You’re right about criminal law - it can be very draining. I interned at the Manhattan district attorneys office my second summer and received an offer to work at the Brooklyn DA’s office after graduation. I just didn’t have the passion for putting people in prison. Great video!
Thank you for your comments. That's funny, I interviewed with the Brooklyn DA's office back when I was a law student, but now I can't remember if it was for a summer position or for a real attorney position. Being an ADA is really TOUGH work; a real learning experience but difficult to do for a full career. I knew an attorney who was an ADA around NYC; he decided to quit after being followed in the streets by someone he had prosecuted. I also have a friend who was really stressed out, like her personality had changed, when she was working as an ADA; thankfully, she got a different gov't job after a few years and is happy (I think). No job is perfect but man, I would not want to do criminal law. Hope you enjoy your new job!
I understand the quandary of whether the prosecutors office is just an office who 'puts people in prison' or if they actually seek justice for citizens. You have to know what is right for you. Sometimes being inside the system, you can make systemic changes!
I love how you broke this down into different practices and how people can watch what they're interested in! So useful. Immigration law sounds tough with so much changing all the time 😳
Yes, definitely. That is why I never tried to also do immigration law in addition to what I already do. Thank you for watching this! Can't wait to see your next video. :)
You’re the best lawyer who I can learn so much from. Thank you for making us understand Law in a way we can relate to it. Thank you so much Attorney for always educating and inspiring us 🙏🏽❤️
Nice overview! I had thought about law school when I was younger. This would have been super helpful. I think knowing myself now - I might enjoy family law.
Thanks so much for this detailed breakdown! Always love listening to your perspective. Completely agree about migration law! I did an internship in a migration law firm and the pace is quite crazy with the many changing laws!
Great episode here! I am no attorney but this one is such a great video for independent attorneys and small law firms out there. U are so smart and i love ur videos!
Agreed. I am also passionate about collaborative divorce, but many people do not trust the other party & would rather battle it out in court. I keep it open as an option though and continue to tell more clients about that. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the feedback (no pun intended). I liked the setting but you're right about the sound. I need to experiment more with ideal settings. Carpet/curtains really make a difference. Thanks for watching this!
Specialization is the key. I never understand solos who advertise that they do 6 areas of law on their website. Even a layman knows the phrase "jack of all trades, master of none." Who are you going to hire for a personal injury case? The attorney who says that all they do is plaintiffs' PI, or someone who practices PI, Wills, Business Litigation, Real Estate closings!? When I start my practice I will be practicing in one area. But that's an area I already have 15 years of experience in. I also worked at the DC Public Defender Service in law school. The old maxim that when someone gets something for free, they don't value it, is very true.
That's great you also interned at PDS. I did want to focus on employment law, but the business isn't good enough-- more and more clients came to me for family law matters. It's kind of trial and error to find practice areas that you enjoy that also bring in the clients in your market. Good luck!
this content is really useful for folks still in school , starting out and preparing their law career. This is a well-packed information. It is like building your niche in law perspective. Love it ! Such a huge responsibility being a lawyer too. We are actually watching Korean series Hyena, that shows how attorneys are handling huge clients Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks for your support! I'm trying to mix in some more fun videos too so it's not all law all the time. After this Legally Blonde musical reaction will be a bubble tea/legal issue mukbang for next week. :)
awesome, nice tips. I'm from Colombia South America and i'm very excited with these videos, because i think they work too in my country. So, i hope improve mi english and maybe share experiences with you. it will be fantastic. cheers and best wishes.
Thanks. I got licensed in 1999 but stopped practicing in 2016 after a brutal divorce. Just open my 2nd solo practice. Have enough money for 6 more months. Maybe more if I hit the retirement account. Thanks for this video.
@@aalegalfocus Hey you were right. Networked and met a retiring attorney. Looks like I'll be solid. Setting up estate plans and LLCs. Asset protection.
As a small Asian woman I'd be afraid of getting punched, too! Oh my goodness. I wonder if any attorney who has been punched by a client ended up suing their own client D: ~ It's so interesting hearing all of these stories and practice areas!
Unfortunately, the ones who assault attorneys are low-lifes who have no money or assets to make it worthwhile to sue them. I'm glad I don't do criminal law. Thanks for watching this!
I did criminal defense work for 15 years. I represented habitual violent felons regularly, but ended up getting assaulted by the brother of an estate client. Any attorney who handles situations where emotions are high is vulnerable to getting assaulted.
I was not injured. I got away from my attacker and luckily caught a ride from a good client of mine who happened to be riding by my office. He took me to the police department where I took out charges against my attacker. He was out on bond for assaulting a Sheriff's Deputy with a firearm. He got a stiff slap on the wrist, but I just wanted him to stay away from me and my family. I've had colleagues who were not so fortunate
Hi Judy, Your videos are really very help. I started watching them yesterday. I am planning to watch all of them. I hope to meet you one day in London.
