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The Three Milestones You Hit In Your Legal Career

Posted on by Charisse Curiel

Everyone has milestones. Inutero the fetus has milestones. When you are born, there are milestones. Your career undoubtedly has milestones. Once you graduate from law school, you still have some steps left to have a fulfilling career as a lawyer. Most attorneys go through three major milestones and if you recognize each one, you can evaluate the stage you are in and make the most of it. Here are three major milestones you will hit within your career and what you can generally expect.

Dealing With Sexual Harassment At The Law Firm

Posted on by Charisse Curiel

As a result of the #MeToo movement, many women have spoken up about their experience of being sexually harassed or witnessing sexual harassment in the workplace. The movement began to spread virally in October 2017 as a social media hashtag (#MeToo). As a result, women from various career paths, including law firms, have become more vocal about sexual harassment. Recently, Lauren Stiller Rikleen, Esq. partnered with the Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts to develop a survey to analyze workplace conduct at law firms. The survey asked a series of specific questions about whether the respondents experienced certain behaviors and, if so, whether or not they reported the incidents. According to Lauren, most responders who remained silent did so in fear of retribution or were asked by the victim to stay silent.[1]

Part-Time Career Options for Lawyers After Retirement

Posted on by Charisse Curiel

Congratulations — you are about to retire. It's an exciting time. You can now enjoy your free time and all the benefits you have worked so hard for during your legal career. You spent an entire career with no time, killing off your telomeres but now you're just about done. However, in a short amount of time, many retired lawyers get restless and miss their participation in the legal community. Should you encounter this, these roles offer you the opportunity to share your legal expertise and can offer many benefits.

The Telomere Effect And How Lawyering May Be Affecting You

Posted on by Charisse Curiel

Most of us simply think that our youthful look is due to good genes; maybe it is. Perhaps you really, really take care of yourself and maintain your stress levels low. Research in the area of chronic stress reveals that prolonged high-stress levels ages us down to the cellular level affecting the telomeres.[1] Telomeres are a protective casing at the end of a strand of DNA. They keep your DNA safe. Each time a cell divides, it loses a few its telomeres. An enzyme called telomerase can replenish it, but chronic stress and cortisol exposure decrease your supply. When it is depleted, the cell often dies or becomes pro-inflammatory. Cell death sets the aging process in motion, along with various health risks.[2]

What Did You Resolve? Time To Review Those New Year Resolutions

Posted on by Charisse Curiel

It feels like just the other day, we were toasting the New Year. Many, if not most people made some sort of New Year resolution. Some resolved to lose weight this year, get the gym; others to pursue their career harder, or perhaps take time off to explore new options. What is the same is how it all started, with good intentions. Regardless of whether it was weight loss, more time with family with friends, the promise to stop smoking, to drink less, etc. life and work got in the way. You've done so much over the years. Accomplished the goal of lawyering and though as an attorney you can use the lack of time as an excuse, if you really want to reach your health goals, it is really up to you.

Women. Lawyering. Menopause. Life.

Posted on by Charisse Curiel

A woman's first period is a big deal in many cultures. In modern times, the period is still something many are not talking about. Especially not at the office. But by the time a woman graduates law school, she is a pro at dealing with the changes her body goes through every month. However, the changes that continue to happen through menopause, is another subject we are not talking about. Menopause is yet one more life event that female attorneys have to work around. Women are working while experiencing menopause because well, many have to, or they want to, but overall people are living longer and retiring later.

Increase The Firm’s Morale With Unique Lawyer Holidays

Posted on by Charisse Curiel

The legal profession gets a bad rap, but they are essential to the structure of society and the preservation of justice. So, it was just a matter of time before someone, OK—an attorney, created a holiday (or two) to celebrate, and maybe have a few laughs, in honor of the hardworking legal professionals who shape our society. Yes, the following holidays do exist, and you can apply them for the attorneys in your firm to build morale and show a little appreciation.

Networking for Career Advancement and Recognition

Posted on by Charisse Curiel

Networking can seem redundant and boring at times. You attend several groups, schmooze with people, exchange contact information, you follow up and weeks later, you still have no results. Perhaps you jumped in into networking, went in a bit unprepared. With a little research and careful planning, you can obtain the many benefits from networking with other legal professionals. It is a great way to create bonds and even friendships with other legal professionals - because networking is the best way to advance your legal career.

State Bar Exam Options You Should Know About

Posted on by Charisse Curiel

Deciding to go to law school, taking a break in between your studies or going straight through is a big decision to make. Selecting a school, being accepted - huge deals. But taking and passing the Bar Exam is one of the most important events in your legal career. After all, your law school training is preparation for this one test that allows you to begin your legal career. So understandably, regardless of the location, the Bar will test you like no exam in law school ever did. It is no surprise that one state’s bar exam may be more difficult than another state’s bar exam. Some states are just more popular in which to live and practice law, but we all already knew that. Here are other things you should know about.

Quality or Quantity: The Question Between More or Better Clients

Posted on by Charisse Curiel

Quality over quantity or the other way around? The question of whether a firm should have more clients or "better" clients is one every attorney faces at the beginning of their career or as they expand their practice. As the firm grows as a business, the answer to the very question changes. At the beginning of any business or law firm, the main objective is to get that first client. Get that one. Successfully represent that client, get paid, go and get the next client. Rinse and repeat.