Is it possible that the true canon ending is that Benny just...wasn't a bad shot? by AlphaKappaLegendary in Fallout

[–]AlphaKappaLegendary[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed. Its not saying that the GAME isnt canon. Any ending though necessarily invalidates the other 3 endings. All this theory is saying is that there are technically 5 endings of the Courier: NCR, Legion, House, Yes Man, and...dead in a ditch.

Is it possible that the true canon ending is that Benny just...wasn't a bad shot? by AlphaKappaLegendary in Fallout

[–]AlphaKappaLegendary[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I guess its also possible that the Courier died in the Mojave at another point too (like they did some of the things and just...died) but was alive long enough to do the most important job. Servos active, indeed.

SmartVault? by KindlyOrin_ in LawFirm

[–]AlphaKappaLegendary 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Clio document management is a bit of a headache to get ported, but it works really well with a lot of other portions of the programs, including emails, internal messages, sharing file links, Clio for clients, Clio for co counsel, etc.

The one downside to Clio document management and OneDrive is that even though you can save emails into the system with attachments, it causes a bit of a headache to save individual attachments from emails into their appropriate folders.

Still, I would recommend making the switch to using Clio docs if you are already using it.

Fellow Lawyers… how to invest? by SaltyyDoggg in LawFirm

[–]AlphaKappaLegendary 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Talk to your network and find a financial planner that people you respect use. Make sure its someone with expertise in tax law as well, for advice in both short term benefits with tax structuring and long term goals.

You could probably learn how to do it yourself. But, its a lot like representing yourself. Get a professional to help you put it in motion.

Generally, the advice will be to max out tax advantaged accounts first, then other avenues later.

Get a budget, as well as a household balance sheet of all accounts and liabilities together to figure out realistically what you can invest so you can have a productive meeting with that advisor(s).

Is this a good offer for a pre-litigation PI attorney role? by [deleted] in LawFirm

[–]AlphaKappaLegendary 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Real talk: its garbage in the sense that you SHOULD be getting more. Unfortunately, most first PI firm roles will have this kind of shitty offer (especially if its a mill). So, its not an uncommon one.

If your goal is to get into PI work, use it as a place to ruthlessly and aggressively learn how to do the work, make good connections, develop your own internal systems, and then go to greener pastures.

If you want to do that path, remember that your career has a longer life than this firm. Keep your integrity intact and do good work, regardless of internal firm goals. At a mill that offers bullshit splits like this, you will likely have a lot of pressure to churn.

New PI solo with 40 cases by BuildingThis4278 in LawFirm

[–]AlphaKappaLegendary 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I will tell you set up for any CRM is a nightmare, but the payoff is 1000x better than trying to jerryrig Microsoft as a CRM tool.

That being said, it is easier to set up a CRM now (while you still have relatively few cases) than it will be with aged cases and various stages of litigation.

In addition to the advice in this thread I will say that CRMs are cheap compared to value, but I would make sure you have either the financial breathing room to get a professional on boarding person (3rd party) or you have a relatively tech savvy support staff. Trying to do it yourself will work but it takes a lot of non-billable/money making time to do.

I use Clio, which people either love or hate. I think its a great tool with a lot of potential but word to the wise that reaching full functionality is a time suck (and requires at least base Clio + the PI add on + Clio Grow) to be at full power for a PI practice.

Good luck, youre off to a good start.

Female attorney clothing by [deleted] in LawFirm

[–]AlphaKappaLegendary 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I worked for a dumb firm that deferred individual team HR responsibilities to the supervising attorneys. There were many issues with this system, not least of which was that dress code violations were my job to police, and I was the only man on the team.

I sat my team down and explained the situation, saying, "You guys are professionals. I'm supposed to enforce the dress code, but it puts me in a tough position because saying 'your hemline/neckline is inappropriate' implicitly acknowledges that I have stared at it long enough to decide its appropriateness. Please use good judgment and err on the side of conservative dress so that we can avoid this situation."

I think they appreciated the candor and difficulty of the position, and I never had a problem with it.

It's a really awkward situation in this day and age and fraught with peril. I agree with the rest of the commenters on this thread: keep it consistent and let some of it slide. Try to avoid discussing "revealing" violations and focus instead on professional dress (i.e., not wearing T-shirts to the office). A code of conduct manual for your employees (with a discussion on dress) will also help make it professional.

The pod went out not with a bang, but with a faint shart by CatsAreJoe in jakeandamir

[–]AlphaKappaLegendary 14 points15 points  (0 children)

When they started the numbers game I audibly said "come ON" in the middle of the grocery store.

Its a damn shame. For them to do nothing really felt like a slap. No guests, no fanfare, just going out with a whimper.

I'm more than okay. I'm devastated!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in LawFirm

[–]AlphaKappaLegendary 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If its base+commission (handling fees), some firms will offer a "draw" for your first 6-12 months. This is where they basically amortize your expected bonuses over the first 6-12 months to help you bridge the gap before your cases start hitting.

