- Quickdraw McLaw
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- More sentencing in the HOA scandal. [RJ]
- The party doctor was sentenced to five years probation. [RJ]
- One of the firms that got Project Neon eminent domain work is Carbajal & McNutt. Also, details about how much money is being paid out. [Las Vegas Sun]
Thinking about making the change from insurance defense to personal injury plaintiff work. Any recommendations on firms to look at or to avoid? I certainly know a couple to put in the avoid list.
I am curious, why change? Are you working for one of the large "mill type firms", or a smaller more reasonable firm? How long out of law school and what aspects of ins def do you like and/or not like?
Strictly money, really. I enjoy premises liability work, and am happy at my current firm. However, that firm has been increasingly unstable and I am nervous. I always hear about how much money PI guys make, which sounds good to me. Been practicing six years.
There are only a few that I would avoid, but even those would be worth working at in order to get your foot in the door. The plaintiff bar is pretty tight, so you can go work at a less reputable firm and a good plaintiff's firm will understand why you want to change. In other words, the good firm won't care if you are looking to change firms with only a year or less experience at a current plaintiff's firm. My advice would be to get in anywhere you can and then move up. If you have multiple options, post those here for specific advice.
watch out, you say anything disparaging about a law firm, your posting will be removed.
That doesn't seem accurate. They still let stuff slide. I just don't think they want Sansamort to come back and take over the threads with the back and forth about who is tougher.
Can you provide an example of that happening?
Funny… I'm in the opposite position. Burnt out on the plaintiffs' side, thinking about trying my hand at defense. I am curious if anyone who has worked both sides can give some honest thoughts about pros/cons.
I have worked both sides. For me there is no comparison. On the defense side, billing hours and working with miserable people (especially bosses) were the biggest drawbacks. Also, defense attorneys are much more paranoid – you can't even send off a quick email or make a phone call without having to agonize over it. On the plaintiff side, the biggest drawbacks are problematic clients (asking for loans, expecting unreasonable payouts, expecting immediate payouts, taking dumps on the lobby floor, etc.) and the stress of actually getting money in the door and everyone paid quickly. If you are a "people person", plaintiff work is far superior, as long as you are not above interacting with poor/dirty/less-educated people. The most miserable times of my life were during the years I spent as a defense attorney. However, if you are very meticulous (almost obsessive compulsive) and in any way introverted, defense work is probably a better fit.
I'm interested in hearing about others who have made this transition. It always seems like the plaintiff's side is more lucrative and allows for a better lifestyle, but I wonder if that perception is more myth than reality.
No plaintiffs' attorney is going to tell you the truth–they don't want competition, but they make a lot of money. It's tough to get into though with all the tv/billboard lawyers, but there's gold in them there hills.
How much money do PI guys make? I hear that all the time, but no one wants to really divulge what that means. Is it in salary alone? Bonus? Business generation?
We hardly make any money and it is a terrible lifestyle. Don't let the tans and smiles fool you….it truly is a miserable existence. Don't become a PI guy.
except for an extreme few, most pi firms I know are in hoc, and are on the verge of bk. be selective in who you work for, and who you hire. people who seem like they have the most money, don't.
That is a troll comment. What firms do you know? Eglet, kemp, Lerner, Bernstein, Kutner, Henness & Haight, vannah, Rick Harris, cottle, pete Christiansen. None of them are on verge of bankruptcy.
Go commercial if you want to avoid bankrutcy. I hear Lionel Sawyer just cleared out some offices, and Gordon Silver opened up a new office. Maybe apply there?
yeah, okay. Thank you for the troll statement, but true is true. Most pi attorneys I know, many of whom you have listed are credit rich, money poor. For potential plaintiffs, do your homework before you hire a pi attorney. What little money you will get from attorneys go to pay for hair extensions and television commercials.
Please. It is easy to sit back and speak in vague statements. If you think anyone o9n that list is "credit rich" you are an idiot. I am sure you know so many PI attorneys and know their finances. Stop screwing off on the blog and get back to billing for state farm.
Thank you for showing us who the real idiot is. We can narrow down to the nine named above. The truth hurts.
Not impressed with many personal.injury attorneys. I would be very selective, too. Out of the list, I would maybe hire Pete. Maybe Henness, but there are better choices out there.
. .
Insurance companies have Intel on.Plaintiffs attorney. Most of them are in debt. Keep up the appearances.
I stopped hanging out with PI attorneys because I can't afford daily bottles of Cristal, eight balls and blue chip hookers.
Love the Blue Chips.
A (NSFW) notice should be included with that link…
You are correct. Bad online manners.
Get a life. This is an online blog.
Hope being an online troll makes you feel good.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/online-troll-destroys-a-family%e2%80%99s-offline-life/ar-AAdid9x
I opened my own PI firm about 5 years age. I now only take shits is sparkling water.
Lerner and Harris suck.