I Respect Honesty and Candor
I’ve had a wide array of contract attorney experiences. Some bad, but mostly good. I must say, the great majority of the limited number of shady and underhanded actions I’ve experienced have come from the staffing agencies. Most of the law firm associates I’ve met have treated contract attorneys with a reasonable amount of respect and professionalism. Dealing with overbearing partners probably humbles them a bit. 
Although my current project has since been extended, it was originally scheduled to end early. The managing associates held a small meeting on a Tuesday and thanked us for our diligent work and gave us the heads up that the pace had been much faster than they had expected and that the project was likely to end at the end of the week. In return, we were all very appreciative of their honesty in choosing to share with us the prior notice. They could have chosen to spring this information on us at the very last moment on Friday but I respect them very much for choosing to give us the information earlier. Actions like that leave me with a very favorable impression of their law firm and I would certainly want to work with them again in the future, and help them succeed in their case.
Professional actions like that help to make me want to be more sincere in the work that I do. Many of the contract attorneys such as myself are likely to be recirculated back into the mix and may even end up back at the same firm in the future. It’s in everybody’s best interest to maintain that honesty and candor - both firm and contract attorneys alike.
September 23rd, 2007 at 9:30 am
Just saw your post in craigslist and read you blog. I have been temping as admin assist for 8 years. I can’t say that I enjoy it, and did not know about contract attorneys. Right now, I’ve been on a job for over 2 years, and they want to keep me, but too many factors do not make that a certitude. I expect to be kicked to the curb in January. And potential employers do not like my temping history. So this blog was an interesting read.
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:33 pm
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:57 pm
no the wage rate is minimum for admins.
You said, “They could have chosen to spring this information on us at the very last moment on Friday”
I hate that Friday afternoon phone call, and I appreciate advance notice. Am very appreciative when I get it.
September 23rd, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Most of the associates I’ve come into contact with are pretty collegial and professional, at least on the surface. It’s usually when the project is not that well managed that it tends to end abruptly.