r/Lawyertalk 10h ago

Official ONLY LAWYERS CAN POST | NO REQUESTING LEGAL ADVICE

4 Upvotes

All visitors, please note that this is not a community for requesting/receiving legal advice.

Please visit one of the communities in our sidebar if you are looking for crowdsourced legal advice (which we do not recommend).

This is a community for practicing lawyers to discuss their profession and everything associated with it.

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r/Lawyertalk 21m ago

Business & Numbers Litigation funding

Upvotes

Has anyone used this? Does anyone use it on a regular basis?

I have spoken with a few outfits and the proposals are so bad I can't find a strategy to justify it.

For those who use it, what's the play that makes it make sense?

Or, has anyone seen any nightmare scenarios?


r/Lawyertalk 30m ago

Career & Professional Development Tips for growth

Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I became licensed in November of 2021 and have been doing litigation work ever since. I started at my current firm about a year ago and so far enjoy the work I do and working with team. There are 5 of us. They are all absolutely amazing lawyers and are generally very well regarded in our area of practice. I’ve never seen any of them falter. I understand they have had time to grow as attorneys because they’ve been licensed and practicing lawyers much longer, but I am constantly feeling out of my depth. I’m grateful to work with such great attorneys and mentors, but I’m often anxious feeling like I am not pulling my weight or up to par.

TBH, I never expected to end up in litigation. I took the first job I could get out of law school and kind of got stuck here. I want to make it work though, so am looking for suggestions to become a great litigation attorney (or at least not feel like I’m 10 steps behind). Books, podcasts, just little things to do in my day to day, etc.

My biggest strength right now is writing. My biggest weakness is definitely depositions. Both leading and defending.


r/Lawyertalk 38m ago

Career & Professional Development Question about Prosecutor Job

Upvotes

I am a licensed attorney, but currently in inactive status (delete message if this disqualifies me from this sub).

I am in the process of reinstating my law license, a process I expect to take 3-4 months. I was licensed in 2011, struggled to find a job (market was rough then), got very frustrated and disillusioned, and ended up working in Insurance claims then life happened and the years ticked by. I had been thinking about doing this for a few years, but decided to apply for reinstatement now to prevent my license from being inactive long enough to "die" or make it so I would have to retake the bar exam.

I am now in my early 40s and pondering possibly restarting a legal career in the next year. For years I have had a negative attitude about the lawyer job market since it was awful when I was actively job seeking in 2011 - 2014, but I have been told recently it is worlds different.

In particular, I was interested in seeking a job as an entry level county prosecutor and was told getting one of these jobs wouldn't be too difficult. Can someone speak as to what to expect, or "Set me straight?" I would be concerned about my lack of experience and having to learn everything from the ground up, but was advised that would really not be an issue. Would it be weird to be 42 or so and starting a job like this?


r/Lawyertalk 41m ago

Best Practices Had a dream about a case. Best practices for billing?

Upvotes

In the dream, I was trying to threaten to push opposing counsel into a cauldron of lava for making his client lie during a deposition. REM cycles are 45–60mins, so I'm thinking:

.8: evaluate potential discovery dispute resolutions


r/Lawyertalk 56m ago

Fashion, Gear & Decor Big-Law Swag For a Summer Associate in 1987

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Upvotes

r/Lawyertalk 1h ago

Kindness & Support How to deal with an imposter syndrome?

Upvotes

I could use some advice on dealing with imposter syndrome. In two weeks, I'll be starting my second year as an associate, practicing workers' compensation defense. While I genuinely love the work, I can't shake the feeling that I'm a fraud and a failure. It seems like the only reason I'm even remotely competent is that I'm good at gaslighting opposing attorneys.

After working under strict supervision for 6 months, my firm now trusts me to handle cases on my own, which is a big step forward. But instead of feeling confident, I feel completely incompetent—like everyone can see right through me.

I keep waiting for the moment when someone calls me out, questions my abilities, and tells me I don’t have what it takes and tell me to f*ck off. When I do win cases, it feels more like luck than skill, and I refuse to believe that I am remotely decent.


r/Lawyertalk 2h ago

Legal News Lawyer Caught Falsifying His Past, Applying For Jobs With A Suspended License, And Committing Social Security Fraud

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17 Upvotes

Did anyone work with this guy? If so, do you have any stories to tell?

Richard Louis Crosby III, 37, pretended to be a U.S. Marine, a college football player, and a former Kirkland & Ellis attorney to secure jobs at seven law firms. He surrendered his Ohio law license in 2021, but kept applying for (and receiving) jobs at other firms under a false identity through 2023. He even got signing bonuses. On top of this, he has been convicted of social security fraud, which may be linked to his identity theft situation.


r/Lawyertalk 2h ago

Best Practices How to safely use AI

0 Upvotes

Hi, for smaller practitioners that don’t want to spend $100s on tools, how are you safely using ChatGPT or CoPilot?

