Is biglaw lit worth it, considering you work on really shitty cases? Forum

[lawposeidon]

I work in plaintiff's tort litigation (pharma class actions not ambulance chasing). I make less than my biglaw counters but I can sleep at night. How do you biglaw litigators do it?

[rahulg91]

I make less than my biglaw counters but I can sleep at night. How do you biglaw litigators do it?

We buy very comfortable mattresses.

[Npret]

My biglaw lit friends work on interesting stuff and represent their clients well. I’m not sure why you think otherwise.

[lawposeidon]

My biglaw lit friends work on interesting stuff and represent their clients well. I’m not sure why you think otherwise.

Inspired by Loyola 2L's blog last night. These sound shitty to me.

It's no secret that O'Melveny works on a certain type of case. The Exxon Valdez oil spill. Enron. Trump University. Drug manufacturers accused of causing terrible injuries or birth defects. Mass torts, toxic torts and catastrophic torts. Healthcare fraud. Sexual assault, sexual harassment and employment discrimination. Workers deprived of overtime pay. Mass foreclosures. Banks defrauding customers, discriminating against customers or nickel-and-diming customers . . . I could go on and on.
http://brian-boyle-omelveny-torture-att ... m/2017/08/

[Npret]

My biglaw lit friends work on interesting stuff and represent their clients well. I’m not sure why you think otherwise.

Inspired by Loyola 2L's blog last night. These sound shitty to me.

It's no secret that O'Melveny works on a certain type of case. The Exxon Valdez oil spill. Enron. Trump University. Drug manufacturers accused of causing terrible injuries or birth defects. Mass torts, toxic torts and catastrophic torts. Healthcare fraud. Sexual assault, sexual harassment and employment discrimination. Workers deprived of overtime pay. Mass foreclosures. Banks defrauding customers, discriminating against customers or nickel-and-diming customers . . . I could go on and on.
http://brian-boyle-omelveny-torture-att ... m/2017/08/

Yeah criminals and bad actors are entitled to legal representation. Even so, don’t assume all law firms are the same.

I don’t know this blog. I liked prof campos’ blog back in the day.

[lawposeidon]

My biglaw lit friends work on interesting stuff and represent their clients well. I’m not sure why you think otherwise.

Inspired by Loyola 2L's blog last night. These sound shitty to me.

It's no secret that O'Melveny works on a certain type of case. The Exxon Valdez oil spill. Enron. Trump University. Drug manufacturers accused of causing terrible injuries or birth defects. Mass torts, toxic torts and catastrophic torts. Healthcare fraud. Sexual assault, sexual harassment and employment discrimination. Workers deprived of overtime pay. Mass foreclosures. Banks defrauding customers, discriminating against customers or nickel-and-diming customers . . . I could go on and on.
http://brian-boyle-omelveny-torture-att ... m/2017/08/

Yeah criminals and bad actors are entitled to legal representation. Even so, don’t assume all law firms are the same.

I don’t know this blog. I liked prof campos’ blog back in the day.

i think i would rather represent criminals than evil corporations. Crimes are mostly acts of passion or desperation, not premeditated.

[JusticeJackson]

With all due respect, I think your post takes an overly simplistic view of what law firms do. I’m sure some people think of plaintiff side securities lawyers as opportunistic rent seekers that maximize their legal bills with zero value to shareholders, even though some securities cases have real value and the class action mechanism makes sure the cases are brought. I’m sure some people see mass tort plaintiffs lawyers as ambulance chasers, even though some of the plaintiffs in those cases have serious injuries that the defendant is liable and should pay for. Look at the way these guys describe plaintiff side mergers litigators: https://www.wsgr.com/publications/PDFSe ... -clark.pdf. I’m sure every lawyer referenced in that article has a different view of the value he/she brings to society.

I have done both plaintiff and defense work and in my experience, cases are rarely black and white. And even in the rare case where liability is clear, damages never are. Or the plaintiff seeks damages from someone far removed from the bad act. I think negotiating an exorbitant settlement demand down to something reasonable is work a person can be proud of, even if it’s for Exxon or whatever.

