attorneys

One Hot Area of Opportunity for Lawyers: Government

Some feel President Obama believes that only “big government” can solve the nation’s problems. Others think he’s only temporarily increasing its size to help the economy, and after all, George W. Bush is the one who sent the deficit above $1 trillion. And everything in between.

When I was in Washington in early February I saw it already. With the economy elsewhere in tatters, a ton of new construction was going on and there was clearly a feeling of economic revival of sorts. This is good for lots of people, but in particular lawyers. According to the ABA Journal online, the government needs to hire 270,000 lawyers. That’s a whole lot! The report also indicates that there are five other “mission critical” areas where a lot of hiring is coming, including the medical, law enforcement and technology fields. It’s not all about the stimulus, in many cases there is simply an aging government worker population and many are beginning to retire.

Even with so many lawyers out of work, the report suggests it may still be difficult for the government to lure lawyers away from much higher-paying private sector jobs. Given the resumes I see from talented attorneys without jobs, I think this may be the best hiring moment for the government in a long time.

attorneys

Lawyers (and Everyone): Watch Your Facebook!

At a recent American Bar Association panel, Texas Judge Susan Criss told an amazed group about how she “caught” lawyers lying to her through Facebook. She has been using the social medium to reconnect with old friends and help with her campaign.

According to the ABA Journal online, she talked about the lawyer who asked for more time for a case because her father died. Sure enough, on Facebook the lawyer was bragging about her week of carousing, getting drunk, etc. Another lawyer apparently groused on Facebook about not looking forward to arguing a motion in her court. She got this guy back in her courtroom.

I have actually seen lawyers who post things like, “I can’t believe what this client thinks they deserve in this case,” and stuff like that. Even if you don’t name the client, that stuff comes dangerously close to the line. And yeah, if you lie, as a lawyer that’s kind of really bad. Especially lying to the folks in the black robes.

Many of us old folks have come to really enjoy finding friends from childhood, etc., on Facebook, much to the chagrin of our teenage kids. But just remember, as I try to every day when I write on here, whatever you put on the Internet, is there. Forever. Even if you delete it, someone may have already copied it. So think twice. I should follow my own advice a little more often! Have a great weekend everyone.