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Just went solo lmao I'm going to die
Poast new message in this thread
Date: April 21st, 2017 10:58 AM Author: bipolar menage Two months in and I have $300 in gross revenue. I was not planning to have a contingency-based practice but those are the clients that are calling. It is scary as hell because I have no clue if these cases are worth $20K or zero, and whether they're going to pay out in a couple months or two years. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126151) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 10:58 AM Author: fluffy snowy travel guidebook spot Ballsy
Good luck bro |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:00 AM Author: Cocky heaven wrinkle Where is TT when you need him?
Just keep cracking brother, you'll come out on top. |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:44 AM Author: Rebellious Meetinghouse Cuckoldry You shouldn't be going solo if you can't evaluate your cases. Being able to bring in business, and knowing which cases to turn away, are by far the two most important skills for a solo. They are much more important than actually being a good lawyer. Get a mentor that you can run this shit by before you lose your ass. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126696) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:41 PM Author: disturbing tantric boiling water THIS
"Being able to bring in business, and knowing which cases to turn away, are by far the two most important skills for a solo" |
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Date: November 28th, 2017 4:59 PM Author: Trip opaque orchestra pit prole (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34791798) |
Date: April 21st, 2017 10:59 AM Author: Motley Sound Barrier Locale Get friendly with the local ID mill. Get them to settle for pennies on the dollar. Easy work . |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:08 AM Author: swashbuckling black hospital depressive what kind of work?
What's your background? |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:14 AM Author: bipolar menage I have a great resume on paper. Law Review, Clerkship, small "boutique" firm, then several years of BIGLAW. The clients I'm signing don't even ask, and they wouldn't recognize the firm if they did.
I actually feel that it would've been better to come from a non-biglaw background because the clients I worked with there have no use for a solo attorney. |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:21 PM Author: gay bawdyhouse I can see that. Your clients probably think the local law school >>> your T14 unless if it's HYS. Do you have the Davis Polk messenger bag in the corner against the wall?
Best of luck, brother. My ex worked in shitlaw for a few years, and her boss was loaded. A large part of his success was knowing which cases were landmines or goldmines. |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:28 PM Author: bipolar menage No one has even asked where I went to school or what my experience is - I don't think it even occurs to them. They all just ask "do you take this kind of case?" If you say yes they assume you must know what you're doing. Anyway, I did go to the local LS. I could never have done this if I had spent the last few years paying back $100K+ in student loans.
TY - my first boss was loaded too, basically as a solo (<5 attorneys in firm). Very sadly he passed away. |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:57 PM Author: gay bawdyhouse Yea, just be careful with the vices brother. I used to meet up with a bunch of solos and my GF on Friday nights. Most were generally chill bros, but a few were alcoholic coke heads. They'd ball the fuck out of control when they got a giant paycheck only to be broke the following month begging for someone to toss them a case. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127344) |
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Date: April 24th, 2017 10:10 AM Author: bipolar menage This is completely accurate. Some of these guys are absolute degens. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33148087) |
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Date: September 12th, 2017 11:32 PM Author: multi-colored clear factory reset button ladyboy sounds 180 (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34197499) |
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Date: April 22nd, 2017 7:57 AM Author: Irradiated theater stage Clients probably think Law Review was musical theatre (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33132966) |
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Date: September 12th, 2017 11:32 PM Author: multi-colored clear factory reset button ladyboy (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34197500) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:10 AM Author: Sooty slap-happy queen of the night Stay the course brother. You need 9-12 months to get up and running (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126306) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:17 AM Author: bipolar menage Yeah I think 12 months is a reasonable time to reassess. The one good thing about biglaw is that I saved enough money to go 24 months (or more) without making anything at all. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126395) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:46 AM Author: ruddy bateful foreskin plaza then why are you bitching about 2 months then? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126702) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:47 AM Author: bipolar menage just starting a conversation (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126715) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:48 AM Author: ruddy bateful foreskin plaza not a pain i would necessarily spare you (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126719) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:42 PM Author: disturbing tantric boiling water (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127199) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 4:19 PM Author: Marvelous mood You need to get in contact with Calishitlawmo. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33128972) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:47 PM Author: Sooty slap-happy queen of the night Sounds like you've planned well. Use other lawyers as your primary marketing tool- they can be 180 for referrals (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127259) |
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Date: November 28th, 2017 5:00 PM Author: Trip opaque orchestra pit prole (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34791805) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:16 AM Author: Passionate abode laser beams Props on having the balls to do this (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126389) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:19 AM Author: bipolar menage ty. This was actually the #1 response from my co-workers. Biglawyers are a very risk averse group. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126425) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:22 AM Author: Amethyst charismatic house Are you straight outta lawschool or work for another firm first? What kind of experience? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126477) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:30 AM Author: bipolar menage Nah I've been out a decade. Appellate clerk, small firm, big firm. I don't think I would've had the confidence in myself until 8 years. Seeing classmates who were objectively dumber than me get named partners at local firm while I was on the biglaw 15-year partnership track was also a deciding factor. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126563) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:27 PM Author: Amethyst charismatic house Shit, you ought to be able to make it work. Are you just doing general civil lit? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127053) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:33 PM Author: bipolar menage Basically. Another solo is pushing me to take family law cases "to keep the lights on" but I don't think it's worth it to learn a whole new area of law (especially where I'd be stuck billing at like $175). I'd rather stick with what I know I'm good at.
