Sigh...

Writing is integral to the legal profession. Which is stupid, because it's sooooo hard to write stuff. Especially interesting stuff. Stuff that makes people go, "Oooh, I want to read his stuff more than their stuff." Stuff that makes important people go, "Oooh, I want to pay him to write stuff for me."

Sorry for saying "stuff" so much. One of my New Year's resolution was to stop trying to sound smarter than I actually am- a result of being forced to read the dictionary at a young age coupled with the laziness of not really wanting to explore anything that I learned therein. (Another resolution is to stop using parenthetical notes and thoughts so much.... shit.)

Ok, the aforementioned (DAMNIT (Oh fuck!)) resolutions are actually not real. What I really resolved to do in this new decade is to write and read more. So in terms of writing more, I want to really delve in to my stalled solo practice, my current potential, and what I think/hope/pray this new decade brings professionally.

So with that pathetic introduction out of the way, let's address 2010 with everyone's favorite law school mnemonic: IRAC. Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion.


Issue: Can Patrick Coughlin carve out a successful legal career in 2010? (Not surprisingly, this question is constantly asked to my Magic 8 Ball on my phone. Answers vary, but my inane rationalization to negative answers and inane gratitude to the positive ones never do.)

Rule: I can't help but think of my law school exam writing history as cemented by my bar preparation: If you can't think of a rule, make it up! A lot of people had a hard time with that come bar prep, but for a solid slacker such as myself, it was as natural to me as pent-up sexual aggression is to Tim Tebow. Ok, that simile may be lost on my legal readers, or those who don't follow sports as much as I do. Let's try a different, more salient simile. "It was natural to me as conservative judicial activism is to the current Supreme Court Bench." Nailed it.

Ok, enough stalling with rambling literary tools, let's make up a rule to address this issue. My rule: Success is and must be determined by hard work, relentless networking, luck, and mindful focus.

Analysis: So, if hard work + relentless networking + luck + focus is the aim, I have to take a hard look and be introspective with the past year.

I have worked hard. Very hard. I've driven many miles, written a number of motions, both successful and failures, both canned and wholly original. I've been passionate about clients. But I've also worked hard trying to obtain my own clients. And worked hard getting interviews. And all of that has stressed me out. It's taken a toll on me personally, professionally, and if I were to predict 2010 at 2009's pace, it could have lasting negative results.

Luck- it's been there, in both it's good form and more punch-worthy bad form. I lucked out with my contacts in Riverside, but lucked "out" when they didn't have enough budget for another PD. I've been perpetually lucky to have a job, but unlucky with a number of interviews and that pesky four letter word: the "economy." This luck should not and cannot determine my work or any other factor. It simply needs to be accounted for, laughed at one way or another, and closed.

Relentless Networking: Again, I've worked at this. A lot. But again, and I'm noticing a trend here, perhaps I've spread myself too thin with the ambition of working full-time, starting my own practice, and still trying to get work. I still need to shake a LOT of hands, always remember to get business cards and have my own on me, follow up with emails, calls, and drop-ins, and have my beard nice and trim and suit(s) pressed and crisp.

Mindful Focus: Noticing the trend outlined above, I think I see the true issue. I can't have it all. This isn't a defeatist statement. But I think 2010 needs to be focussed on working hard with the job I'm lucky enough to have, and still work at landing my dream career, complete with upward mobility, juicy benefits, and ideally within driving's distance to San Jose Municipal Stadium.

Whenever I talk to people and explain my situation, my knee-jerk comment is usually one of these:
"It's a hard time for lawyers."
"It's a great time to be looking for work." /sarcasm
"It'll get better..." /said with not so much confidence

The truth of the matter is to take any of the above attitudes to the corresponding statements is complete and utter bullshit. Yeah, it's a hard time for lawyers. So what. You're a lawyer, Cogs. You're not an unskilled 18 year-old with four kids. And you still have a LOT to prove. A sense of entitlement isn't worth much when you don't have much to back it up. And let's be honest- admission to the bar isn't a ticket to wealth and success, as much as you and Law Career Services wishes it would be.

Conclusion:
Looks like the Law Office of Patrick Coughlin is gonna be on hiatus for a bit. Don't stress, my faithful four readers! I still am resolved to write, and work hard to get to where I need to be- happy, gainfully employed, satisfied professionally, and wealthy with good friends and family. And I can't/won't lose sight of the fact that most of those things are already there.

PMC