[lawposeidon]

With all due respect, I think your post takes an overly simplistic view of what law firms do. I’m sure some people think of plaintiff side securities lawyers as opportunistic rent seekers that maximize their legal bills with zero value to shareholders, even though some securities cases have real value and the class action mechanism makes sure the cases are brought. I’m sure some people see mass tort plaintiffs lawyers and ambulance chasers, even though some of the plaintiffs in those cases have serious injuries that the defendant is liable and should pay for.

I have done both plaintiff and defense work and in my experience, cases are rarely black and white. And even in the rare case where liability is clear, damages never are. Or the plaintiff seeks damages from someone far removed from the bad act. I think negotiating an exorbitant settlement demand down to something reasonable is work a person can be proud of, even if it’s for Exxon or whatever.

Don't want to reveal my firm but we help people hurt by corporations' premeditated decisions to choose profits over people's health. They would be worse without us to police them. I don't know about securities law. I don't have a lot of money and my 401k is in mutual funds but I bet it's important too.

[nixy]

My reaction to Loyola 2L’s recent blog was basically, what did he think he was getting into? Of course big firms defend big companies against those kinds of allegations. Some of those firms (not all) totally did the things they’re defending against, and some of those are going to fight claims to the bitter end.

And while I’m not condoning anything done by the partner he (Loyola2L) wrote to the firm about (the torture stuff), what on earth did he think would happen? Did he think the firm didn’t know? Good for him for standing up for what’s important to him, but damn of course he was going to lose his job.

[lawposeidon]

My reaction to Loyola 2L’s recent blog was basically, what did he think he was getting into? Of course big firms defend big companies against those kinds of allegations. Some of those firms (not all) totally did the things they’re defending against, and some of those are going to fight claims to the bitter end.

And while I’m not condoning anything done by the partner he (Loyola2L) wrote to the firm about (the torture stuff), what on earth did he think would happen? Did he think the firm didn’t know? Good for him for standing up for what’s important to him, but damn of course he was going to lose his job.

That was my reaction too. It was a fun read tho. I wish more lawyers would blog about their jobs. Law students too. I read One L by Scott Turow (didn't represent my 1L) but there aren't many candid legal retrospectives.

[Anonymous User]

Sometimes (many times) plaintiffs' lawyers are just full of shit and I feel like I'm actually on the side of justice, because fuck you be nice to my innocent corporation. Those are nice cases. Other cases have a lot of grey, and on a few we're morally wrong if maybe legally right.

I haven't had a case where I've 1) thought we were morally wrong, and 2) hated the partners on it. If I did, I'd probably feel like shit, but somehow the death-wraiths of corporate lit happen to be really fun people at my firm.

[lawposeidon]

Sometimes (many times) plaintiffs' lawyers are just full of shit and I feel like I'm actually on the side of justice, because fuck you be nice to my innocent corporation. Those are nice cases. Other cases have a lot of grey, and on a few we're morally wrong if maybe legally right.

I haven't had a case where I've 1) thought we were morally wrong, and 2) hated the partners on it. If I did, I'd probably feel like shit, but somehow the death-wraiths of corporate lit happen to be really fun people at my firm.

I think IP are all nice cases. You're litigating whether Apple or Samsung invented the curved phone corner and stuff like that so no gross issues.

[Anonymous User]

Sometimes (many times) plaintiffs' lawyers are just full of shit and I feel like I'm actually on the side of justice, because fuck you be nice to my innocent corporation. Those are nice cases. Other cases have a lot of grey, and on a few we're morally wrong if maybe legally right.

I haven't had a case where I've 1) thought we were morally wrong, and 2) hated the partners on it. If I did, I'd probably feel like shit, but somehow the death-wraiths of corporate lit happen to be really fun people at my firm.

I think IP are all nice cases. You're litigating whether Apple or Samsung invented the curved phone corner and stuff like that so no gross issues.

I would much rather destroy pensions than argue that people can claim a curved corner. That's just beyond stupid.

[lawposeidon]

You do cases to "destroy pension?" What does that mean? The company wants to take away a pension so workers sue?

[tyroneslothrop1]

I do a lot plaintiff depositions in residential construction defect cases. People run the gamut. Some are inveterate liars. Others seem like wonderful people and I question whether I would be better suited as a plaintiff's lawyer.

