Law And More

Nixon Peabody, Boston - NP Capital Connector Coordinator

Here are details and how to apply.

Law360 - Multiple Jobs listed on Journalismjobs.com, 3/29/16

Here is only one example.

Higher Education and Its Discontents - College degrees still required in much of Silicon Valley

Since the crash of the legal market in 2007, many graduates of law schools were hit with a double whammy. They were underemployed or unemployed. Also, they carried high student loan debt. Therefore, in legal circles it became fashionable to question the value of higher education. Was that chase after the right schools and higher grades a fool's game? 

Well, surprisingly, that question isn't asked much in Silicon Valley. That's despite venture capitalist Peter Thiel's panning of college degrees. Thiel, though, does have a JD from Stanford Law. 

The Wall Street Journal reports that 75% of tech employers require an undergraduate degree versus 58% of non-tech employers. One dominant reason is the value put on soft skills supposedly acquired in college such as collaboration and critical thinking.

Therefore, it seems wise to invest in that "entry level"degree. Anything more advanced remains questionable. 

Corey Lewandowski Lawyers Up with Kendall Coffey (who allegedly bit a stripper)

The story goes this way.

Then-U.S. Attorney in Miami (who's counterpart in New York is Preet Bharara) was crushed that two bad guys had been acquitted. The year was 1996. So he went to the Lipstik Club, drank, and allegedly wound up biting a stripper. Soon enough, after a conference with Janet Reno, he resigned.

That man is Kendall Coffey. He went on to become a prominent lawyer in private practice. Among his clients had been Al Gore during the Florida recount. Now his high-profile client is Corey Lewandowski who is accused of battery. The alleged victim is a reporter covering Lewandowski's boss Donald Trump at a rally.

The pairing of Coffey and Lewandowski is bound to trigger even more media attention for Trump. Already Vanity Fair is in the loop. Here you can read its coverage.

BigLaw Hacked - There could be multi-purpose objectives

"Hackers broke into the computer networks at some of the country's most prestigious law firms, and federal investigators are exploring whether they stole confidential information for the purpose of insider trading ..." - Nicole Hong and Robin Sidel, The Wall Street Journal, March 29, 2016. Here is the article.

Among those law firms which have been hacked are Cravath and Weil Gotshal.

Since no one is sure about what exact information had been taken, it's speculation that the motive was insider trading.

Heck, it could also have been competitors of the clients which the law firms represent.

In addition, the hackers could be getting cooperation from current or former employees who have a beef against their employers. Or the hackers could be the current or former employees themselves. It is well known how often hacking is traced back to employees who know all the vulnerabilities in systems.

As The Wall Street Journal notes, clients are concerned. Of course, they should be. So much of their confidential business information is in the files of the law firms. Previously, the media had mentioned that in pitching for new accounts, law firms often provide in their proposals detailed information about their cybersecurity systems.

Stephanie Cegielski, Former Trump PR Aide, Turns on Him (JD, U of Denver, 2006)

"Stephanie Cegielski ... who headed a super PAC supporting Donald Trump, has stunned the political world by denouncing him at great length - recalling what Scott McClellan did to President Bush in 2008 ... [She is] a 2006 graduate of the University of Denver Law School." - Jack O'Dwyer, Odwyerpr.com, March 29, 2016. Here is the article.

Essentially what Stephanie Cegielski says is that Donald Trump was initially just playing around the Campaign 2016 sandbox. He had neither a desire nor expectation to become U.S. President. Then things took off. But all that he consists of is a reality-television personality who also acquired celebrity status in the real estate industry.

She detailed her assessment of Trump in an open letter to him which was almost 2,000 words. It was placed on XOjane.com, which you can read here. So far, it has received 187K shares.

Usually this sort of diatribe does little to tarnish the brand of the power figure who is attacked. That personality has too solid an infrastructure to be blown away.  It's the "whistle-blower" who is usually demolished. Aside from bits of insider information, that rogue player has little to trade in the long term.

If Trump implodes it will be his own doing. And he seems to be doing a good job on pulling down what he has built up. The media have turned on him since his one-on-one battle with Ted Cruz regarding their wives. Trump's comment "he started it" is being widely ridiculed as the dialogue of first-graders in the schoolyard, not the rhetoric of a future U.S. President. The issue has been framed as: Is Trump "material for the White House?"

In addition, according to last week's CNN poll, 73% of women have an unfavorable impression of Trump.

Given this recent troubles, Trump could truly prove to become The Client From Hell for Jones Day. When it took on the Make American Great Again campaign, Trump seemed unstoppable. His victory in November could give Jones Day unique access to the White House. Also, if a U.S. Supreme Court vacancy came up, they would have Trump's ear. Annually, Jones Day hires more former SCOTUS clerks than other law firms, paying each up to a $300,000 sign-on bonus.

If Trump flames out, his association with Jones Day could prove to be more of a public relations liability than it is currently.

Dr. Robert Hadden - No Jail Time

"[For sexual abuse of six patients] Dr. Robert Hadden, 57, was sentenced to a conditional discharge. He will not have to spend a single day in jail or on probation in exchange for forfeiting his medical license and registering as a sex offender." - Rebecca Rosenberg, New York Post, March 29, 2016. Here is the article.

Dr. Robert Hadden's defense lawyer, Isabelle Kirshner, likely considers this a major victory. In a plea deal he had pleaded guilty to criminal sexual act and forcible touching. According to the six patients that included performing oral sex on them.

This kind of sentence seems light. After all, had he gone to prison, he would have probably be listed as a sex offender. And, his license would have at least been suspended. After release, his license probably wouldn't have been reinstated. After all, he violated a bond of trust between healer and patient.

Legal Sector - April Fools' Fun (one day lawyers can be silly)

The law is serious. Both for those who practice it and those who consume its services.

But, everyone gets off the hook for the mandated gravitas on one day of the year. No, it isn't Halloween. It's April 1st. That's a time of grand foolery.

Here is some fun lawyers can have:

Create Media Release. Donald Trump fell in love with Wisconsin during the campaigning. Is dropping out of the race before the April 5th primary to take up producing goat cheese. Issue it from Jones Day. Then, on the line "For the Media to Contact," put "April Fools Day."

Tweet. U.S. News & World Report has ceased ranking educational institutions. Will only focus on evaluating wines under six dollars.  Attach April Fool logo.

On Facebook. Photos of the most plush rehabs in America. The disclaimer will read: This is no joke. Rehab is 28 days of vacation, your first since spring break your senior year in college.

Simulate website of T-14 law school. Name it School for Scandal. Describe 2-credit elective on how to stay out of jail. No need to put disclaimer. That kind of formal training is long overdue.

And, like all days, April 1 will end. The legal sector will return to its standard pessimism. And, as the saying goes, what you expect you get. Melancholy, layoffs, partner defections, and trial losses will rule the land. Then things will lighten up with the preparations for April 1, 2017.

 

Legal Processing Firm, Staten Island, NY - Entry Level

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ACLU, Pittsburgh, PA - Writer/Reporter

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