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Law360 - Multiple Jobs Listed on Mediabistro.com - Jobs 4/20/18

Here is one of them.

Megawatt Success, Substance Abuse, and All the Verne Troyers

Verne Troyer, who played "Mini-Me" in the "Austin Powers" series, is dead. He was 49 years old.

His bouts with alcohol abuse are well-known. There is some speculation that the cause of death was suicide. Here are more details from Christine Burroni at the New York Post.

With his premature death, Troyer joins other great talents who shouldn't have died so soon. They include Philip Seymour Hoffman, Heath Ledger, River Phoenix, and John Belushi. 

The obvious question is if fame kills human beings? However, the less obvious one is if it requires outlier needs for human beings to do what it takes to become stars? 

Those of us who are familiar with those in recovery understand how "different" many of them are. Before they crashed, they were at the top. And they often get back there.

It may be their talent, fierce drive, high intelligence, and/or business sense which differentiates those substance abusers from more normal people. To keep themselves centered might require artificial help such as boozing, uppers, or downers. That's just the way it is. Bluntly put, that's the price to keep megawatt success going. 

It might be arrogant to grieve for them. They charted the life they wanted - or needed. And that was that. However, we are left without their talent. It's tragic that we no longer will be able to look forward to Hoffman's or Ledger's next film.

This blog hopes those in Troyer's circle of loved ones find the strength to accept his passing. 

If Graduate Federal Loan Program Changes, Damn Public Interest, Shut Down Many Law Schools

The graduate federal loan program is what so many law students depend on for lower-interest financing of their education.

Also, the current provisions provide incentives for working in public interest jobs and income-based repayment terms.

But, as lawyer-journalist Joe Patrice reports in Abovethelaw, all that could change.

That would deter new JDs from working for the public interest, including government positions such as in the EEOC. Also, it could trigger the closing of many law schools.

What's going on is that, Patrice notes:

"Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives in December advanced out of the committee a Higher Education Act reauthorization bill that would make several major changes to graduate federal loans."

The hits would include:

• Public service loan forgiveness. Right now JDs working for the public interest have lower monthly payments. After 10 years their federal loans are forgiven.
• Income-based repayment. Repayment can be structured to 10% of income. In 20 or 25 years there could be forgiveness. 
• Limits on federal loan amount to $28,000 a year. That, of course, does not cover the full amount of tuition, living expenses, books, and fees.

Should these changes become reality, JDs would have to taking stupid pills to opt to take a job with legal aid or an entry -level one with government.

Justice for those who can't afford a lawyer would be almost impossible. As it is now, legal aid is overwhelmed.

And, forget expect the government to protect and go to bat for us. Is I have an age bias complaint and can't find a private lawyer to pursue it, that's just too bad, isn't it. Yet, ageism is growing. AARP documents it can start around 35.

Also, many law schools could close. In some cases, that could save those who wouldn't be able to pass the bar from entering law school. In other cases, it would deny that option to those who recognize they can't take on the interest burden of private loans. 

A change in the graduate federal loan program would, of course, present a bigger threat to the future of legal education than the downsizing of the legal sector. 

Law professors who do not currently have multiple sources of income should be searching for ways to supplement what they earn teaching law.

Reflection: Both the public interest and the future of legal education are in play.

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Michael Avenatti - Will He Even Bother with Continuing Ed Courses ...

Michael Avenatti has become a media star.

He is one of those lawyers who not only represents his client in a charismatic manner. He does cable with an earnest persuasiveness that captures the right attention.

So, it's not a surprise that the members of the media are officially reporting talent agencies are chasing him. Here is just one example of the coverage from NBC News.

Among the chasers are William Morris Endeavor and United Talent. In store for him could be anchor jobs, high-paid speaking engagements, books, documentaries, and maybe even hosting a talk show. 

Of course, he is playing coy. He contends he is totally focused on obtaining justice for his client Stormy Daniels. But, he could be consumed with decisions about whether to keep up with continuing ed courses and renewing his law license. 

Avenatti is a lucky lawyer in a downsizing industry. It would be useful to law students and any struggling lawyers if lawyer-journalist Joe Patrice did a column on what, he posits, were and are the smart moves Avenatti made and is making.

Any size business can promote itself like a big business. Complimentary consultation janegenova374@gmail.com. Here is a brief backgrounder.

 

Indiana Lawyer, Indianapolis, IN - Reporter

Here are details and how to apply.

Transparentem - Deputy Director of Investigations - Openings in both Brookly and D.C.

Here is the help-wanted for Brooklyn.

Palmer Legal Staffing, D.C. - Marketing Communications

Here are details and how to apply.

Millennial Financial Perfect Storm Could Be Blessing for Higher Education, Including Law Schools

The net worth of those 25 to 34, with college degrees, is a minus $1,900. That's the grim financial reality announced by Young Invincibles. Here are many more details from MarketWatch.

Mostly that's due to the "perfect storm" of:

College debt. About 70% graduate with that baggage to keep dragging around. Yet college is necessary.

Difficulty landing that first real job. It was never easy. But with the glut of professionals in so many niches, ranging from journalism to law, it could take years. And it may never happen.

Stagnant wages. Sure, the March 2018 showed an uptick in wages but the whole thing is still pretty dismal. 