I know you went solo a couple years ago. Did you continue working in the same practice areas as in biglaw, or did you switch? |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:37 PM Author: Amethyst charismatic house Pretty much the same practice area for me. Non-patent IP and related business matters (transactional and lit).
There's not a ton of competition in my space among other solos, so that helps.
Best sources of business for me have been Avvo (advertising and answering questions) and referrals from other solos (getting active among other solos in bar associations, etc. can be a big deal). |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:46 PM Author: bipolar menage How long until you turned a profit? I feel like Avvo has been mostly a waste of time. Some leads but it is a big time suck to answer questions. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127238) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 1:05 PM Author: Amethyst charismatic house Definitely true that most people asking questions on Avvo are just looking for free legal advice. Nowadays I only answer questions when I've got significant downtime, but I've picked up a handful of good clients that way.
I'm as low overhead as they come, so I was turning a profit pretty much immediately (luckily the firm I left sent me a little bit of work my first couple months until they figured out who else they could give that work to). It was about 6 months before I had a month where I thought "Shit, if I can bring in this much money every month we won't starve/have to sell the house/etc." |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:24 AM Author: Vivacious french chef all personal injury cases? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126500) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:35 AM Author: bipolar menage No I don't know the first thing about personal injury. I think those would be better because the timeline is quicker - you can settle presuit etc. The insurance company knows they have to pay, it's just a question of how much. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126614) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:45 AM Author: Vivacious french chef so what kinds of cases are you taking on (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126698) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:50 AM Author: bipolar menage employment, breach of K, trade secret. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126736) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:50 AM Author: Impertinent Red Theatre Idiot yuck (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126743) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:55 AM Author: Vivacious french chef explain for a tranny. aren't these all better than PI? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126791) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:02 PM Author: bipolar menage They are definitely less crowded markets, so it's easier to get clients. I also have way better credentials than the average local attorney in this space. But the defendants tend to fight them harder and the jurisprudence isn't as plaintiff-friendly. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126826) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:05 PM Author: orchid address old irish cottage ljl (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126860) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:26 PM Author: Rebellious Meetinghouse Cuckoldry This is one of the most basic parts of small firm law: NEVER TAKE A COMMERCIAL LITIGATION CASE ON A CONTINGENCY BASIS. Employment law is OK assuming you have an understanding of the procedural hoops you have to jump through to file suit and win, but LJL at breach of contract and trade secrets. For one, you're going to get bogged down defending counterclaims for free. You're also inviting a conflict of interest with your client when non-monetary settlement terms are brokered (as they often are in these kinds of cases), and you have no way of getting paid under the deal your client wants to make. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127041) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:30 PM Author: bipolar menage Guess I will learn that one the hard way. What do you do? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127083) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:38 PM Author: Amethyst charismatic house I wouldn't say never, but definitely only take the real strong cases with good damages/attorney fee claims. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127163) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 4:17 PM Author: Rebellious Meetinghouse Cuckoldry Yeah there are exceptions but OP clearly doesn't know enough to identify them. And chances are that if he gets one of those "real strong cases with good damages/attorney fee claims" he's going to have collectibility issues even if he wins it. Or if the defendant is well-funded, they will fight tooth and nail through appeals.
There are a lot of pitfalls to the commercial cases that a new solo would get. Usually the real winners in those kinds of cases are the attorneys because the hourly fees they collect (on both sides) are far in excess of what the clients end up benefiting in the end. Take that case on a contingency and you're taking on all that systemic risk. |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:43 PM Author: Vivacious french chef very helpful, ty (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127200) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 3:00 PM Author: yapping pit "This is one of the most basic parts of small firm law: NEVER TAKE A COMMERCIAL LITIGATION CASE ON A CONTINGENCY BASIS."
Maybe not "never."
I've had some construction (mechanic's) lien cases that were done on hybrid or contingency arrangements.
That can be a decent deal, particularly when the property securing the lien is worth more than the credit of the client. |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 3:26 PM Author: bipolar menage This one went to default so now I have to try to collect. ljl (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33766184) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 1:03 PM Author: Contagious casino mad cow disease Plaintiff's employment is a really hard way to make a living. Hell, it's 12 months just to get your right to sue letter for any sort of discrimination claim. Then you get to deal with very well funded defense attorneys. That is no fun. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127394) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:47 AM Author: swashbuckling black hospital depressive you know anyone who can help you with these?
