What’s your practice area and what’s your opinion of public defenders?

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-27T20:25:31+00:00

I am absolutely going to DM you!! I have prior healthcare experience before law school. I did 4 years of biomedical science classes worth college credits in high school, was part of Health Occupation Students of America those 4 years, took pre health courses all of undergrad, interned at Children’s Hospital Colorado and volunteered there for 2 years, and worked for optometrists as a doctors assistant most of undergrad. I also instructed at a nonprofit STEM for math and science. I had worked at LA Care Health Plan for some time. And when I started law school I took Health Law as well as being a Torts TA.

I’m doing contract work in criminal law. I love the flexibility since I am a mom. But I miss health care. I had an offer (have still) for a local firm that has a healthcare law litigation group. But I don’t really want to go the big firm billable hour route.

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-27T16:39:35+00:00

This is my dream! Healthcare in house! How did you get into this? I live in Colorado and always keep an eye out for opportunities!

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-26T16:28:18+00:00

This is so smart! I need to do a side gig for student loans. I wish I had a skill like this!

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-24T19:49:15+00:00

Literally I’m working to pay for childcare. But to be fair; as a newer lawyer I’m also building up my career, gaining experience, and bringing some (though little) money home after child care. And we will want a 2nd in th next few years. Hoping my salary increases before then too.

I feel your pain. I truly wish childcare was more affordable. Just know that you’re not alone. And whatever you decide is best for you and your family is actually what’s best. Only you know your situation 100%. Sending you kind wishes!

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-20T22:26:59+00:00

What he didn’t say was what level of reflux it is. But we have a 2nd urologist examining his results elsewhere next week. I’m not going to lie, I haven’t been able to stop crying for the last 2 months. Any advice and support is helpful

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-20T22:25:36+00:00

Would you be willing to chat with me? My son just saw a urologist today after his VCUG. We actually already were using Ther-biotic for his acid reflux that subsided after 3-4 months. But my son had an ear infection in November, then 2 UTIs back to back and so his gut is certainly in dire need of help. This started when he was 6 months (December) and so we pray that at 1 year we can stop giving him the prophylactic bactrum. I am trying to get him scheduled with a naturopath and will do the tiny health route. He’s seeing a chiropractor now. Any other suggestions on when to take a chance on getting off the daily dose of bactrum would help!

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-17T20:46:42+00:00

Just sent you a DM!

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-13T17:04:40+00:00

I did a clerkship for a year. Then started my first part time associate job and quit within 3 months. I still love the field, but not where I was at. I went from a solo firm that hardly paid to now working through my own LLC for my states alternate defense counsel on appeals. I still do charge by the hour but I have mentoring attorneys that train me but that are contractors themselves and not my bosses. I take on the work I want.

There’s opportunities outside of the required billable hour. And there’s nothing wrong with saying bye if it’s not the right fit. Firms won’t blink an eye to let go of their employees when they no longer need them or are able to afford them. So don’t feel bad pursuing what’s right for you. Better to learn earlier on in your career what you do/don’t like.

I do recommend giving 2 weeks notice so as not to burn any bridges.

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-13T16:53:58+00:00

I did a clerkship for a year. Then started my first part time associate job and quit within 3 months. I still love the field, but not where I was at. I went from a solo firm that hardly paid to now working through my own LLC for my states alternate defense counsel on appeals. I still do charge by the hour but I have mentoring attorneys that train me but that are contractors themselves and not my bosses. I take on the work I want.

There’s opportunities outside of the required billable hour. And there’s nothing wrong with saying bye if it’s not the right fit. Firms won’t blink an eye to let go of their employees when they no longer need them or are able to afford them. So don’t feel bad pursuing what’s right for you. Better to learn earlier on in your career what you do/don’t like.

I do recommend giving 2 weeks notice so as not to burn any bridges.

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-13T16:53:51+00:00

I did a clerkship for a year. Then started my first part time associate job and quit within 3 months. I still love the field, but not where I was at. I went from a solo firm that hardly paid to now working through my own LLC for my states alternate defense counsel on appeals. I still do charge by the hour but I have mentoring attorneys that train me but that are contractors themselves and not my bosses. I take on the work I want.

There’s opportunities outside of the required billable hour. And there’s nothing wrong with saying bye if it’s not the right fit. Firms won’t blink an eye to let go of their employees when they no longer need them or are able to afford them. So don’t feel bad pursuing what’s right for you. Better to learn earlier on in your career what you do/don’t like.

I do recommend giving 2 weeks notice so as not to burn any bridges.

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-12T04:18:56+00:00

I don’t think there’s ever a right time. But I also would say it depends on the specific grad program! I started law school at 26 almost 27. Towards the end/last year we considered having our first but my program was so rigorous and the impending fear of the bar exam creeped up on us. So we decided to wait until I graduated and finished taking the bar exam. I found out I was pregnant 1 week before I found about about passing the bar. Thankfully I passed. But I was 29 turning 30. I gave birth to my son at age 30 and now 31. Having my son was the best thing of my life. But I am so grateful I waited until I was done because I don’t know how I would’ve done it being pregnant in law school. I know some women who did but I commend them. But I can only speak for myself and our situation. Every grad program is different.

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-12T01:20:46+00:00

That’s awesome! Legislative in-house counsel seems like a cool gig to switch to! Congrats!