[malibustacy]

Stop trying to justify your shitty job on the internet. You can try talking yourself into thinking it's perfectly fine before you sleep at night, but no one else cares about your insecurities.

If you honestly think big law litigation only handles a few cherry-picked "controversial" cases you really don't know the industry at all.

[lawposeidon]

Stop trying to justify your shitty job on the internet. You can try talking yourself into thinking it's perfectly fine before you sleep at night, but no one else cares about your insecurities.

If you honestly think big law litigation only handles a few cherry-picked "controversial" cases you really don't know the industry at all.

Insulting my firm again? First of all we go against biglaw. Maybe poh unprestiges folk like me ain't never done no work in biglaw, but I read Loyola 2L's blog about working there and it don't seem so fancy to me. http://brian-boyle-omelveny-torture-att ... ogspot.com

Let's review:
1. Worked for a lawyer who favored torture.
2. Overheard partners fighting over money.
3. Firm tried to threaten him after he wrote the blog. Failed badly.
4. The firm tells associates to lie to vault.
5. The firm threatened a girl raped by Harvey Weinstein.
6. The firm messed up in a child sex abuse matter and works on these disgusting matters. Also works on "It's no secret that O'Melveny works on a certain type of case. The Exxon Valdez oil spill. Enron. Trump University. Drug manufacturers accused of causing terrible injuries or birth defects. Mass torts, toxic torts and catastrophic torts. Healthcare fraud. Sexual assault, sexual harassment and employment discrimination. Workers deprived of overtime pay. Mass foreclosures. Banks defrauding customers, discriminating against customers or nickel-and-diming customers . . . I could go on and on."
7. Judge Reinhardt hated working there.

It's the same at Cravath, Skadden, Kirkland and the others. Biglaw isn't prestige. It's a gutter trash sweatshop. You work there like a dog for money. Don't ever bring up biglaw and prestige again.

[nixy]

Dude, seriously, no one cares about that blog. It’s not shocking to anyone but you and you’ve linked to it a zillion times by now. No one cares.

[lawposeidon]

Dude, seriously, no one cares about that blog. It’s not shocking to anyone but you and you’ve linked to it a zillion times by now. No one cares.

OK. Do you care about this? More biglaw "prestige." A moron biglaw clerk makes all sorts of crazy threats over a $300 dresser. ROFL. Biglawyers are the trashiest lawyers I know.

https://abovethelaw.com/2018/06/idiot-b ... m-dresser/

[JohnnieSockran]

Dude, seriously, no one cares about that blog. It’s not shocking to anyone but you and you’ve linked to it a zillion times by now. No one cares.

OK. Do you care about this? More biglaw "prestige." A moron biglaw clerk makes all sorts of crazy threats over a $300 dresser. ROFL. Biglawyers are the trashiest lawyers I know.

https://abovethelaw.com/2018/06/idiot-b ... m-dresser/

Do you need a hotline number to call? Your postings are starting to get depressing because I can't even be annoyed by you anymore. I genuinely feel bad for you.

[lawposeidon]

The number you and your miserable biglaw friends call?

Edit: Save it in case you don't get the extra $500 a month you're hysterical about!

[JohnnieSockran]

The number you and your miserable biglaw friends call?

Sure, but I'm happy with my life. Hopefully someday you will be with yours too. Lots of hatred, I'm sure that's a heavy weight for you to carry all day.

[lawposeidon]

Your posts are filled with rage and anger. http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/s ... 7&start=25

Don't project dood.

[JohnnieSockran]

Correct, I'm very angry. Are you feeling better yet from this thread? Happy to be your punching bag if you need someone to yell (type) at.

[nixy]

Dude, seriously, no one cares about that blog. It’s not shocking to anyone but you and you’ve linked to it a zillion times by now. No one cares.

OK. Do you care about this? More biglaw "prestige." A moron biglaw clerk makes all sorts of crazy threats over a $300 dresser. ROFL. Biglawyers are the trashiest lawyers I know.

https://abovethelaw.com/2018/06/idiot-b ... m-dresser/

All lawyers suck, dude. Not sure why you’re acting like this is news or shocking. It’s like you’re saying the sky is blue or water is wet. Get over it.