Thank you for going so in-depth about this! 😊 I am in the HR field (specifically in hotels) so I do handle a lot of cases dealing with our union employees. It would be interesting to hear your side of the story, especially since you're a lawyer, dealing with employment cases!
Sure, I was thinking of eventually doing a crazy lawyer story video, although doing one about employment discrimination cases specifically could be another idea. You've probably heard some crazy things too in HR! Maybe you can make a video about that too. :)
@@aalegalfocus haha yes another video idea! there are so many crazy stories in HR so I wanted to hear from a lawyer perspective haha. Looking forward to seeing that crazy lawyer story video one day 😃
Haha, I will have to be careful what I say & probably change some details due to confidentiality issues. My next video will be a fun one re: Legally Blonde. Looking forward to seeing your next video.
Defense attorneys have told me they view the cases as situations where they make sure the prosecution has to prove every single element of the crime, to ensure that the system is working fairly. It's not the attorney's fault if the individual later commits more crimes. The attorneys view themselves as part of the system that helps promote a fair judicial system, where each accused person has the right to a defense.
@@aalegalfocus Still, I don't think I'd sleep well at night knowing the client I freed went out and murdered and raped more people. Don't think I'd be toasting after work: "Yay, I got off a murderer and molester on a technicality! - woo hoo!" Guess some personalities can live with that. (I spoke with a lawyer who tried criminal law for a bit then left that area, noting that most of them are guilty)
@@zachjones6944 Agreed. But I wouldn't be able to sleep at night doing that kind of work - Especially if one of my freed clients got arrested again for the same offense (murder, rape, molesting, assault)
From the perspective of a real estate investor, what should you be looking for in a real estate attorney? I don't necessarily want to use one recommended by my realtor because they have a personal relationship. I want someone who represents me and isn't just part of a referral cartel between attorneys, loan officers, and real estate agents.
I don't practice real estate law, but you'd probably want someone with at least 10-15 years of experience focusing on real estate law. Check out the person's reviews on google or Avvo. Call other people in the real estate investment business to see if they recommend anyone in particular. Realtors probably mainly know attorneys who handle residential real estate closings, but many of those attorneys may not handle litigation or other aspects of real estate/property law (e.g. zoning disputes, boundary/title disputes, etc.). Good luck!
Thanks, this is very helpful. I’m planning to switch careers and go from engineering into Law. Patent Law could be a good option but I think Criminal, Family and Immigration Law is more appealing to me.
Have u ever thought of opening a 'class' as an attorney? For those who are subscribing to you and asking for advice. I think that'll be cool :o thanks for sharing all these information with us all :)
Great idea, although attorneys are not allowed to provide legal advice to people who are not in the same jurisdictions where they are licensed. Maybe I'll do an "Ask me anything" video- for entertainment purposes. Thanks for the idea!
Hi Judy -- Love your videos. I'm curious if you could further explain the environment and motivations for solos who network and collaborate if they are all of the same niche legal area? For example, why would a new family law attorney network with other family law attorneys in the same geographic area? Assuming no mentor is found, why and how would the other attorneys continue to work together? Thanks for your response! Your videos are very helpful!
Good question. It helps to have friends in the same practice area to bounce ideas off each other & share advice & experience. It also makes the practice of law easier & friendlier. Sometimes we also refer cases to each other if someone is too swamped, has a conflict, is going on vacation, whatever. Thanks for watching this!
Great video! I’m more interested in criminal law and tax law. Could you elaborate more on both including career path and salary expectations? How hard is it to enter either one? Thanks!
That's a really broad topic. Both fields could be lucrative, especially tax law-- many people get tax LLMs. White collar criminal law typically pays more than low level criminal cases, imo, if you're working as an associate for a law firm.
Hi and thanks for watching! In general, it's not a good idea because of the uncertainty of making a profit while incurring overhead, plus not having many practical skills coming out of law school. It is much better to work for a smaller firm or the DA/public defender's office (depends on what area you're interested in) for at least a few years and save up a LOT of money before going solo. I have a recent video about Important Considerations before you go Solo that might be helpful. Good luck with everything!
Probably unlikely but it depends on how egregious your mistake was. That's another reason why it is advisable to work for someone else a few years before going out on your own.
@@aalegalfocus I am licensed in DC and Texas. I am a newly graduate with my JD +LLM in Taxation. I am confused about career choices. I really like your videos which are not focusing on commercial ads but showing yourself and experience. Would that possible we can connect some time by a phone call?
