Join our group on LinkedIn

The New Lawyer's Section of the Maine State Bar Association has indeed created a group where you can get LinkedIn!

Members of our Section know that networking can be even more fun and effective when you add 21st Century tools. . .

If you are already an NLS member -- we'll approve you immediately. If not, go to the Maine State Bar Association Website and become an MSBA member now - if you're eligible to join our Section, we'd be glad to get you LinkedIn ASAP.

So who is eligible to join the NLS? Any Maine attorney with an active bar license issued within the last five years. Even if you've practiced longer than five years you are still eligible so long as you are under 36 years old.

Poll 1: Do You Like the "Idea" of Being a Lawyer?

The results are in: minimalist expression reigns supreme here in Vacationland.

It makes me cringe: 17%
Ayuh: 58%
Always have always will: 17%
It's not an "idea," it's a way of life: 23%

Make sure to weigh in on Poll 2 . . ."Faux Lawyers" . . .and Poll 3 "Your Specialities" over there in the right column -->

U.S. Supreme Court Justices Interviews

As described in a recent article in Corporate Counsel, In 2006-2007, Bryan Garner interviewed eight of the nine Supreme Court Justices about legal writing and advocacy. These are the complete interviews. Because the files are large, the videos may take a few moments to start playing.

LawProse is making these interviews available as a public service. Anyone may freely use these videos for educational purposes, with appropriate attribution to Bryan Garner or LawProse.

Maine Courthouses - Call for Facade Photos

Next time you go to a courthouse around the state - snap an image with your cell phone or digital camera of the facade. We'll create a rotating slideshow for the blawg so that attorneys can get a visual of where they may need to drive for work one day soon. Extra points for those with an artistic eye . . .

Email images to nlsmainestatebar(at) gmail.com

Warmer Weather Work Clothes

So you're a new-ish lawyer in Maine and you've got your stock of suits . . . .etc. But it just got warmer outside people! We all know that the second the temperature rises and gives us even a glimpse of spring in our spare time the shorts go on and the hiking/running/biking/kayaking/sailing/go-carting and whatever else outdoors urge overtakes. Okay, maybe not go-carting. But then having to wear the suit or whatever else to the office each day when you're not in Court and not at a client meeting cramps your style and compromises comfort even more than usual. Not everyone has the cash to get an entire wardrobe full of "warm weather suits." So. . . gradually within the realm of acceptable the "dressed up" version of "dressy casual" starts to sneak in. . . For men -- I'd be interested to hear what the options are to dress it down a little bit. How flexible is your workplace re: clothing year round? Do rules change with the seasons? For women, is this just an area where things are always more flexible? The WSJ Juggle blog has something to say about pregnant professionals dealing with dress code problems. Sounds rough.

This area is where the non-firm lawyers have everyone beat. Maine feels like a fairly conservative place as far as firm culture goes, which is surprising given how outdoorsy people and their clients are in this state.

U Maine Law's Exam Review Series Podcasts Online

This just in from blawgger "Legally Blonde" :

The University of Maine School of Law's Bar Exam review series has been posted as a series of podcasts on the Maine Law website. This is a great resource for lawyers from out-of-state who need to pass questions 1 & 2 on the exam to be admitted here...

Check it out.

Husson College of Law?

There has been healthy debate about the desirability of multiple law schools in Maine. The Husson College proposal to open a non-accredited law school in Bangor is of great interest. We've heard a lot of pro's and con's. Do you have any opinion?

Maine Law Blawg Launches

Okay - here goes. Maine is fairly remote and sometimes the legal community can feel isolated. This blawg is your outlet to the world. New lawyers - old lawyers - lawyers in between. Lawyers from away that want to experience the way life should be and those from nearby that want to talk about how life could be, this space is for you.

This is a space for serious legal discussion and rumination, feedback and treatment of cutting edge legal issues of interest to lawyers in Maine, nationally and worldwide. This is also a lighthearted forum where it's alright to enjoy a laugh with your colleagues now and again.

Please speak up -- post -- ask questions, and share experiences. We want to hear what you're thinking!