Attorney Job Profile: Male, age 28, from Chicago, IL (ID# 1565)

1. What exactly do you do?

What field is your job in?

Legal
What is your job title?

Attorney
Please provide a brief description of the firm or organization that you currently work for (size and general description of what type of organization it is)

I work on large class action lawsuits as an attorney
How long have you been employed in this position?

3 years
How many hours do you work a week on average?

50-70
Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)

50-70
Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)

I review documents to determine the relevance to the litigation.
What was your gross income last year? Please include any bonuses or incentives received.

80000
What is your expected gross income for this year? Please include any bonuses or incentives you expect to receive.

80000
Please list any benefits you have (Please include number of weeks vacation, sick leave and type of health insurance, retirement plan 401k)

401k, transportation, health care employee paid ( i pay for it all)
Do you feel you are under/well/over compensated at your current position?

Well

Does your job entail you working with others on a daily basis? Is this something you like/dislike about your job? Explain

Yes. For the most part, I like this. I am part of team. We all work together. It is good to share responsibility.
Do you work collaboratively with supervisors/managers?

Yes
Do you work collaboratively with your co-workers?

Yes
Describe your work location (e.g., office, home, theatre, in the field) and what you like/dislike about working in it
Please rank in order of importance from 1-8 (1- most important 8- least important) Assign each number once.
- 1 Income
- 4 Work Environment - co-workers
- 3 Work Environment - supervisors
- 6 Benefits
- 2 Hours
- 5 Level of responsibility
- 6 The actual "work" you do at your job
- 7 Job Title

If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?

First, go to law school. Then, move to either NYC, Chicago, DC, or SF. Find it difficult to find a "typical" law job and accept a position like mine after visiting a staffing agency.
What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours? Please be specific and explain why (e.g., social skills, organization skills, technical skills)

Analytical because of the legal nature of the work. Diligence--there is a lot of work to do that may not be that exciting.
Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?

Yes, JD
What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?

Don't do it for too long. Find a normal law job b/c you may get pigeon holed.

How did you find your current job? (e.g. newspaper, internet, referral, etc.)

referral
What was the application process for your job? (e.g. submitted resume, paper application, electronic application, all, etc.)

I submitted resume and met with the agency. Then, when a firm staffs the project, they interviewed me as well.
Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail? (e.g., number of interviews, who you interviewed with, group interview, individual interview, etc.)

Yes. 1 interview with the agency who staffs me. Then, another interview with a partner or associate discussing the case.
If you can remember, what questions were you asked at your interview?

Experience level, thoughts about my type of practice, hours
Is this the job / field you planned to work in?

Yes
If your job is in a different field from your original plan how did you get here? Explain (Plan can be from high school/college/post college/personal plan)

Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?

I'm a lawyer...so law school. Training on the computer systems. Training on the case.
Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain

Yes
Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain

Yes
If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare you for your job?

If someone were to observe you at work, what would he or she say is "fun" about your job?

Sitting in a room with other attorneys discussing relevant issues to the case (and the world).
What is (are) the most fulfilling aspect(s) and least fulfilling aspect(s) of your current employment? (e.g. fiscal, spiritual, type of work, hours, commute, compensation, etc.)

Sucessful defense, compensation
Is your current employment part of your career plan? Why or why not?

No. There is no room for growth or challenge. I have not developed many skills on this job. If I wanted to move to another city, I would probably need to figure out what else I could do for a career.
What are your current career goals? (Can be broad or specific)

Not really sure anymore. I think that is why I am doing what I am currently doing. I would like to own my business. I am not sure what that business would be.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your career?

I always thought I would be more of a decision maker than a worker bee. Maybe down the road that will be true.

7 am - 8 am

Arrive at work. Get started on reviewing documents. Unfortunately, I can not tell you much about the case b/c of attorney/client privilege.
8 am - 9 am

Review documents.
9 am - 10 am

Meeting with supervising attorney to go over the status of the case. The meeting lasts an hour. We discuss, with other attorneys present, what we are learning about the issues.
10 am - 11 am

Back to work reviewing documents
11 am - 12 am

At about 11:30 I fielded a phone call from a friend of a friend who is having a contract dispute. I agree to help her with her case for no fee (as a courtesy). She explains what has happened and what she hopes to accomplish. The call lasts until 12:15.
12 am - 1 pm
1 pm - 2 pm

At 1:30 I arrive back at the office and get back to work coding documents.
2 pm - 3 pm

Still coding documents. At about 2:00, I answer a phone call from a colleague working on the case. We discuss his issue for about 5 minutes.
3 pm - 4 pm

Back to work reviewing documents
4 pm - 5 pm

I work on the demand letter for the friend of a friend. I am drafting the demand letter as I hope that dispute can avoid court. It takes me about 45 minutes to draft the letter
5 pm - 6 pm

Back to coding documents. At 5:30 I meet with the supervising attorney b/c I wanted her opinion on something. We speak for about 15 minutes
6 pm - 7 pm

I left at 6. No need to bring work home.
7 pm - 8 pm
8 pm - 9 pm
9 pm - 10 pm
10 pm - 11 pm
11 pm - 12 pm