Steve Jobs Advice Works for Solos Too
Thanks so much to Ernie the Attorney for this link to a commencement speech by Steve Jobs. In his speech, Jobs describes a rocky path to different types of success, beginnings and endings and new opportunities. It's worthwhile reading for us solos who many times, find ourselves dead-ended or uninspired in our practice and need to pick ourselves up and recreate. It's nice to know that we're in good company.
Yes, this is a "no brainer." Lawyers, unlike doctors, have no internship, no reidency.
BUT VALUES ARE KEY! Pick a firm that shares your values, or you will sell your soul.
and or those of us who have a strong ethical or "justice" streak, that can be dicey, as large firms tend to have an insitutional blind spot where fiduciary duty falls. YOu know the duty that says our FIRST duty is to the client, not the firm? Tough to honor when you are forced to bill a minimum (and insane) number of hours.
My path included plainitff's PI and insurance defense (captive counsel) by which I avioded that trap in my formative years. by the time ended up in a "bill for the firm first" scenario i was able to leave on my own terms.
i will never look back.
ECS, Esq.
Ca.