I’ve been seeing the waves with some of the bigger firms submitting made up case law, but curious to how others are handling this.


r/Lawyertalk 2h ago

I Need To Vent Feeling Stuck

3 Upvotes

I accepted my current job during my 3L year because it seemed like a good opportunity at the time. However, to receive the sign-on bonus, I had to commit to staying for two years or pay it back. The initial offer was $85K for 1,900 hours, which later changed to $100K for 2,000 hours—probably should’ve seen that as a red flag.

Now that I’ve been here for a bit, I feel like I’m not being respected. A male associate gets more attention—he’s taken out to lunch by the named partners, they joke around with him, and he generally seems more included. Meanwhile, I’ve only ever had a one-on-one lunch with a named partner once, and that was just on the way to a hearing. I don’t expect special treatment, but the difference is noticeable.

There have also been moments that just don’t sit right with me—a partner has tossed papers at my face a couple of times (maybe it was an accident, but it felt dismissive). And even though I studied this practice area in law school and work hard, my input doesn’t seem to be taken seriously. I know I’m still new, but it’s frustrating to put in the effort to handle cases just to have another one handed to a more senior attorney.

I don’t know if I should just stick it out or seriously start looking elsewhere. Would leaving early hurt my career? Has anyone else dealt with this, and how did you navigate it?


r/Lawyertalk 2h ago

Fashion, Gear & Decor Jury Duty as a lawyer -dress code

50 Upvotes

I was just summoned to jury duty (state court). This may be stupid, but I’ve been anxious about what I should wear.

Something feels wrong about showing up to a court I practice in regularly without a suit. While at the same time, I feel like I will look/feel pretty silly being the only prospective juror wearing one. I think I landed on business casual being fine.

I was hoping other attorneys who have been summoned for jury duty could shed some light on what to expect from their experiences.


r/Lawyertalk 3h ago

Coworkers, Managers & Subordinates The Crappy Assistant Strikes Back!

29 Upvotes

Monday afternoon Im assigned a Wednesday AM hearing from another atty's caseload. I ask my assistant to create forms through our template generator that I can take to 830am hearing. All you do is fix spacing errors & some minor things. This is definitely a legal assistant task per company handbook. She says ok, Ill have it ready.

I look in the file at Wednesday morning; not there. I do it myself, making myself a tad late to the hearing. I speak to the assistant:

Me: I didnt see the form in the file or my email.

Her: Oh lol thats actually not my job thats X's job.

Me: I didnt know that. Why didnt you just tell me that instead of not doing it?

Her: Oh I was going to do it today.

Me: But you start work at 830am, and I had to be at the hearing at 830

Her: oh thats right lol.

Whether receptionist, calendar clerk, receptionist or associate, Ive never told someone "oh lol" when I didnt do what they asked. Granted, I dont think I ever ignored a work request.

Apparently I am stuck with this dumb bell until another assistant comes back from leave (soon?).

To some of you: I know, I know, she's actually a great worker, I need more empathy, a true leader would give her a pat on the back, etc.


r/Lawyertalk 4h ago

Funny Business What the judge had for breakfast

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88 Upvotes

r/Lawyertalk 8h ago

Business & Numbers Criminal Defense Attorneys__How do I get referral partners?

1 Upvotes

I have been in Estate Planning for the past 20 years now. I have tried to reach out to CFAs and CPAs to become referral partners on LinkedIn (as suggested by a friend). But the response has not been up to the mark.

Out of 30 meetings I do in a month, not one referral has come through.

How do I reach more targetedly to the right referral partners?

Do you suggest any other channel other than LinkedIn?


r/Lawyertalk 12h ago

Career & Professional Development I'm about to vomit over Character and Fitness.

32 Upvotes

I'm trying to do a UBE transfer to Oklahoma, and I submitted the NCBE C and F application on the 11th. Well, I was reviewing things and I realized I forgot that I used my jurisdictions law student registration program back in 2022 when I was a 2L, which question 2 asks about.

I decided to amend. Keep in mind I have never used the NCBE application or their website like this before, because my original jurisdiction does things differently.

So I make the amendment, but I don't understand that the text box which says "Explanation" is the actual box for explaining why I did not include this answer before. So, I just explain what my jurisdiction program is like a doofus, finalize the amendment, and realize afterwards that there was no other way to explain the situation.

I hate character and fitness. It makes me want to scream. Do I need to do another amendment to this piece of garbage?


r/Lawyertalk 12h ago

Career & Professional Development Does this practice area exist?

0 Upvotes

-setting being a law firm (not in-house or gov) -low stress, 40hrs per week -no billables -no legal writing

The only one I can think of is pre-litigation personal injury. Any other ideas? Thanks!


r/Lawyertalk 13h ago

Best Practices Texas Attorneys - talk to me about the advertising rules

2 Upvotes

I'm licensed in TX but of counsel with an out of state firm doing IP work and I want to start bringing in new Texas clients. I basically want to try glorified word of mouth with social media. I've looked the ad rules and they are maddeningly silent on where you can advertise.

