love it.

I agree with this advice about networking -- especially the point about talking with people at your old firm. In my experience THAT's your most powerful network, especially if your firm maintains an on-line database of alums. I know my former firm has an alumni portal right on the website, and you can search by city. (To truly search my firm's network well -- sorting by current employer/agency -- you need to be a current employee, so I've had my friends who are still there run some searches.) Anyway, if you haven't done so already, check with your firm about their alumni networking resources. Each firm has things set up differently. And above all else, don't be shy about contacting firm alumns in various agencies, even if you don't know them and never overlapped with them at the firm. In my experience, people are very generous with their time and help.

Finally, I agree that a career counselor could be useful. There are even coaches in the DC area who specialize in working with lawyers and understand the unique quirks of the profession. It's pricey but even a few hours of consulting help can be very helpful. Try Google for names.

Good luck!

OP, if you are interested I can privide a reccomendation for a counsellor. I am the poster who switch to a govt agency a few months ago.

Sorry about the spelling errors, would you believe that I draft legal docs for a living.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:where can i eventually find a real estate law job with the feds? not the time to be looking in real estate given the tons of folks who are already laid off flooding the marketplace, and I can't afford the pay cut yet regardless, but sooner or later i want a "40" hour workweek where you spend all day reading the newspaper and goofing off on the internet and maybe spend an hour or two of real work a day. no clients, no billing, no stress. gonna love it! are the offices and support staff nice?

Have you been a lawyer in the government? How do you know that is what it's like? Goofing off, etc.?

Can you get accepted to law school- i.e., have you taken the LSAT? What was your score?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:where can i eventually find a real estate law job with the feds? not the time to be looking in real estate given the tons of folks who are already laid off flooding the marketplace, and I can't afford the pay cut yet regardless, but sooner or later i want a "40" hour workweek where you spend all day reading the newspaper and goofing off on the internet and maybe spend an hour or two of real work a day. no clients, no billing, no stress. gonna love it! are the offices and support staff nice?

Have you been a lawyer in the government? How do you know that is what it's like? Goofing off, etc.?

Can you get accepted to law school- i.e., have you taken the LSAT? What was your score?

umm, I'm an attorney like everyone else here apparently. 96th percentile LSATs. I just don't like working hard and that is what I will do (or not do) once I get a fed job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:where can i eventually find a real estate law job with the feds? not the time to be looking in real estate given the tons of folks who are already laid off flooding the marketplace, and I can't afford the pay cut yet regardless, but sooner or later i want a "40" hour workweek where you spend all day reading the newspaper and goofing off on the internet and maybe spend an hour or two of real work a day. no clients, no billing, no stress. gonna love it! are the offices and support staff nice?

Have you been a lawyer in the government? How do you know that is what it's like? Goofing off, etc.?

Can you get accepted to law school- i.e., have you taken the LSAT? What was your score?

umm, I'm an attorney like everyone else here apparently. 96th percentile LSATs. I just don't like working hard and that is what I will do (or not do) once I get a fed job.

I don't believe you (re: being a lawyer). If you actually have a law degree, I don't believe you will not be able to get a federal job and if you do you will be fired during the probabtionary period (like people in my office have been who haven't worked hard).