And it keeps on pouring..

Two months ago, I applied for an entry level attorney position for a government office where I was a law clerk in my first year of law school. When the applications for this attorney position opened, I thought I had a good chance of at least being interviewed. It was a medium sized office and I was the only law clerk there during my time. I figured my experience with them would definitely give me this opportunity.
Last Friday, I called the human resources department inquiring about my application and they said someone would call be back with that information. Earlier today, I received a voicemail telling me my application was received but I wasn't considered for the job. The first feeling was disappointment but it was more of the "hey, don't you guys remember me?" disappointment. The type of disappointment where you thought they wouldn't forget the people who've helped them.   Maybe I'm a little naive to think after all those hours I put in, all that work I did, sleeping in early on  Friday nights because I'm exhausted from the week, that they wouldn't just place me aside? I know I did a great job unless the people I worked with lied to my face when they said they really appreciated my help. I wasn't asking for a job, I was just asking for a chance.
Oh well, just got to keep on..

Had To Let This One Go

For the first time, I had to turn down a job offer. I discovered during the weekend the attorney who would employ me has a disciplinary history from another state and he is still under suspension from that state bar. Technically since he is still suspended, he is not eligible to practice here in California as well. He never mentioned any of these things to me during the interview. I think he wanted someone who could bring in clients and keep his business alive while he's sorting all that stuff out. I told him I'm exploring other job opportunities and I wouldn't be able to work for him.  He said he understood and I thanked him for giving me the opportunity nonetheless.

Right now, this is the lowest point I have felt in my employment search. I got an offer but I can't accept it for obvious reasons. It's like having that cake but not being able to eat it. When some things are too good to be true.

Got a bite

Well, I'll be having an interview tomorrow for that opening I mentioned in my last post. Technically, it's today. It's  a contract position so it's not meant for anything long term right now. It's still better than nothing. The response was fairly quick, definitely the fastest response I had for an interview. Just got to reel it in. Maybe 11 is a lucky number?

Fishing Update

Well it looks like I'm not going to be receiving any interviews for those three job positions I mentioned in a previous post. It's been a little more than two weeks and I've heard no response. When it passes the two week mark, chances are nobody will reply to my application. I applied to another opening two days ago. I'll let you know if they bite.

Same Thing Over Again

About two months ago, I applied for five federal government jobs. They were not attorney openings but rather  legal administrative positions. Today [lets you know how fast things work], I received an email notifying me that none of my applications will be considered in the meantime because there are enough qualified veterans who applied.  If you are not aware, government agencies give "veterans preference points" to applicants who served in the military. Since I never served in the military, I'll have to wait for any more jobs to open.

Another Day of Fishing

Typical Routine for Morning and Evening
1. Check my email for job notifications or replies from potential employers.
2. Delete newsletter email from CEB or promotions from other state bar affiliates.
3. Craigslist search for jobs.
      a. Skim postings for any phrases that automatically disqualify me from applying. ["3-5 years experience"; "Graduated top 10 percent from top 10 law school" ; "non-attorney applicants only"; etc.]
      b. If no such restrictions exist, then apply even if I have no experience in that field.

4. Browse through Craigslist missed connections to see if any women out there may be looking for an unbeknownst to them, jobless attorney.

For the past week, this routine resulted in three job applications and zero missed connections. I'm surprised I was able to apply to three places because rarely would I find positions for attorneys like me. Here's to hoping for a reply to either one of them. If employers called me back, usually it would be about two weeks after I applied.

In Other News

Judge Suspended For Sexual Harassment

"[Judge]Abrams resigned in February after the Pima County Superior Court found that a public defender who had recently passed the state bar exam was subjected to unwanted and unsolicited contact of a sexual nature."

My Thoughts
An attorney who recently passed the bar exam got a government job? Government offices, especially Public Defender and District Attorney, in my area aren't hiring. I wonder how's the budget for that county? Sucks for the attorney to go through that stuff, however these kinds of actions are not rare in the legal field. You would think the profession would have mature and responsible adults but law school showed me people can still act like children.

El Nino in Spanish means "The Nino" [yes, I know there's a tilde]

I've been trying to make use of this down time by learning to speak Spanish. My ultimate goal is to speak the language semi-fluently. What I mean by "semi-fluently" is to be able to freely converse with a client whose main language is Spanish. I'm not trying to always use the proper conjugations or be grammatically perfect. I just don't want there to be any confusion between me and my clients.