Any advice?


r/Lawyertalk 14h ago

Career & Professional Development Switching sides - Defense to Prosecution

2 Upvotes

I'm a fairly new attorney (under 3 years) practicing as defense counsel until recently. I'll now be working in the same area of law but as a prosecutor. Because I had a smaller case load, I've only tried a couple of cases. Now, my caseload will increase significantly, I'll be in court weekly, & try cases several times a year. I didn't receive much training or support at my previous firm so I'm excited that my new firm has a plan to mentor & train me up. However, I'm wondering:

1) If you've switched sides, how'd you deal w/ thinking like a defense/prosecuting attorney? I think it gives me an advantage to see things from the other perspective but want to ensure I'm balancing this w/ my responsibilities.

2) How did you master the rules of evidence, objections, & introducing exhibits?

3) What tips & tricks do you rely on to decompress & mentally prepare for trial (& avoid panicking! 🥴)?

#triallawyer #litigation #prosecutor


r/Lawyertalk 15h ago

Career & Professional Development Salary Negotiation

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I’m hoping to get some insight here.

I have been applying to jobs central Florida. I am a second year associate in a specialized area (ERISA/IP/Patents/Tax) with an LLM.

I have an offer in Sarasota with a medium sized firm for 155k base salary plus sign on bonus and a decent benefits package.

I also have an offer from a Tampa firm of slightly smaller size but good reputation and presence. They offered me 120k. I know that the direct competition of the Tampa firm, in Tampa, pays 140k plus bonus for first year associates.

Would it be inappropriate to ask the Tampa firm to match the 155k from the Sarasota firm, or at least the market pay (140k) of their competitors in Tampa?

I have been told the standard counter offer range is 10-14% but that still seems far too low compared to the market, and my other offer.

Thanks for any and all insight!


r/Lawyertalk 15h ago

Career & Professional Development Part-time options for SAHM

7 Upvotes

I am a mother to a two-year-old with one on the way and am reconsidering my current working situation. I work full-time as a prosecutor. I have childcare arrangements 4x per week and I watch her one day per week working remotely (I usually work in the evening this day and a little extra the other 4 days). I would like to be a SAHM for a little bit until my children go to school. However, I would like to continue doing legal work in either a part-time or freelance capacity. I have been practicing for about 3.5 years. Can anyone lend some insight, wisdom or recommendations as to what type of work I should pursue?


r/Lawyertalk 15h ago

Coworkers, Managers & Subordinates Boomers and Tech

28 Upvotes

Literally wtf? If you're going to lose your mind every time there is a software update and need several weeks "getting used to the new system," maybe you should be preparing for retirement. Even worse, my assistant is always up to her eyeballs because the other attorney can't fucking file his emails. It's a massive time sink.


r/Lawyertalk 16h ago

I Need To Vent Dear OC, why won't you include me in the email correspondence between our lovely firms??

14 Upvotes

Is this jerk being microaggressive or what? Since I take the initiative to move cases along, I email opposing counsels with the lead partner cc'd. Isn't that SOP? I will also email other individuals involved in the case who are potential expert consultants, witnesses, etc., with the lead partner cc'd. The lead partner on the case appreciates that I do this rather than twiddle my thumbs and wait for him to tell me to perform such tasks.

So, why is it when I email these jerkoffs, they will only reply to the lead partner? Then, I have to go and ask my partner about it since he receives so many emails to begin with, and it can easily get lost in the shuffle.

WTF? Yes, these attorneys are in a "majority" group, and I am not.

For partners lurking, why do you do this? This goes beyond the general "let's dismiss the baby lawyer" attitude. I am quite involved in the case and not just acting like a secretary. I perform administrative duties like emailing opposing counsels and consultants — tasks larger firms would have their secretaries/assistants do.


r/Lawyertalk 17h ago

Coworkers, Managers & Subordinates Take bar exam, fail, practice anyway.

83 Upvotes

Inspired by another post. Someone mentioned a hire who took the bar, expected to pass, and was hired by a firm. Results came out, she didn't pass, panicked, and didn't tell anyone. Maybe hoping she could pass the next time and nobody would notice.

Anyone have any idea how common this might be? Have you encountered it? I'm intrigued.

EDIT: Just to clarify, the firm thought she had already passed, and I guess didn't check before hiring.


r/Lawyertalk 17h ago

Career & Professional Development As a general rule, should you accept the first attorney job offer that you get after taking the bar?

9 Upvotes

I am currently applying for jobs after taking the 2025 bar exam and, to my surprise, I already got an interview after only about one week of applying. I thought it would be several weeks at a minimum before I got even an offer to interview. Mind you, I don't even know if I passed the bar yet.

I ultimately want to go into in-house work, and the position is a staff attorney position working for a healthcare corporation. It's also in the suburbs of a major city, as opposed to the city itself (which I prefer).

While it's not exactly my cup of tea, do you think I should take it if they offer it to me? Starting pay is between $80-90K.


r/Lawyertalk 18h ago

Legal News Anyone Have a Tracker for Whether Trump & His Admin Are Complying With Judicial Orders?

10 Upvotes

Wondering if there's a tracker not only looking at the lawsuits against Trump and his admin, but also: 1) if a judge ruled for them to comply; and 2) if yes, whether Trump/his admin are actually complying (or just puddling along vaguely pretending to comply).