Law And More

Argopoint - REMOTE - Management Consultant for Helping In-House Legal Departments Improve Operations (temporary, full-time)

Compensation is project-based.

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General Counsel for Biotech Company - REMOTE - Part-Time (state fee p/h)

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Pacific Environment - San Francisco or Anchorage - Communications Manager (full-time, travel required)

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The Freshwater Trust, Sacramento, CA - Senior Conservation Project Manager (full-time)

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Accelerated Push for State Bar Associations to Drop Language about Emotional Distress

"Aspiring lawyers experiencing heightened emotional distress during the pandemic may not seek treatment over fears about mental health questions on bar applications, say advocates who want states to eliminate the language." - Melissa Heelan Stanzione, Bloomberg Law, October 30, 2020. 

The issue of possibly being knocked out of the box after receiving treatment for mental distress is nothing new. But given the impact of COVID-19 on young lawyers the mental stress has gone over-the-top.

Yet, lawyers who are convinced they understand the licensing game probably won't seek relief from their inner turmoil though consulting with a therapist. Or, even having an antidepressant prescribed by a physician's assistant in a family practice.

What is getting young lawyers emotionally undone? What isn't ...

There are the cancellations of the scheduled bar exam and then the rescheduling.

Some lucked out with the Diploma Privilege. But most are doomed to the online bar exam, when the software isn't proved out.

Their start date might have been delayed. The fear is the rescinded offer. That's more and more likely as COVID-19 becomes an entity that American know-how can't control. 

When they land a job in-house they are facing long hours without any additional compensation. In addition, there have been salary haircuts.

And, long-term job security could become as iffy as in 2008 - 2009. As happened to too many back then, those forced out couldn't find their way back in. Meanwhile the student loans don't go away. 

But those who have recently graduated law school are not alone in experiencing depressive disorders. A survey by Berkeley's Center for Studies in Higher Education found that 32% of those in graduate and professional schools tested positive for major depressive disorders. At the top of the list of what's pulling them in the abyss of depression could be fretting that by time they receive their degree demand might be on a downward trajectory. Suppose there is a global economic crash. 

Those who are determined to not go near the third rail - a record of official treatment for a psychiatric disorder - have DIY options.

They include:

• Prayer, that is surrendering or "turning over" the situation, to a higher power or unseen force in the universe. That can take the simple form of saying, "Help." It's standard advice in Alcoholics Anonymous for those struggling with whatever. 

 

• Meditation. Here is a how-to on that by American Buddhist nun Pema Chodron.

 

• Aerobic exercise. It's documented to reduce clinical depression. 

 

• Talking with a trusted friend or significant other. 

 

•  Natural remedies. They may or may not be effective. Also, as with prescribed medications, they may not be a fit with the individual. 

 

• Calling a confidential help line. To be super cautious, users might purchase a burner phone. One group of insightful listeners is SamaritansNY. The service is 24/7 and free: 212-673-3000. No, the caller doesn't have to be suicidal, only in emotional distress. And, those out of the NY Metro area can tap into this resource.

 

• Learn to love oneself. Self-hate, some posit, is an attribute of turning on oneself with obsessive negative thoughts.

The Future of Work is now. Ghostwriting on those issues and coaching for job search, transition, personal branding, re-entry after recovery and reputation restoration. Sliding scale fees. Complimentary consultation (janegenova374@gmail.com)

 

Bloomberg, NYC - Senior Editor (temporary full-time contractor) to Focus on QuickTakes Latin America (6-month gig)

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APSA Congressional Fellowship for Journalists, D.C. - Salary $50k to $55k)

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Real Estate Publicity Writers - REMOTE (but company based in NY) - Must Be Experienced in Category

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Displaced Staff in Legal Sector - Picking Up a Certification Can Be the Way to Land on Your Feet

The human tragedy in the legal sector is the elimination of staff jobs. WFH has accelerated the inevitable: hollowing out the administrative functions. For a while it had been obvious that robotic automation would hit those niches hard. Well, now it has.

