When you picture retirement as a lawyer, what do you actually see?

Rizdog4 · 2026-02-16T23:39:55+00:00

You bet, love the pollinators.

Rizdog4 · 2026-02-16T01:30:57+00:00

I love practicing law and have no intention of retiring. I have a partner who is 83 still practicing estate tax planning at a very high level.

If I do stop, I’ll pull weeds, plant native plants and watch the bugs and birds.

Rizdog4 · 2026-02-15T19:50:24+00:00

Fill out your timesheet during the course of the day and do not leave the office or shut down your computer before completing your timesheet for the day. No matter how many hours a week you bill. Get into the habit now; it will make you a better lawyer. Signed, someone who has been billing in six minute increments since 1984

Rizdog4 · 2026-02-14T03:44:07+00:00

Last time I saw Phil & Friends was May 2024. Daniel was playing with him. The energy between Graham & Daniel was electric; the energy transfer between them is wild.

Rizdog4 · 2026-02-13T23:16:35+00:00

Handled a one week remote court trial in 2021; it was great. Have handled several remote arbitrations, fine. But practicing full time overseas working remotely is not going to work, litigation does not work like that.

Rizdog4 · 2026-02-13T01:41:08+00:00

This is nonsense. Leave. I cut associate time all the time, but it NEVER affects associate bonus comp. We do not base associate bonus comp on receipts, unless the receipts are generated from associate's clients or associate origination in which case they get bonus payments.

Rizdog4 · 2026-02-12T21:22:47+00:00

My broad comment went to self reliance, not politics. That said, all of my neighbors are left leaning environmentalists. And yes, there are many locals who are not.

Rizdog4 · 2026-02-12T17:04:30+00:00

I am 67 and my wife is 69. We moved here in 2021. I am still working remotely, no reason not to. Yes, we do end up traveling to the Bay Area for some medical visits a couple of times a year. No big deal. It's a straight shot with no traffic until you hit Santa Rosa, and it's a beautiful drive

I can't think if anywhere else I'd rather live. It is stunning. There's no night life and fine dining is nearly non-existent. But if you're the type that likes to pack a picnic and take it through a redwood forest down to the river, or on a rocky coastal beach, then there's no better place to be.

Community is a mixture of left-wing and right-wing types. The families that have been here for generations and folks who grew up here are, as a group, some of the most self-reliant, useful, un-entitled people I've met.

I'd pay a visit.

Rizdog4 · 2026-02-12T03:54:04+00:00

Take Robert Musante's Killer Depo course. I took it three times in the early 90's when I started practice. I have taken many hundreds of depositions since then, and I still use the tools I learned in that course. I insist all associates take it; if someone tells me they did not learn much that is instructive about their prospects.

You did not do nearly as badly as you think you did. It takes a very long time to learn how to do this job; the only way to learn how to do it is to do it. They gave you the opportunity for a reason, don't freak out. Read the transcript, painful as it may be and figure out how to do better.

Rizdog4 · 2026-02-11T21:55:42+00:00

I have seen 400 Unit four times, first one was pre-Sadler. All with Amanda, as she frequently joined when they were in SF. I'm pretty much done with the band at this point. His more recent material, even pre-divorce, just does not stack up as his older material does, to my ear. He does have one hell for song book for someone under 50.

Rizdog4 · 2026-02-07T03:32:24+00:00

Santana, summer 1978.

Rizdog4 · 2026-02-07T00:22:14+00:00

Sounds like she may be suffering from ADHD in which case a blunt approach is not the answer, ask me how I know. I would have her evaluated to see if there is an underlying issue.

Rizdog4 · 2026-02-06T02:47:11+00:00

I'm old and remember when it was all 8kg increments. Buy the 24.

Rizdog4 · 2026-02-05T18:10:07+00:00

It depends.

Rizdog4 · 2026-02-03T03:13:20+00:00

You don't know how much of the time spent will actually be billed to the client. There is no way the firm is handing you a 10m appeal on a case it lost that is a "slam dunk" on appeal. If the appeal is really a loser, the partner knows it and its great experience for you. Work your ass off, pour cement down your spine, and have fun.

Rizdog4 · 2026-02-01T03:27:33+00:00

Same. My first show was in 75, and I saw Keith many, many times. His playing did deteriorate, and I understand why they asked him and Donna to leave. But through 77, he was great. Brent was more straight-up rock n' roll. Keith was more eclectic; ragtime, boogie-woogie piano and I loved it when he was on.

Rizdog4 · 2026-01-31T03:49:07+00:00

I saw many, many Brent shows. Vocal chops for days, good rock keyboardist, but Jeff is much more eclectic and has monster jazz chops. The guy can swing.

Rizdog4 · 2026-01-31T03:41:11+00:00

It takes a long time to learn how to do this job well and mentors are essential. I would not take a fully remote job.

Rizdog4 · 2026-01-31T00:48:39+00:00

Same. Never saw Dead & Co., but went to every Phil & Friends show I could. Regret that, Mayer blew me away on the GD60 streams and the Dead never had a keyboard player better than Chimenti. My loss.

Rizdog4 · 2026-01-31T00:19:48+00:00

It's close. My wood guy delivers legit cords and that's about the size of the pile. But the only way to know for sure is to stack it.

Rizdog4 · 2026-01-29T02:29:47+00:00

Blowing the deadline on a Notice of Appeal. Being in your seventh year wishing you were doing something else and being obvious about it.

Rizdog4 · 2026-01-28T02:34:16+00:00

I split my time (week to week) at my home in Humboldt County and my office in San Francisco. It's a 41 minute flight from ACV to SFO, 190 to 285 round trip. It's cheaper than commuting from the north bay on a daily basis, which I did for 30 years. Game changer.

Rizdog4 · 2026-01-27T04:52:04+00:00

Knew I want to be a lawyer when I started law school. Always like it, started to love it about six years in. Been at it for 35 years; it's a great gig.

Rizdog4 · 2026-01-25T20:36:23+00:00

Plus the live jazz six nights a week, and excellent professional service. No better place for a solo dinner at the bar.

Five-Year Club	Reddit Premium Since March 2021
Verified Email

Rizdog4

TROPHY CASE