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No, I never did this. Thought about it a few times. But never pulled the trigger, so to speak. This episode is simply the natural extension of feeling trapped and helpless in the office. What’s a guy supposed to do when he’s so stressed and horny that he’s about to implode? I don’t recommend doing what Nick did, but I know it’s happened.

Interesting tidbit: Kevin Ruf, the actor who places the over-the-top, slightly insane security guard, is a lawyer. Not an ex-lawyer. A real, live, practicing attorney. In fact, he just argued a case in the front of the 9th circuit. Kevin’s also a former main company member of the Los Angeles-based improv group “The Groundlings” and has appeared in several television shows and movies, including Friends, Seinfeld, and Fun with Dick and Jane. He also co-created and starred in a show for Comedy Central called Halfway Home. Kevin and I met years ago when we were both associates at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, which is where we filmed this episode.

Loose Ends, 11-10-08

by Bitter Newsroom on November 10, 2008 in News

Post image for Loose Ends, 11-10-08

Quick headlines from the Bitter Newsroom:

It’s a total catfight in court between Barbie and Bratz.  Mattel, the maker of Barbie, is all tryin’ to bitch slap Bratz-manufacturer MGA Entertainment with copyright infringement. MGA has been pimpin’ out Bratz for almost $800 million in profits, so you know that ho Barbie is straight-up pissed and getting backhanded by Mattel to get out there and earn her keep.  [Bloomberg]

It’s like the stray cat (AIG) you fed and now can’t shake.  Only this time it brought back a few feral cat buddies (American auto industry) who are also hungry.  [CNN Money]

A justice mural, you say?  So not bourgeois enough for the residents of Philadelphia’s hardwood-and-granite Rittenhouse Square.  [Associated Press]

Rankings aren’t everything, but they’re sort of…everything.  The University of Texas School of Law is gunning for serious top-10 T1 standing, and it just might have the right man on board to get it there.  [Statesman.com]

While several select lawyers have become United States presidents (26 Ex-Bitters in Chief), an even smaller number have left their practice to coach college football.  Though it’s unclear how well the Socratic Method works on the gridiron.  [Law Pundit]

In Los Angeles, your server is probably an actor, but throughout the country, it might be a public defender who’s serving your Caesar salad.  [Minnesota Public Radio]

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Post image for I Don’t Want Co-Workers at My Wedding

QI’m getting married in six months, and my fiancée and I plan to invite 300 guests. Is it rude to not invite the partners and associates I work with? Right now, I plan on only inviting my three closest friends from the firm. Mistake?

AIt’s your wedding. Do what you want. Don’t worry about being political.  Besides, the partners and associates you’d be inviting don’t want to go to your goddamn wedding anyway.  I promise. And if they went, they’d be sort of miserable. Why invite people to your wedding that don’t really want to be there?  Do yourself—and your co-workers—a favor. Don’t invite them.

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Caption This! 11-10-08

by Bitter Staff on November 10, 2008 in Comics, Contests

Post image for Caption This! 11-10-08

What in the Bitter Lawyer is going on in this picture?

Put your lawyerly wit to the test and post a comment with a hilarious caption about this woman’s urban run-in with Mother Nature.  And keep it clean.  (Ish.) The editors’ favorite entry will be announced the next day.

Editors’ Pick 11-8-08

Hef:  “Clearly the evidence suggests … I am one sexy bitch”

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Loose Ends, 11-9-08

by Bitter Newsroom on November 9, 2008 in News

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Quick headlines from the Bitter Newsroom:

When is a dog more of a lawyer than an Iranian interior minister?  When it legitimately has a law degree and doesn’t have to lie about it.  “Skeeter, a playful service dog, received his honorary Juris ‘Dog’tor, making him the first nonhuman to be conferred a degree from the institution.  His owner, Amy Jones, along with 15 other students, received her Juris Doctor degree Saturday afternoon at Waco Hall on Baylor University campus.” [WacoTrib.com]

Need a workout specialist?  Not for your muffin top, for your loans.  But come to think of it, how bad of an idea could it be to try on a gym once in a while?  [The New York Times]

“[A law] firm alleges that Amish families’ religious beliefs are being violated by the town’s forcing them to install smoke detectors in their homes, submit engineering plans and allow home inspections.” But the government has a point—if one of their houses catches fire, you want them to immediately be able to call the fire department.  Oh, and on the list of things most Amish communities don’t have: Phones and a fire department.  [Watertown Daily Times]

In hopes of getting a loan extension, Donald Trump is trying to convince the court that the current economic crisis is an event of force majeure.  Maybe that “millionaire” business (Loose Ends, 10-27-08) isn’t as far fetched as he’d like you to believe.  [The Dirty Lawyer’s Blog]

Lawyer is the new priest.  [STLtoday.com]

Loose Ends, 11-8-08

by Bitter Newsroom on November 8, 2008 in News

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Quick headlines from the Bitter Newsroom:

The unemployment rate is the highest it’s been in almost 15 years.  So party tonight like it’s 1994!  [Detroit Free Press]

