Comments on: It Might Be Tempting, But It’s Never A Good Idea to Jump Ship http://www.myattorneyblog.com/it-might-be-tempting-but-its-never-a-good-idea-to-jump-ship/ The Life of a Contract Attorney in Temp Town, Washington D.C. Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:01:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: TechGirl http://www.myattorneyblog.com/it-might-be-tempting-but-its-never-a-good-idea-to-jump-ship/comment-page-1/#comment-49 TechGirl Sun, 28 Oct 2007 00:49:43 +0000 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/ju/#comment-49 I have to say that I agree with Peter. If the market is hot, the chances are strong that an agency will forgive if you bail, especially if you have a good relationship with them previously. I also believe that it's how you bail that can make the difference. I've told a lot of contract attorneys that it is better to give a viable excuse (e.g. family emergency), than to just disappear. Even with those who disappear, I have seen them re-hired again and again, especially if they are excellent doc reviewers. Unfortunately, loyalty in the contract attorney business means mostly loyalty to yourself. It's your survival that you should care about because most of the agencies and firms could care less about you. I think most contract attorneys learn that very early on. If they do not, they can get very disappointed and disillusioned, if not downright bitter. I have to say that I agree with Peter. If the market is hot, the chances are strong that an agency will forgive if you bail, especially if you have a good relationship with them previously. I also believe that it’s how you bail that can make the difference. I’ve told a lot of contract attorneys that it is better to give a viable excuse (e.g. family emergency), than to just disappear. Even with those who disappear, I have seen them re-hired again and again, especially if they are excellent doc reviewers.

Unfortunately, loyalty in the contract attorney business means mostly loyalty to yourself. It’s your survival that you should care about because most of the agencies and firms could care less about you. I think most contract attorneys learn that very early on. If they do not, they can get very disappointed and disillusioned, if not downright bitter.

]]> By: Peter Catania http://www.myattorneyblog.com/it-might-be-tempting-but-its-never-a-good-idea-to-jump-ship/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Peter Catania Thu, 11 Oct 2007 11:03:35 +0000 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/ju/#comment-32 Having worked in the magical world of contract lawyer for about 6 years now, I will offer this: in a dry/dead market (like now) what you say is probably true. But in hot markets (2004 and 2006 come to mind) agencies forget/forgive. I know scores of contract attorneys who jumped ship all the time in those heady days, and supposedly burned bridges/were blacklisted by agencies, only to get a call 1-2 weeks later "are you available?" When they have to fill the seats, anybody will do. In this world (like all others), money is the thing. Having worked in the magical world of contract lawyer for about 6 years now, I will offer this: in a dry/dead market (like now) what you say is probably true. But in hot markets (2004 and 2006 come to mind) agencies forget/forgive. I know scores of contract attorneys who jumped ship all the time in those heady days, and supposedly burned bridges/were blacklisted by agencies, only to get a call 1-2 weeks later “are you available?” When they have to fill the seats, anybody will do. In this world (like all others), money is the thing.

]]> By: Temp Partner http://www.myattorneyblog.com/it-might-be-tempting-but-its-never-a-good-idea-to-jump-ship/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Temp Partner Thu, 11 Oct 2007 05:18:34 +0000 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/ju/#comment-31 Good advice Joe. I've turned down projects before due to various reasons. I thought this might make me less attractive of a candidate for future projects with them but I think the agencies understand that different people have different preferences. Good advice Joe. I’ve turned down projects before due to various reasons. I thought this might make me less attractive of a candidate for future projects with them but I think the agencies understand that different people have different preferences.

]]> By: Joe Miller http://www.myattorneyblog.com/it-might-be-tempting-but-its-never-a-good-idea-to-jump-ship/comment-page-1/#comment-30 Joe Miller Thu, 11 Oct 2007 01:17:19 +0000 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/ju/#comment-30 It's always good to ask questions ahead of time to find out work conditions. You can ask agencies which firm you will be working for, whether meals will be paid, etc., before you start the project, to find out whether it will be a good fit. That's why it's best to sign up with more than one agency: If you say no to a project, before you take it, because you don't like the conditions, you can rest assured that you will get something from another agency, and your all bridges will remain intact. In any case, you will find more opportunities if you do not limit yourself to contract work and do your due diligence to find full-time opportunities. It’s always good to ask questions ahead of time to find out work conditions. You can ask agencies which firm you will be working for, whether meals will be paid, etc., before you start the project, to find out whether it will be a good fit. That’s why it’s best to sign up with more than one agency: If you say no to a project, before you take it, because you don’t like the conditions, you can rest assured that you will get something from another agency, and your all bridges will remain intact.

In any case, you will find more opportunities if you do not limit yourself to contract work and do your due diligence to find full-time opportunities.

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