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:46 AM Author: racy school circlehead How much to retain you for the night (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126705) |
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Date: November 28th, 2017 5:52 PM Author: disturbing tantric boiling water Wait. . .I don't think he said that he was gay. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34792371) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:49 AM Author: fishy duck-like dilemma rigpig i'm coming with you, Jerry! (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126729) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:08 PM Author: Orange sinister boistinker national what about net (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126885) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:15 PM Author: bipolar menage Startup costs were actually less than I expected. Laptop, $100 in office supplies, some software. My office isn't available until summer so that's when expenses really crank up. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126937) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:31 PM Author: Amethyst charismatic house You don't need an office (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127088) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:33 PM Author: bipolar menage 3 kids out of school for the summer say I need an office. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127108) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:39 PM Author: Amethyst charismatic house Maybe so. Working from my home office has worked surprisingly well for me, even with a couple kids, but it can be a pain sometimes. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127177) |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 11:28 PM Author: Chrome glittery stag film deer antler Wait, don't clients assume you are TTT if you don't have a fancy office? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33770120) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:48 PM Author: Sooty slap-happy queen of the night And you need a Conf room for clients. Regus? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127265) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:53 PM Author: bipolar menage No, it's a full time office. I just think it makes psychological sense for me to split my day up into clearly-work time and clearly-home time. Plus if I'm going to have an office I want a place where I can leave my files and computer. I don't want to be dragging that shit back and forth every day. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127310) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:54 PM Author: free-loading adventurous location Could locate in a wework space, lots of small businesses, etc. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127315) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 1:07 PM Author: Amethyst charismatic house I tried that for a bit. Didn't like it. Regus is kind of a ripoff, but I use a similar type of space. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127422) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 1:13 PM Author: free-loading adventurous location What don't you like about WeWork? Have been considering going there myself if I ever go solo.. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127476) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 1:36 PM Author: bipolar menage I'd be worried about confidentiality issues. Down here these spaces are all "open" offices with like 5' foot partitions that you can easily see over and lots of common areas. They also give off a millenial startup vibe with bright colors and goofy shit on the walls. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127700) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 2:52 PM Author: Amethyst charismatic house It wasn't WeWork specifically, but a co-working space. Basically anything I did there I could have done from home without any commute, and it was actually a little easier to take/schedule phone calls from home, despite having wife/kids in the the house. I spoke with a few people co-working there absout this and that, but never ended up getting any actual clients from it. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33128327) |
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Date: July 10th, 2017 3:37 PM Author: Fear-inspiring honey-headed chapel sweet tailpipe (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33743173) |
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Date: July 10th, 2017 3:37 PM Author: sapphire splenetic shrine striped hyena OP is dead. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33743176) |
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Date: July 10th, 2017 3:48 PM Author: bipolar menage should I have stayed and gunned for of counsel? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33743290) |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 11:59 AM Author: Soggy bbw sandwich Nah. I made 35K agi my first year. In year 4 I made 220K in pretty low COL city. Mostly dui and traffic tickets. some PI and workman's comp. Helps having a spouse making good money too. But I play golf once or twice a week now and have staff handle intake and keep current clients happy. Stick with it bro. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33764676) |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 3:03 PM Author: bipolar menage ty sounds 180. I keep telling myself it is a long term decision. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33766005) |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 12:00 PM Author: Ungodly Dashing Fat Ankles Good luck brother! (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33764683) |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 12:01 PM Author: Cowardly karate shitlib Awesome, good luck bro. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33764686) |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 3:10 PM Author: Vivacious french chef what's your legal background-- gen lit? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33766050) |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 3:17 PM Author: bipolar menage yeah, although I do have a solo-friendly specialty. It's not like I was in antitrust (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33766102) |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 3:18 PM Author: Vivacious french chef gl bro. living the dream. I yugely regret going for corporate out of LS because i'm now tied to GC at the hip (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33766116) |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 3:18 PM Author: Lascivious Persian Turdskin So.. How has it gone (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33766107) |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 11:05 PM Author: Sooty slap-happy queen of the night I want to jump off your cliff but (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33769992) |
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Date: September 12th, 2017 11:25 PM Author: fragrant juggernaut sanctuary update? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34197472) |
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Date: September 12th, 2017 11:31 PM Author: Cocky heaven wrinkle He's poasting a lot. He needs to get out golfing or run for shitoffice. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34197493) |
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Date: November 26th, 2017 8:25 PM Author: fragrant juggernaut sanctuary (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34777433) |
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Date: November 28th, 2017 9:28 AM Author: bipolar menage took off Thanksgiving week for first time in my working life, left office at 10 am on Wednesday and didn't do a lick of work until Monday morning. didn't even respond to emails until Monday. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34788270) |
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Date: November 28th, 2017 2:21 PM Author: Provocative Place Of Business are you making money yet? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34790407) |
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Date: November 28th, 2017 4:53 PM Author: bipolar menage not quite but check again at the 1 year mark things are looking up friend! (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34791730) |
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Date: November 28th, 2017 4:54 PM Author: Indigo stirring gunner What savings did you have (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34791737) |
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Date: November 28th, 2017 4:55 PM Author: bipolar menage enough (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34791754) |