- Quickdraw McLaw
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A week or two ago, one of the commenters mentioned that there aren’t a lot of positive mentions of lawyers in the press. We agree. Today’s post is dedicated to calling out people in our profession that are doing good things, or for pointing out what is working or even just to wax poetic about the things you like about being a lawyer in Las Vegas.
I'm pretty diligent about keeping up on the news, but I don't recall much in the way of positive news on lawyers.
By far the most high profile reporting on attorney activity over the last few days is prosecutors failing to disclose evidence leading to the Bundy mistrials.
I believe there was zero meaningful coverage of the annual Pro Bono Banquet Luncheon.
That's because good deeds by attorneys is considered boring news from a media perspective. If a prominent lawyer arranges a massive canned food drive for the needy during the holidays, the media is unlikely to pay much attention. But if the same prominent lawyer is caught in a hotel room with a transgender prostitute, the print and broadcast media would be all over that salacious material in a major way.
As I'm typing this a current example supporting my point springs to mind–the attorney/professor who was just arrested for public lewdness. That was front page news. However, had he arranged an annual event where his students spear head a campaign to collect toys for needy children at Christmas or something of that ilk, the media would not give a…hoot(is that the word I'm looking for? Must be.)
Shout out to all the attorneys who donate to charities and don't turn it into a advertisement or media blitz (yes Naqvi I am talking about you)
You mean like those organizations that never let a good deed go unpublicized?
#LightTheWorld
If this is insinuating that mormons or the church are looking for a pat on the back with this that doesn't appear to be the case at all. Lighttheworld is intended for everyone to participate and not any organization to take credit for doing anything. and there's no encouragement or incentive on the members' parts to publicize how they are doing whatever the day in question asks.
If the shoe fits……
@3:24 – I think it's great when churches and individuals decide to do good deeds and help others out. But when those good deeds are turned into a sophisticated paid advertising campaign designed to make sure I know about all of the good deeds the Mormon Church is doing, it seems less sincere and definitely feels contrived. Ditto whenever Mormons respond to a natural disaster. My Facebook feed is filled with paid content from the Mormon Church telling me how good it is at helping others out.
What happened to just doing a good deed and not feeling the need to humble brag about it?
Along the same lines..
Why should people be able to deduct the value of their contribution from their income, thus reducing their tax liability. I thought they are doing the good deed because in their heart they feel it is the right thing to do.
They select the recipient that receives their largess, yet they expect the other taxpayers to support their favored charity. If they want to support that particular charity, fantastic.. more power to them. I just don't think it's proper for them to expect me to subsidize their selection.
7:29,
Because a policy decision has been made that, as a society, we prefer more funding for charities rather than less. So we give a tax incentive to support charities (and make the definition of charity to reflect the categories of things we want more of). In the same way, more higher education is preferred to less, so we allow for a deduction of the interest on student loans. Or did.
7:29– Because by Government giving you a tax deduction of 30 cents on the dollar that you donate, Government arguably avoids having to give that whole dollar in social services itself.
7:29 acting like he subsidized someone is funny. The majority of tax payers don't pay enough to support the services they use, such as roads, parks, etc… you remind me of an associate thinking he is making you money after he covers his salary.
The Las Vegas Defense Lawyers and State Bar Construction Section both deserve a pat on the back for their work for needy families at Christmas. Good job guys.
Is it okay to put it on your social media what donations and charitable work you do? I feel conflicted like I am showboating, but I like to hi-light my accomplishments.
If your contributions are significant enough, someone else will do the highlighting for you. otherwise, your contributions are no more special than the person next to you
It is fine to put on social media what you do. Just do it tastefully. Some people do not have the money of others, so everyone should be able to share their generosity, not just Eglet.
Put it on Social Media that you are recruiting other people to do it. Let your good deeds speak for themselves as you bring other people to do good deeds.
Shout out to the Southern Nevada Association of Women Attorneys for their annual charity luncheon
What about having lunch and backslapping each other was a good deed? I see on its page that "we collect donations for three local charities at our December luncheon." So how much was collected and distributed?
I don't like the people in SNAWA. It is the Elissa Cadish campaign hour.
That is flatly untrue. You have clearly never even been to a SNAWA luncheon. Your obsession with slagging Judge Cadish is as tiresome as that idiot who keeps making all the "baby Johnson" statements. Give it a rest.
Clearly, I have.
Um, the Cadish supporters have been posting anti-Johnson statements, so I think you are placing your ire at the wrong person.
Blog is repetitive.
Does SNWA allow men?
Somebody at the women's association needs to chill.
At the luncheon, which we all pay to attend, three representatives of charities present about what they do. There are raffles for donated prizes and the proceeds are divided between the charities but attendees also just write checks or give cash to one or all of the three representatives there. I've learned about awesome groups that were new to me, like Spread the Word. They provide books to kids who don't have books at home. Or The Center where LGBTQ community members can get assistance.
