re: Got a ding letter from Gordon

Please keep me in mind

I typed a DM on Twitter to you several months ago asking the same thing, but I couldn’t bring myself to send it.

Aren’t there some restrictions or requirements for firms hiring formerly barred lawyers into non lawyer /paralegal type positions? Doesn’t the Bar monitor the actions very closely or require the employer to report periodically so the former lawyers aren’t de facto practicing law despite having no license? Doesn’t sound like that’s what you’re trying to do, but I think the Bar is concerned about that.

Anyway, You should try the E guarantee. He should be all in favor of a good rehabilitation comeback. Best of luck to you.

RPC 5.5(e)(1)

Clean, the board is pulling for you!

You’re not opposed to the commute from Da Berry to EBRP?

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I am a lawyer.

I’m underachieving

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That should actually read "I'm still punishing myself for something that happened over 20 years ago".

Regarding the investigator/paralegal/sidekick kinda job approach, for get them. Every time I open applications for a paralegal job I get at least one attorney apply. I always just gloss over them. They are either trying to rehab their career like you or they are licensed in a different jurisdiction. Whether true or not I see them as someone who is just using it as a stepping stone. I don't want to waste time training someone for them just to move on within a year or two.

Quit feeling sorry for yourself, quit punishing yourself, and take and pass the bar. Maybe when you get ethically cleared to take the bar that will alleviate some of your guilt. It ain't rocket science you did it once and you can do it again. Keep in mind that when you do get that piece of paper with all the justice's signatures it is only the start. You may have to hang out your own shingle and do scrivner work like basic wills and $500 divorces along with some criminal defense and low level PI stuff others won't take. Even if you don't get rich you will fix a hole in your pride and maybe you will quit punishing yourself.

If I have read you wrong I apologize and you can ignore this.

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You may have to hang out your own shingle and do scrivner work like basic wills and $500 divorces along with some criminal defense and low level PI stuff others won't take. Even if you don't get rich you will fix a hole in your pride and maybe you will quit punishing yourself.

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This. I started my own practice with practically zero time as a practicing lawyer and have succeeded. If I can do it, so can you since you already have some experience

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RPC 5.5(e)(1)

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5.5(e)(1)(i) to me reads as though a firm cannot hire a disbarred attorney at all. But section ii requires the submission of the detailed form for suspended or disability status lawyers.

Clean, not sure whether you were disbarred or simply let the license lapse. But G may have felt they ethically couldn’t hire you. If getting back 8n is what you want, apply to take the Bar Exam. They’ve let people with far greater offenses sit for the exam and join the bar. A paroled murderer comes to mind, so non violent drug offenses shouldn’t DQ you. The law and concepts aren’t that much different than your first time passing. You can do it if you set your mind to it.

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Even if you don't get rich you will fix a hole in your pride and maybe you will quit punishing yourself.

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I’m not looking to get rich. I’m trying to survive.

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I’ve never been suspended or disbarred. I voluntarily declared myself inactive.

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That’s good and should help if trying to get a job with a firm as there doesn’t appear to be any ethical decisions for firms to be concerned with. .

Just went back to upvote your posts Clean, then realized I couldn't bc I already did - 4 years ago.

Props to you again for sharing your story and posting things like this, especially considering the site.

People like you who have been sober for years inspire me, even if it's just through a message board.

I'm "Cali sober" now for a few years. Got on fetty real bad again when I first moved out here to Cali. Started making trips to Mexico, got arrested again with 2 Oz powder, 2 Oz fetty and 4 oz crystal (i say again bc 1 in Louisiana - expunged, 1 in Cali - court coming up again). Anyways, I said that stuff just to say that I really appreciate everything you've shared through the years I've been on here. You may not know when you're posting it or it may not be your intention, but many of your posts have hit me hard bc I can relate. It also gives me hope and I thank you for that.

Also, just as an aside. This may sound fricked up, but I was blessed to be arrested in Cali. Obviously, I wish I would have never went down the path that led me to being arrested. That said, with what I got arrested with, had I been in Louisiana, I'd probably be facing 15+ years at a minimum. Here, I'm now facing misdemeanor possession charges. It also helps my attorney is a pitbull in the courtroom. That lil lady doesn't play games.