Job Seekers

Last week, Dechert announced its decision to reduce its global workforce by 5 percent, following a 15 percent dip in profits earlier this year. The reason given was a goal of “aligning staffing with levels of demand.”

Julie Talenfed of Boardroom PR writes about the importance of law firms learning to utilize the online platform LinkedIn. Firms, businesses and agencies can convert their contacts into clients via LinkedIn.

Sameer Mohan, Louise Skinner and Wendy West Feinstein, partners at the Houston office of Morgan, Louis & Bockius, shared some advice on staying focused while managing the stressful job of being an attorney.

Stuart Clements, senior associate at Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s Houston office, recalls how lessons from his piano teacher Maribeth Gunning applied to his first years as a law associate.

Jill Backer, associate dean for professional development and alumni affairs at Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, recognizes that cover letters work as a necessary evil. Backer believes that most lawyers have the wrong approach to cover letters.

Gartner’s recent study found that in-house generalist roles are being replaced by the rise of automation, specialized applications and more non-lawyer employees, leading to more in-house counsel looking into specialization as a means to job security.

Linda Sugin, a professor at Fordham Law School, writes that she believes the mental health crisis for legal professionals begins in law school. Citing a recent survey, she writes that half of students reported feeling depressed, and three-fourths reported feeling anxious. Female and nonbinary students, and students of color, reported higher numbers of depression and anxiety. 

Kayla Mosquera of Ball Janik writes about changes brought about by the pandemic – the Great Resignation and the Great Return. Lawyers are leaving their jobs in the Great Resignation, and lawyers are also returning to in-office work in the Great Return. 

A career is a journey with no set destination. It’s the persistent effort to do better and be better. None of us will ever be perfect, so the effort will never end. 

Motion days have changed in previous years, with most motions taking place over the phone or via video conference.