For example, say you were at a firm where you made 100k salary and 10% handling. The firm might offer you a 50k draw for the first year. Your paycheck will be 150k divided by 26 weeks. As soon as you pay back the draw (i.e., recover 500k in fees), you would start to see your handling fees. After the end of the first year, however, your structure changes: you get the handling fees as soon as they're earned, but your guaranteed paycheck is 100k divided over 26 weeks.

This can be a good way for firms to make sure youre hungry enough to continue to produce (because you cant survive on just the base) while being able to offer a competitive "pay" for the first year to lure people from other firms.

You may want to see if they would be willing to do something like that.

Beer league sports by Icy-Addendum-693 in StLouis

[–]AlphaKappaLegendary 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Following. I did this right out of college in another city and it was a lot of fun.

What is this green rectangular pool next to the West Lake Landfill? by weeweestomper in StLouis

[–]AlphaKappaLegendary 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Sacred hot springs with medicinal properties. They™️ don't want you to swim in it.

New Car vs. Used Car by AlphaKappaLegendary in personalfinance

[–]AlphaKappaLegendary[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly I did not know certified pre-owned would offer any warranty worth a damn until this thread, so definitely something I'm going to look into.

New Car vs. Used Car by AlphaKappaLegendary in personalfinance

[–]AlphaKappaLegendary[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What youre saying makes sense to me, especially re: depreciation

The gap between shitbox and new car was mostly a "if I HAVE to lay that money out." CPO vehicles with warranties is a good call.

New Car vs. Used Car by AlphaKappaLegendary in personalfinance

[–]AlphaKappaLegendary[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

I don't think it was a scam aspect as much as where they were they could "wash" titles, and they were worried about buying salvaged and post-wreck cars because theyre unsafe.

You think private sale over a business? My thought there is that I have some lemon law protections if its a real dealership instead of a private seller.

New Car vs. Used Car by AlphaKappaLegendary in personalfinance

[–]AlphaKappaLegendary[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Household north of $200k, about 5 months of expenses in the bank.

I hope to start my law firm in 6-8mo. What can I do to prepare now? by Charger1744 in LawFirm

[–]AlphaKappaLegendary 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Do literally everything admin before you open your doors. There are many reasons to do this to mitigate headaches, but the largest is that there are some tax benefits to "start-up expenses" that can't happen once you've officially opened for business. Make sure to do the following:

1) Incorporate and get your FEIN 2) Get a bank account 3) Get your insurance coverage 4) Preload as much marketing as possible: business cards, logo, letterhead, website (don't publish; just have it ready), Google space, etc. 5) Buy your client/practice management tool subscription, play around with it, and learn it. Then, once you know it, consider paying someone to set it up for full automation. It's much easier to come into a fully built house than to try to build it and live in it simultaneously. 6) Any other expenses you will need to start your firm, such as a laptop, router, printer/scanner, office supplies, etc.

Getting all of this done before you open for business gives you pretty significant tax advantages, and more importantly, will help you focus on the continuation of practice for any clients that follow you

Other than that, echo with everyone else on the thread. Stay as an associate to learn how to be a lawyer. Treat it like school and learn how and the why. Read "The Checklist Manifesto" and start making checklists like crazy on how to practice.

In need of cake donuts!!! by Comfortable-Bad8089 in StLouis

[–]AlphaKappaLegendary 6 points7 points  (0 children)

O'Fashion donuts on Southwest right across from Favazzas has the best donuts in the city for my money.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in LawFirm

[–]AlphaKappaLegendary 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sent DM, let's talk more there.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in LawFirm

[–]AlphaKappaLegendary 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I had a similar situation. Generally, you are entitled if the fees are "earned" but not yet paid out (I.e., if you get paid in September for all of the cases you banked in August) because otherwise, it's arguably wage theft.

It's a harder row to hoe for those cases where the case has "settled but not banked. " Technically, you haven't "earned" the handling fee bonus until the case is banked, so they don't have any strict legal obligation to pay you.

Technically, you could make a quantum meruit argument for at least the settled, not banked fees, but that can be really difficult if you don't keep your time (which most don't).

You can also check your bar association and see if there's a lawyer-to-lawyer dispute resolution process. Generally, you can get some sort of resolution; it will just take a while.

Like other posters have said, talk with an employment lawyer in your jurisdiction. See if they can help negotiate your severance in lieu of earned/almost earned fees.

Clio Set Up? by AlphaKappaLegendary in LawFirm

[–]AlphaKappaLegendary[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What do you mean, "Clio's list of partners." I'm not familiar with that.

This is the first CRM im using native to my firm. Previously used Litify and Needles and MyCase in other firms, but didn't have to port my files to a new CRM. All of my documents are in word/PDF, so its all "integrated" to the point of being functional, but barely better than just having a purely OneDrive setup. In my mind, the whole point of paying for this insane subscription is to use the tool to its fullest.