All this could have catastrophic impacts on the economy. Already, too many Millennials can't rent an apartment without a parent co-signing the lease.

The auto and housing industries could be hit hard. 

The one industry which could have an advantage is education. Stuck Millennials could opt for advanced degrees when the college one doesn't pay off in terms of leading to a career path. For example, applications to law schools are up. That's even though the legal sector is flat or downsizing, depending on who's doing the counting.

Meanwhile, those over-50 are struggling with age discrimination. When they are knocked out of the box on the job front it's tough to navigate back in.

Coaching on all aspects of aging, from careers to retirement. Complimentary consultation. Sliding scale fees. Please contact aging expert Jane Genova janegenova374@gmail.com. Read her syndicated site http://over-50.typepad.com.

 

Rudy Giuliani Has Been Busy Guy - Joins Donald Trump's Legal Team, Involved in Contested Divorce, Spotted Dating

Don't ever assume Rudy Giuliani is letting go of his high public profile and sliding into semi-retirement.

Most recently, BusinessInsider reports, he has joined Donald Trump's personal legal team. The focus is the investigation of Trump's alleged ties with the Russians. 

Simultaneously Giuliani has been in the news because of the beginning of the end of his third marriage. Estranged spouse Judith, a former nurse, is going for a contested divorce. That means the battle over assets could continue to grab headlines.

Also, as a new most eligible bachelor in New York and Florida Giuliani has been spotted with some female companions. If any those mini romances seem to be developing into something, the media will dig into her pedigree.

Giuliani has been full of second, third, and fourth acts. His observations on the Trump legalities will be fun to read in the media.

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Displaced Lawyers - Likely, You Wouldn't Opt In for Universal Basic Income

From Oakland and Stockton, California all the way to the nation of Finland, there are experiments in Universal Basic Income (UBI).

Here in Fortune Grace Donnelly describes what could be The Future: Accepting a payout in exchange for not working. The odds are that displaced lawyers wouldn't opt in for this. They have too much of a sunk cost in preparing to practice law. 

Essentially, UBI goes like this: Some entity, be it government or a futurist such as Y Combinator chief executive officer Sam Altman, selects a group to fund with a certain amount of a monthly payment. In Altman's case, it's about 50 households in Oakland each of which receives $1,500 a month, with no strings attached. 

They can use the funds to just get by, to do what they want such as volunteer at the rape crisis center, or study for certification which could qualify them for work.

But, the idea behind many of the pilot programs is to assess if human beings can adjust to living a life without working, at least not in the traditional way.

Yes, volunteering can require time, energy, and emotional commitment.

But, that does not constitute work as we have known it since Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Paradise and could only survive by the sweat of their brow.

The raw reality could be that there won't be enough work to go around. You bet, blame technology.

Already Walmart, Kroger, and Amazon are exploring ways to eliminate human cashiers. Go to a Walmart after 9 PM or before about 8 AM and the only check-out available is self-service. 

LexisNexis has been a busy bee acquiring analytics firms such as Ravel Law. Way back when digital LegalZoom was snatching consumer business from solos and small firms. Now, it and its competitors have penetrated the B2B market.

Globally, things look increasingly scary for the workforce.

In Finland, unemployment stands at 10 percent.

Sure, the jobs report in the U.S. looks rosy. But how many of them are well-paying jobs with benefits and how long will those jobs last?

Outplacement, which helps displaced employees recycle themselves, has become a $5 billion industry. However, even with that sophisticated assistance, former workers face downward trajectories. They could wind up taking Social Security early, that is, at 62 - or opting for UBI.

From my own experience I know it is possible to have that psychic shift from a conventional work ethic to living on what might be considered "hand-outs."

From my junior year in high school until graduation from college, I worked as a long-distance operator at New Jersey Bell Telephone. Then I was blessed or cursed with a government fellowship covering tuition and living costs to pursue doctoral studies in linguistics and literature. During those years I wouldn't have to work in the traditional sense. Just read books, write papers, and take tests. 

Them were days of heaven.

However, the demand for college professors in those disciplines crashed. I had to find work outside academia. That was very difficult. Actually it required about five years for me to land a career path that paid well and in which I could excel.

Would I take a UBI hand-out today and shut down my coaching for those over-50 and marketing communications businesses? No. A big chunk of my professional and social identity is invested in helping aging professionals find, hold, and move onto better work. 

My hunch: In the U.S. UBI will be a hard sell. Unemployed lawyers will do what it takes to find work practicing law. That's their comfort zone and they can't shake it.

Coaching on all aspects of aging, from careers to retirement. Complimentary consultation. Sliding scale fees. Please contact aging expert Jane Genova janegenova374@gmail.com. Read her syndicated site http://over-50.typepad.com.

Satisfied clients –

Mark Misercola – Speechwriter

“For the past two years, Jane has helped me age more gracefully by opening my eyes to new opportunities and endeavors that will serve me well  when  I eventually retire. And some – like writing about my passion for collectible cars – I’ve already started on.”

Tara Belsare – Physician

“Jane encourages me to examine aging with depth and wit. She encourages me to write about the process. She has opened my eyes to the fact that I am, in fact aging.”

Name Confidential – Disbarred Lawyer

“Nearly 70, I was able to move onto a new career path.”