The whole point of the SNAWA luncheon is to raise funds.
Men do attend the lunchtime and can be members.
Shoutout to everyone who tries to play nice with opposing counsel.
It's always nice to be able to call and get an extension, forgive an error, and work together (when possible) to accomplish our clients' goals.
I think for most of us, this is just a job and we want to show up, get the work done, and go home and be with who we actually want to be with. It does make it easier to get through the day when I get to work with/against professionals who are courteous.
With this in mind, you are going to need a courtesy. You don't know it right now but you are going to need a courtesy. If you decide to be the tough guy now, when you need that courtesy, don't make me have to pause to think about all the courtesies that you denied and declined. Ask no quarter; show no quarter.
I have noticed that some attorneys get angry when there extension request is denied because they wait until after the deadline to ask. We are professionals but we can't give an expert extension after the deadline. That would be detrimental to the client and malpractice.
I had a case where the other side completely forgot to respond to written discovery. When I first reminded them of it, they ignored me. The second time, they basically said, "oh, we'll get to it in the next 2 weeks or so." Never asked for an extension, never apologized, and never even committed to a date. When I filed a Motion to Compel, they got mad at me. WTF do you expect me to do?
My inclination is to clearly be on your side on this one, but I do need to know one thing. Was this boiler-plate, form-bank, kitchen sink, bull shit written discovery requests spit out by the computer with no real thought or involvement, or did you actually tailor the inquiries to the facts and needs of the particular case?
I know some attorneys who act the way you describe to form bank,voluminous discovery requests, but who are much more accommodating if you cut the requests all the way down to only what you actually need.
Of course I know a greater number of attorneys who behave the way you describe regardless of which of the above two approaches is taken.
When you ask attorneys specifically about what they really dislike about practicing law they may say the intense pressure, difficult and ultra demanding clients, obstructive jerks as opposing counsels, collecting on the billing, clueless unprepared judges, the lack of flexibility and inability to take short vacations without obsessing over the practice, Office Of Bar Counsel serving as the watch dog, etc.
But then if you ask them to zone right in on the specific legal work and required projects they detest the most, they will often say responding to written discovery. Those who have skilled subordinate attorneys and or real skilled paralegals to handle such matters, don't complain about it too much. But those who essentially run their own practice, and are only aided by a receptionist or part-time secretary type of employee, and therefore must handle a lot of this by themselves, really seem to hate it.
If you doubt me, pay attention to how well-received it is next time you serve extensive written discovery upon some attorney who basically handles everything themselves and does not really have staff to speak of.
4pm – if you don't want to or can't do the work, don't take the case.
But a huge percentage of attorneys still have that habit-as 4;00 suggests–of accepting cases that are too involved, beyond their skill set, that they don't have the support staff for, etc.
And they are too greedy to involve co-counsel who is skilled. As a result, these buffoon attorneys get defensed or are forced to settle for a fraction of what the case is worth. By not engaging co-counsel, they ironically wind up with a lot less than they would have had they not been so greedy.
I am amazed at the number of attorneys, often solo practitioners with no real support staff, thinking they can accept any case, from any area of law, as long as someone pays them a retainer or they think they may eventually make money off. Then, as 4:00 points out, these morons ignore the case, which includes ignoring the discovery requests.
I think our local Federal Public Defender's Office has done some remarkable work this year, on various cases. I admire the quality of their advocacy despite long odds and very difficult cases.
(And no, I do not work in that office.)
Shoutout to all the good assistants out there. I don't know if your boss appreciates all you do, but there's nothing better than calling an opposing counsel and being able to speak to their assistant and get issues resolved.
Seriously, the good assistants are the real heroes. One of my biggest annoyances with this profession is the (mis)treatment of support staff (which, I guess is a grievance I should have lodged yesterday).
Thankful for support staff!
Ditto. and taking a "tip" from Anonymous December 21, 2017 at 12:52 PM, if you'll pardon the pun, my clerks always get their Christmas bonus in cash.
A Very Merry Christmas to you all.
Thank you. The good assistants miss the days before being assigned to 4-10 attorneys was the norm. Firms might be saving $ towards overhead but we are not able to function at our best or help our attorneys be as successful as we used to be able to do now that we are spread so thin.
to 4:31…this is probably not much consolation to you, but some of us do see that and try our best to make your lives easier when and how we can. Unfortunately, we often times are not the individuals making these decisions.
Just saw this regarding the "Libertarian Tip" and it seems like a nice idea. Do you guys see any obvious problems with it?
http://www.lpnevada.org/libertarian_tip
I always try to leave cash tips. I think this is a great idea. Servers should always tip their bussers and cooks or they may not get their tables cleared or food timely. The downside of this is servers also are taxed on at least 10% of the check whether they get a tip or not.
Yes. It's taxable income. It's not a gift at all, particularly since it was given in connection with a service. These guys are morons.