Skadden partner + Half of a pre-Prop 8 same-sex marriage + Romance novelist = One hell of a super-relevant interview subject (for Bitter Lawyer, at least.) [WSJ Law Blog]

Get to know the motley crew of wild-and-crazy lawyers on the Obama-Biden transition team—including their interests, turn-ons, “porn star names” (Barack = Harry Rugmuncher!), and what they consider to be their best physical feature.  [Law.com]

Is the only difference between “Partner” and “Associate” a higher billable rate?  Why don’t you ask a Partner that yourself.  [Examiner.com]

Sucks when your attempt to generate some buzz ends up a total buzz kill.  “The firm [UK’s CMS Cameron McKenna] has had to recall hundreds of the branded travel adapters it had produced for the law fair season after a Cambridge University student was ‘shocked’ by the product.” [The Lawyer]

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Post image for 14 Rules for Waiting on Bar Exam Results

It’s November, and that means bar results are nigh. For those in sensible states like California, it’s a countdown to Nov. 21. But for those in states like New York, waiting for your results is kind of like watching paint dry over an open wound.

Whether you’re still looking for a job or on the verge of Living the Dream, you’ll need to pass the time somehow.

1. Don’t tell the senior partner that you think you failed

When it comes to bar results, don’t think. It can only hurt the firm and you.

2. Try not to think about the dormant Commerce Clause issues raised by the produce at your local grocery store

Nobody really cares.

3. Go out of town for a weekend

Win or lose, you won’t have a break after you get your results.

4. Stop dreaming about adversely possessing Alaska

Sarah Palin is back, it won’t work.

5. Don’t try to issue spot while watching Law & Order

Leave that to Jack McCoy.

6. Spread a rumor that the bar results won’t come out until January

Then wait to see how long it takes to get back to you.

7. Don’t give away your Bar/Bri books just yet

You never know.

8. Don’t brag that you know you passed

Hubris will only come back to bite you in the ass.

9. Pray

10. Remove inappropriate pictures of yourself from Facebook

The partners and your clients really don’t want to see that post-bar drunken picture of you shaving a donkey in Mexico. That way, if you pass, you won’t get fired.

11. Bitch to your laymen friends about how unfair it is that you have to wait so long for your results

After you get them, nobody will want to hear you complain about anything.

12. Avoid giving legal advice

You don’t have your license yet and even if you did, you don’t know anything anyway.

13. Don’t expect much sympathy if you fail

You’re a lawyer, you’re supposed to have a license.

14. Don’t expect much in the way of congratulations when you pass

You’re a lawyer, you’re supposed to have a license.

Check out other lists, tallies and scores to settle in Bitter by Numbers.

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Caption This! 11-8-08

by Bitter Staff on November 8, 2008 in Comics, Contests

Post image for Caption This! 11-8-08

What in the Bitter Lawyer is going on in this picture?

Put your lawyerly wit to the test and post a comment with a hilarious caption about Matlock in court.  And keep it clean.  (Ish.) The editors’ favorite entry will be announced the next day.

Editors’ Pick 11-7-08

drlove: “Yes the attorney’s fee is larger than your recovery. Please sign here.”

Loose Ends, 11-7-08

by Bitter Newsroom on November 7, 2008 in News

Post image for Loose Ends, 11-7-08

Quick headlines from the Bitter Newsroom:

The feds are letting Spitzer off the hook.  Mainly because they have no proof he misused campaign or public funds to maintain a healthy habit of call girls.  So obviously his wife is feeling pretty good today knowing that cash came out of her own pocket.  [Wall Street Journal]

Don’t be turning to Craigslist for factory outlet closeouts on discounted trysts, Eliot.  40 state Attorney Generals are aiming to make “Casual Encounters” a lot less casual.  [Seattle Tech Report]

“Yesterday, Obama appointed three of his HLS classmates and one former HLS professor and alumnus to top transition team posts.” Which gives “riding the crimson wave” a whole new meaning.  [Harvard Law School]

Thinking about going to law school in these depressed economic times?  Then you’re a damn fool. Hate to burst your bubble (quite enjoy it, really), but the reasons why you think it’s such a good idea might need a little myth-busting.  [The Philadelphia Lawyer]

Dispatch the lawyer hounds to Alaska and retrieve those clothes.  Because it’s so important.  And spending thousands of dollars on travel expenses to collect Palin’s clothing seems like the smart thing to do.  Certainly a very “green” choice.  [The Daily Mail]

A 30-year Deloitte partner, Thomas Flanagan, caps off his career by getting sued by his own accounting firm.  Guess he never accounted for getting caught.  [The Huffington Post]

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I Need a Post-1L Summer Plan

by Ex-Bitter on November 7, 2008 in Columns

Post image for I Need a Post-1L Summer Plan

QWhat should I do during the summer after my first year? I tried to get a summer associate job, but I didn’t even get an interview. I want to do something reasonably fun, but I don’t want to jeopardize my prospects for finding a second-year summer associate job. Any thoughts?
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