law firms that are removing information about associates from their websites — e.g., any
biographical and contact information. Well, why don’t we webloggers do something about it?
Don’t we have these high-tech pulpits, bulletin boards, file cabinets? Don’t we get some pretty
snazzy search engine results?
Seems to me, we could use weblog-power to undo the undue depersonalization of associates.
We could post lists of the associates working at the various offending law firms, including as
much information as we can get about each lawyer. Then, search engines would find the info
and make it available to those wanting to identify the lawyers at a particular firm, or wanting
to contact a particular associate, or one with particular areas of expertise.
Naturally, the anonymized associates would be expected to get this information,
(in as complete, up to date and usable form as possible) to their favorite weblog editors. If
the nameless ones can’t be bothered, or can’t figure out how to do this, maybe being merely
Ms. or Mr. X, Esq is all the identification they merit.
I know this wall scribbler’s
name…
autumn dusk
update (March 14, 2005): Kevin Heller at TechLawAdvisor has offered his website as a platform for “decloaking” associates who have been “disappeared” by their law firm websites
#200,000: Meanwhile, one new associate in California has found herself in the media
spotlight, and is far from anonymous — Danika Vittitoe, a 2004 graduate of UC’s Hastings College
of the Law, in San Francisco, works in the litigation department at Arnold & Porter in Los Angeles.
No, she’s not famous for any big mistakes or scandals. On Jan. 11, 2004, she was enrolled as
Attorney No. 200,000, by the State Bar. According to the San Francisco Chronicle (Feb. 21,
2005), Ms. Vittitoe described her status as No. 200,000 as being “‘a little embarrassing,” but “said
there’s nothing wrong with being a lawyer.” [rousing endorsement, eh?]
A&P does provide vita and contact information for each of its attorneys, including associate Vittitoe.
The consumer nanny in me was a little bit surprised to see Litigation listed as Danika’s “Field of
Expertise.” I don’t know when the page was written, but “expertise” sounds a bit grandiose for
someone who joined the Bar 14 months ago today. “Field of Practice” seems more apt.
first snowfall–
“A B C D E F…”
she practices
ISSA, translated by David G. Lanoue
March 11, 2005
decloaking the nameless associates
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If the associates are interested in being decloaked, they could certainly submit their information to the legal jobs blog under the title of “available for hire”.
http://techlawadvisor.com/jobs
Comment by Kevin, Esq. — March 14, 2005 @ 10:15 am
If the associates are interested in being decloaked, they could certainly submit their information to the legal jobs blog under the title of “available for hire”.
http://techlawadvisor.com/jobs
Comment by Kevin, Esq. — March 14, 2005 @ 10:15 am
Kevin, thanks for providing a useful link. It seems to me, though, that there are plenty of good (if not better) reasons, in addition to being found by a headhunter, for wanting the associate bios and contact information to be provided online. Being listed as “available for hire” doesn’t serve those other purposes.
Comment by David Giacalone — March 14, 2005 @ 10:40 am
Kevin, thanks for providing a useful link. It seems to me, though, that there are plenty of good (if not better) reasons, in addition to being found by a headhunter, for wanting the associate bios and contact information to be provided online. Being listed as “available for hire” doesn’t serve those other purposes.
Comment by David Giacalone — March 14, 2005 @ 10:40 am
I’ve offered a second option for associates interested in decloaking:
http://techlawadvisor.com/2005/03/more-on-decloaking-associates.html
Comment by Kevin, Esq. — March 14, 2005 @ 12:31 pm
I’ve offered a second option for associates interested in decloaking:
http://techlawadvisor.com/2005/03/more-on-decloaking-associates.html
Comment by Kevin, Esq. — March 14, 2005 @ 12:31 pm