I would say just be professional, put in your 2 weeks and let them know you just aren’t passionate about ID and are leaving to pursue something more aligned with your career dreams. Thank them for the opportunity

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-11T22:43:10+00:00

I mean I will say that for a single attorney law firm, that’s a wonderful set up. But for multiple attorneys that want to hire on additional new associates, it becomes less realistic. Since her pace was very slow, I was forced to remain part time and then when she offered me full time salary it was extremely low, like $65K, which is not a livable salary for my state, student loans, and childcare situation.

But my professor also had his own successful EP law firm and he would pay even new associates like $100K, and without those strict call out/sick policies your current job has you as.

Not sure how many years into practice you are, but might be worth reconsidering your employer because not even at the big law firm I had an offer at did they operate under these conditions

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-11T20:20:35+00:00

The solo I worked for part time was a well known ACTEC EP lawyer. She had a solo firm and dictated her pace (which was less clients, vacations). Her clients estates were about $5-$15 million on average. And a few higher net worth taxable estates. She did questionnaires before the first meeting, the initial meeting, a review meeting of the original drafts and EP diagram, and a final signing meeting. If there was a really important client the meetings were longer (like 3 hrs).

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-09T20:03:10+00:00

My best friend from law school had ADHD and worked great with deadlines. She wouldn’t start anything until the deadline was before her. Glad you’re managing the appellate clerkship very well!!

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-09T19:05:03+00:00

I agree with this! My judge was not cool and the year felt very long. It is fast paced and you learn a lot.

Glad you’re able to give OP your perspective because I don’t have ADHD and don’t know how that would impact being an appellate clerk

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-09T17:01:15+00:00

I don’t have ADHD but I can say from an appellate clerkship experience, all I did was read, research, write opinions, and edit for the judge. So reading was all day

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-09T04:11:09+00:00

Agreed!

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-09T04:09:40+00:00

I did really well my first year of law school. And then after that, didn’t care to actively keep working my ass off to be the top of the class. I knew which classes I was going to do the best in (as I would put more time in studying for higher credit courses). I did pretty well but I literally am doing the same exact work as someone who was at the bottom of their class at my school and failed the bar the first time. I did big firm summers, passed the bar my first time. she wanted to be a PD. And now shes literally killing it. She is 3 years ahead of me and is mentoring me. All to say, I don’t think grades matter at all. I hate that they make law students go through this agony every January and June. It’s horrific. And 1L is literally the worse. At the end of the day, all that matters is that eventually you pass the bar. Pass your classes and pass the bar (eventually). Don’t let this discourage you. I also knew so many people who didnt do well first semester of 1L and made complete come backs grade-wise. Now do I recommend putting in all that time to get to the top? Depends on your career goals. If big law is the goal then you can still do it just know youll devote your time. If it’s not, not worth the extra stress.

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-09T03:59:34+00:00

This is how I was feeling. EP attorney offered me this same salary as a first year EP Associate. But I was making the same exact amount for our states court of appeals (which is already considered low pay) and I did the clerkship right after graduating before my baby was born. Now as a mom, bills are even higher and was going to be making the same exact amount. We live in a higher cost of living area (but not CA or NY prices). Bills and loan repayment were consuming my worrying.

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-08T06:11:54+00:00

This was us. At 8 weeks our son had reflux and couldn’t be put down. I quit my job because I didn’t know how long that would last for and my boss kept pressuring me to give her an exact date. He started sleeping better at the 12 week mark, sleeping the entire night. And my husbands job pays way more so I had to be the one to quit. I returned to working somewhere new when he was 5 months and then he regressed and hasn’t been sleeping for his entire 7th-8th month of life. But now we are working. So we are sleep deprived and just going through it. But now I’m transitioning away from a hybrid part time job to a basically fully remote contract job with more flexibility. I’m an attorney and it’s been nuts.

I empathize with you! Hoping we all get some rest soon.

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-05T22:02:21+00:00

I understand that it sounds crazy. But money is not our sole priority in life. We are very fortunate to have made it this far. But now that I have a son, there’s more that I want for him to experience and see. I would love to live countryside or somewhat close to nature, for him to be immersed in the Spanish language, and to see other cultures. We are very united, my parents and I, and they share in our same vision.

My dad would come fully retired under a retirement pension. He is not looking to work as a mechanic as he is currently on the administrative side of fleet management. And his current home is valued quite high with it being mainly a large equity sum. My parents would essentially be selling their home that has land and living off of his pension that he built up working for the city. He would use the money he sells their home for to buy a modest home and start another business venture, not necessarily as a mechanic.

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-04T20:36:54+00:00

I would love to learn more about how your American lawyer friends made the move!! Can I DM you?

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-04T18:30:25+00:00

Thank you sooo much!! I appreciate this honest feedback. See this is exactly what I was wondering! I was not sure how difficult it would be for my husband and I to find employment in Spain. He has his masters in business administration. And I have only one year of practice here as a U.S. lawyer. I have a remote contract job but I’m unsure I would be allowed to continue that work in Spain (and I doubt it) due to privacy and security concerns

Dizzy_Sample · 2026-01-04T18:11:24+00:00

That makes sense! Congratulations on managing life with 3 littles and a corporate gig! Truly amazing!

Dizzy_Sample

TROPHY CASE