It's not likely that former staff will find the same kinds of jobs or the same kind of compensation.

So, like so many others knocked out of their job box, you displaced staff have to think differently about earning a good living.

That line of thought should include the certification route. 

Having a certificate in a certain field used to be an edge. That tended to reassure employers that this person could do the job, such as be proficient in PPC (Pay Per Click). 

Now, with high uncertainty facing all businesses, those doing the hiring for jobs and even gig assignments toss applications with no certifications of the skills needed. Nonono, they don't want to hear that you pick up software quickly or that you can leverage your overall knowledge of legalities to the real estate business.

You might have already noticed that more help-wanted ads and application forms are asking about or requiring certifications. 

Increasingly certifications are becoming the price of entry. 

Suppose a side hustle for you has been landscaping. All your neighbors have used your services. You were even interviewed on a podcast about landscaping. So, you feel confident about replying to a help-wanted for someone to manage the landscaping for the hospital. Well, expect to be asked about your certification. Here U.S. News & World Report covers some popular certifications, including landscaping.

The silver lining in certifications should be obvious. Those of you who are determined to remain employable don't have to hunker down and do four years of college or circle back to academia for a pricey advanced degree. 

Where training is available is just about everywhere. That ranges from the brick and motor community college or trade school, often with online options, to stand-alone online instruction and testing. 

Some provide training that is free. However, there probably will be a fee to take the exam. 

Those that are self-study versus involving actual classroom instruction are less expensive. 

In-person training plus the exam in a niche in IT can cost between $5,000 and $11,000. The IT field has its own specialized publication - Certification Magazine.

Those I coach ask me: Is it possible to get in the door without certification?

Sure, I answer. Try it. Then, if no response to your applications or you never receive a job offer, then research certification programs for your line of work - or a field you want to enter.

In your research, demand documentation of the program's track record in jobs and rate of compensation. 

Ask for names of former students you can informally interview.

Also, contact the Better Business Bureau and other sources of information about complaints. 

When certified, position and package it as an asset in your cover letters, resumes and interviews. 

The Future of Work is now. Ghostwriting on those issues and coaching for job search, transition, personal branding, re-entry after recovery and reputation restoration. Sliding scale fees. Complimentary consultation (janegenova374@gmail.com)

Michael Skakel: Forever Free, Martha Moxley: Forever 15 Years Old

A saga which entered and left and re-entered the public consciousness for 45 years is now over. At least in the court of law. 

Michael Skakel, nephew of Ethel Skakel Kennedy, will not be tried again for the murder of his neighbor Martha Moxley in the Greenwich, Connecticut metro area.

The New York Post positions and packages the legal resolution as yet one more time the Kennedys have their way with women. However, that seems to be a lapse into platitudes.

Once Joe Kennedy III lost his run for the U.S. Senate, all that was left of the Kennedys had been a tattered memory of that Camelot Moment in Time + more than the average share of tragedy. Not many expect Sweet Caroline's son John Schlossberg to restructure that Kennedy brand into one that can again engage.  And, no, Schlossberg is not a dead ringer for his grandfather John F. Kennedy.

Instead of being preoccupied with the Kennedys, there's the more interesting issue of second chances. Can Skakel make a life for himself? Or will his demons conquer him. Skakel has had his problems with alcoholism. He did attempt suicide. O.J. Simpson blew up his second chance. 

On the other hand, the infamous Intern Monica Lewinsky has managed, at last, to gain respect for the ordeal she had been through. In addition, she has put together a media presence that has been a glam kind of career path.

Meanwhile, for the rest of time, Moxley will always be 15 years old. She will remain in the public memory young, athletic-looking and full of promise. 

And, given this new development, broadcast television will likely do a documentary, dredging up so many faded memories. I have a hunch it will get low ratings. Kennedy who?

Place your paid sponsored content on this blog. Here are 6 tips for search engine optimization (SEO) in 2020. Contact janegenova374@gmail.com