-signed, a libertarian who has actually read the relevant tax sections.
Is no one going to make an Archer joke?
Attorneys who regularly contribute to searchable resources for others: Shout out to Mike Mills for his 3 Nevada law blogs (listed in the "links" section of this blog) and to Michael Lowry for his Compelling Discovery blog and of course to Quickdrawmclaw and lawdawg for publishing this blog 🙂
+1 for Mike Lowry. His blog is incredibly helpful for young lawyers like myself.
I also saw him present a very well-reasoned argument as to why his Motion should be granted (to Judge Crocket) even after the Judge said he was going to deny it. After his arguments, Crocket changed his mind. So, yeah, nice work Mike!
To: 3:01:I have mixed feelings about how you described the judge's on record commentary and decision making.
It's good that he had an open mind, was open to the data which contradicted his initial impression, and showed the flexibility, humility and willingness to change his mind.
The not so good part, IMO, from how you describe it, is that he clearly said he would rule one way on the motion and then eventually reversed course and ruled the opposite way. This would seem to place an inordinate amount of importance on oral argument on the motion calendar, while most motions should be determined on the paperwork which is the result of a discussion of all the relevant law and its applicability to the matter at hand. If a matter is fully and appropriately briefed, and there are no key facts or critical law omitted from the briefs, I'm concerned that a couple minutes oral argument would change a judge's mind, unless it were a quite close call, which it apparently was not if the judge stated at the top that his intent was to deny the motion.
Now,it's much more appropriate in my estimation, to perhaps indicate the possible direction, or preliminary indication, a judge is leaning toward unless there is something brought to their attention which should cause a different result. So, was it more nuanced and qualified such as that, or did he actually directly state he intended to deny it, but allowed some argument for the record and then changed his mind?
Some judges have indicated that one thing they learned quickly in their career on the bench was not to indicate a lean or a preconceived notion on the record if you really wished to retain the option of heading in the other direction.That way, if they keep the preconceived notion to themselves, the attorneys will never know the judge changed their mind.
3:01 here.
It was more nuanced than I put it, but if you've practiced in front of Crocket he often will present his understanding of the issues in the motions and then say he is inclined to rule a certain way unless he missed something. Then he'll let the lawyers make their arguments.
+1 for the Nevada Business Law blog for its section on elements of claims, the litigation toolbox, Arbitration toolbox and mediation toolbox. Great resources for us newer attorneys.
Jeff Sessions to investigate Myrhe incompetence.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/21/jeff-sessions-orders-examination-bundy-case/
I agree with most of these postings about very valuable works and projects attorneys are involved in, beyond their practice, which greatly benefits others.
But simply posting those matters on blogs like this, or placing it on social media, only has very limited impact.
Some of these deeds need to be broadly disseminated, like in the RJ and broadcast(or on line) news, and they are not.
I'm afraid I agree with 9:06 and 9:14. The media will only provide very limited, and very non-prominent, coverage to altruistic deeds by attorneys, because they perceive it is a boring subject. But if the same lawyers who are doing good deeds attract some controversy, like being arrested for something or caught with a hooker or drugs, the news is all over it.
That is very sad that the media always caters to those who lap up salacious content and negativity and suffering, but have little or no interest in stories concerning charity and altruism.
But the media has studied these matters exhaustively, understands the psychology behind it all, and are catering to human nature and its baser instincts.
That is why the lawyer who provided significant funds or services to those in need will only attract serious media attention when he is picked up for soliciting a prostitute(as 9:14 points out).
Egan Walker appointed to Second JD. Goes to show that the appointment panels often put up the strongest candidate and 2 lessers so that the Governor is given a clear direction to appoint.
Egan is a good guy and a qualified candidate. Kind of surprised he got the nod, however, as that simply creates another opening on the court requiring a repeat of the same process.
A much more efficient process would be to follow what other states do within the court, and is done to a lesser extent in Nevada… transfers between the various divisions of the District Court. There may be 3 primary divisions within the District Court (Civil, Criminal and Family) but all are part of the same singular court with all of the judges being District Judges.
In this instance, had Egan been able to transfer divisions, another existing judge would have the option to transfer to Egan's docket and absent anyone volunteering.. the newly appointed judge would be assigned that docket. Each time an opening would be created (retirement or otherwise) you give the existing judges the option to trade divisions (normally by seniority but the needs of the court always trumps seniority) and the new judge receives the empty seat.
Simple, efficient and ends the debate whether one division is superior to the other divisions.
Is the ATMS basement party happening today?
Yes, all of their creditors are drinking the Mormon spiked egg nog.
No, they don't have a basement any longer. Instead they are tossing associates who didn't make the billing quotas out of the new windows.
They have windows? They cannot pay their bills, but they will probably make the legal elite like Hemonajski did, however the hell you spell his name.
Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals. And a happy New Year.