Despite layoffs and an overall decrease in corporate litigation due to cutbacks, there is still hope for lawyers
Amidst the Economic Downtown, many lawyers are finding themselves out of work. Although many lucrative positions are no longer available at large law firms, laid off lawyers are finding this as an opportunity to do work they are passionate about.
Dave Dineen is one of these many lawyers out of work these days. After graduating in 2004 from Boston University School of Law, he began his career at the prestigious law Firm Foley Hoag LLP located in Massachusetts. Instead of trying for another corporate job, Dineen instead chose to work for Great Boston Legal Services, an organization which provides free and legal assistance(civil only) to low-income people – a job that pays a quarter of his former salary.
“This gave me a chance to do something different with my legal career, and help out people who generally don’t have access to public service,” said Dineen, whose position now focuses on helping people in foreclosure proceedings.
“There is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity coming out of a difficult situation,” Esther Lardent, president of the Pro Bono Institute in Washington D.C. contends. She is currently involved in creating a project focused a given jobless lawyer in public interest firms.
Over two thousand lawyers have been laid off in 2009 already and that number continues to increase. More than double the amount let go last year. Some first that are struggling to stay afloat as is, have cancelled internship programs affecting many.
This is a breath of fresh air for public interest firms. The state budget cuts and low donation levels may require them to make staff cuts, but with a willing-to-work-for-any-amount pool of overqualified candidates, it is an employer’s market.
Another benefit coming from all the streamlining of previously clunky firms towards maximum efficiency and the creation of web-based firms. Lawyer Ahead Inc, a sleek web based services that connect consumers with a lawyer in both Canada and USA has seen a drastic increase in the number of solo to midsize practitioners sign up.
A partner at Virtual Law, Geoff Willard states, “When you tell people, “I’m going to drop my rates 25%, it is a pretty easy decision for them to hire you.” Likewise, Toronto Lawyer Stephen Offenheim said “Lawyerahead services are highly recommended. Their services are inexpensive, quality, and an ingenious way to gain exposure. My Membership has enhanced my client base significantly and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.“
Geoff left his partnership at JLA Piper as he puts it, “[I] was just fed up with the traditional business model that required it to annually increase rates and billable hours to finance ballooning profits and overhead.”
Despite layoffs and an overall decrease in corporate litigation due to cutbacks, there is still hope for lawyers. Virtual Firms and companies like Lawyer Ahead, along with public service are giving lawyers alternatives during the economy downturn by allowing them to either create their own practices and advertise at cheaper rates or contribute to public service.
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