In California, or really elsewhere in this country, speaking a foreign language such as Spanish is a big plus. Let me redact that last statement....it is a GIGANTIC plus. I've seen more employers looking for attorneys who speak Spanish than I have seen employers seeking graduates from "top 20 [US News Ranking] schools." [I'll write about the issues I have with these rankings.So, if you graduated from a high ranked school and you speak Spanish fluently, you are a diamond.] I know three attorneys who barely had any work experience but their ability to speak the language got them a position to be a legal assistant or contract worker and eventually an associate. I am not expressing  jealousy nor am I hinting at racism. I wrote "speaking Spanish" is a benefit, not "looking like you speak Spanish." You'd be surprised the number of blonde hair and blue eyes lawyers who can speak it really well. It just shows you the impact the language has on the legal field.  Therefore, I will be watching my favorite movies in Espanol, starting off with "Mi Primo Vinny." Buena suerte!

Memorable Bar Exam Moment

It was during Day 3 and it happened after another restroom break. I was on the final leg of the PT and I removed my ear plugs for the first time. What I heard was a cacophony of a few thousand exam takers blitzing away the last 45 minutes to the finish line. This sound was very reminiscent of being under a light waterfall or inside your room while the rain is pouring, helping you fall asleep. Ironically, this sound many of us relate to relaxation originated from the most distressed.  It was like peace being created from chaos.

Definition of "Endeavour"

"Endeavour" as defined by the English dictionary:
 1) a strenuous effort or attempt toward an end.

"Endeavour" as defined by a potential employer:
1) a rejection of a job position you applied to obtain.

The nearly half of the job rejection letters I received so far have used that word to some degree. It's usually to the extent, "We wish you the very best in your future endeavors." Employers must have came to a consensus to use that word or they just copied each others' template. They'd probably save me a lot of time reading the letter if they just labeled the subject line with "Endeavour".

July 2011 Bar Exam Questions Released

July 2011 Bar Exam Questions
I'm surprised the questions for this past exam are already published. I thought it'd arrive about two months later as what happened with my test.

First thoughts
I would not have passed this exam. BUT that's only because I've been away from study mode for over a year. It's amazing how much you forget  the law after the test but on the other end, it's even more amazing how much you learn preparing for the bar exam.The brain is a very curious thing.

The most difficult question for me to answer would have been #2. Looks like civ pro? I don't recall learning much about motions to compel, dismiss, and summary judgment during Barbri.
#1 would have been my least difficult question to answer. The question was simply asked: "What crimes were committed?" I hope nobody wrote an excerpt about causes of action for torts committed!

These sets of questions would have been more difficult than my July 2010 test. Luckily for me, my exam didn't contain my worst subjects. My strong suit is criminal law and torts. So I was extremely relieved when three questions revolved around that area.

Memorable Bar Exam Moment
Speaking of relief, I remember during day 2 of the exam that I had to take a #2 during the exam! I ate a whopper meal for lunch and I knew it was going to come back to get me. When I walked into the restroom, the stall was occupied! After grudgingly waiting for 3 minutes, I proceeded to expel this demon. A proctor was present but contrary to belief, the proctor did not watch me during my business.  [I could have wrote a few notes inside my underwear before the day and skimmed it during this time. I did not cheat but I'd be lying if I told you I didn't conjure any scenarios during the weeks leading into the exam.]  Ironically, this toilet trip benefited me because afterwards I felt relaxed.  I was able to finish the MBE and had about 15 minutes to re-check my answers.

What's on my mind.

If you can't tell by the title , I am an attorney licensed to practice in California. I graduated law school in May 2010 and subsequently  passed the July 2010 California bar exam. Unfortunately times are tough and I haven't been able to land an attorney job since being licensed this past December. Believe me, it's not from a lack of effort. I've had about ten interviews with seven different offices. I was asked to come back for another round of interviews but like so many others in my position, the job offer was awarded to someone with "experience."  What I hope to bring to you is just my perspective and thoughts throughout this whole time. Enjoy!

First Blog

Hello everyone or whoever is out there. This entry is my first blog post ever. Just trying to test things out. Please be patient with me.