I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not on the cutting edge of technological breakthroughs.  I don’t own a Blu-Ray player (Note to Santa…). I don’t have a Twitter account.  However, without the Internet, I am completely lost.

For the better part of a month I have been without the Internet… and while its made checking fantasy football scores and uploading posts to this blog with regularity very difficult, practicing law became even more challenging.

Not only have I gone without online access to Westlaw and Lexis, I have not been able to access our firm’s network, which includes our client files and forms.

The fact that I have become so reliant on the Internet to practice law gave me an immediate appreciation of those who have been practicing for years.

It’s hard for me to imagine how attorneys worked without e-mail, let alone actually relying on “carbon copies.”  We’ve gone from fax machines and dictaphones to scanners and voice-recognition software.  So, what’s the next innovation that is going to change the way attorneys practice?

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Earlier this week, I attended a Risk/Loss Prevention seminar presented by CNA, an insurance carrier that provides professional liability coverage.  Honestly, I was not looking forward to attending this four-hour tutorial that I had predetermined to be a glorified Professional Responsibility class.

It was only going to reaffirm the idea that a member of the Attorney Grievance Commission was lurking behind every corner, waiting to sanction me for not promptly replying to my client’s 10th e-mail of the day.

To my surprise, the session proved to be quite insightful.  After the jump are a few tips and pieces of information that were offered to help attorneys protect themselves. Read the rest of this entry »

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On Sunday afternoon, the Baltimore County Bar Association sponsored a guest bartending event at Christopher Daniel restaurant in Timonium.  The event was held to raise money for the Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins, and to support Mike Radcliffe (pictured below).

Approximately 150 judges, attorneys and friends packed a private bar at the restaurant to support Mike in his fight against Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and to cheer on the Ravens.  Christopher Daniel’s generously donated a portion of the food and beverage sales, as well as the tips collected by the BCBA’s guest bartenders.

Mike is a long-time member of the BCBA, and a person I am privileged to call my friend.  I met Mike about 7 years ago through mutual family friends while tailgating at a Ravens game.  He immediately became a psuedo-mentor… someone that was always approachable.  He’s still my go-to source for answers to “dumb” questions.  And while his responses might be preceded by a chuckle, or two, his answers are always sincere and extraordinarily helpful.

Aside from the Ravens loss (which was particularly devestating to this writer), the day was a complete success!  Drinks were flowing… raffle tickets were sold… and funds were heading to the Packard Center.  But, the best part to me, was the incredible turnout of young lawyers at this particular event.  Understanding the incredible value of “time off”,” the fact that this group showed up on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in support of a great man and a great cause spoke volumes of their collective character.  It reaffirmed my sentiment that lawyers are always there to lend their support to others… especially in their times of need.

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So, I am writing this post on my 29th birthday, and I have come to a realization that one of the largest hurdles I face as a “young” attorney (and believe me, there are a ton!) is, in fact, my age.  And, I am quite sure that I am not the only one who shares this feeling. You get to the point in every case where you know the facts inside, and out… you know the governing statutes… you’ve briefed the cases that establish the relevant standards and precedents… BUT… you know that opposing counsel looks at you like a starving dog salivates over a T-bone.

Now, how do you change that perception of inexperienced, green rookie to respected opponent?  Good question, right?

The only answer that I have uncovered is “confidence!”  You wouldn’t be where you are today if you hadn’t impressed someone, right?  Chances are, you know that case as well as, if not better than, opposing counsel.  You know that its these first few years that create the reputation that will follow you throughout your career.  So…don’t question yourself, and don’t be intimidated!  Odds are, opposing counsel is more nervous about being out-lawyered by a rookie, then you are about being in the game!

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