looking for DC legal temp work agencies
December 4, 2006 3:02 PM   Subscribe

Any suggestions for a DC agency for temporary legal work?

I'm 1.5 years out of law school, passed the MD bar, looking to get back to DC. Doing temp work sounds, to my uninformed mind, like a way to get down there, get paid some money, meet some people, perform some tasks, etc. Suggestions on companies (this post recommended Trak Legal), the plusses or minuses, war stories, etc., are all welcome.
posted by ibmcginty to Work & Money (6 answers total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
 
Had a good experience with Pat Taylor & Associates, a smaller temp firm. The people there were very nice, professional, didn't give me any hassle even when I turned in a timesheet not entirely on time.
posted by hazelshade at 3:38 PM on December 4, 2006


We used to use Pat Taylor folks all the time. They were pretty nice and good people.

I think it's all going to depend on what Firm and case you get assigned to. If it's a shit case for a shit team, it's not going to be fun even if the HQ management is decent.
posted by Pollomacho at 6:05 PM on December 4, 2006


Best answer: I've been temping in DC as an attorney for two years now. Here are the besics - PM me if you have any other questions.

Many firms and agencies now require you to be a member of the DC bar or have a pending application. I recommend starting the process as soon as you can.

Here are a list of some agencies that I've heard good things about (I've only actually worked for the first - they've kept me busy for two years with only a few weeks total between projects. Register with several agencies but try to work with just a few):

Special Counsel
Update Legal
HIRE Counsel
Law Resources
Legal Assests
Kelly Law Registry
posted by Hermes32 at 9:17 AM on December 5, 2006


There are a couple of Yahoo groups set up ~ search for "DC Metro Contract Attorneys."

You can make a lot of money doing this, but it's super low on the prestige factor. You won't be doing substantive work, generally, you'll be doing document review.

Send me an email if you want more detailed info~
posted by KAS at 2:08 PM on December 5, 2006


Best answer: Ditto to Hermes32's recommendation of Special Counsel. They're pretty good: cookies, pre-tax metrocards, and they bring you your paycheck/paycheck stub. Also, online timesheets.

I've also worked with Staffwise (Ajilon owns them, but they act as separate companies), and while they have kept me busy, I've been less than thrilled by them.

I haven't yet had a chance to work with them, but I heard good things about Lexolution, and based on my contact with them so far, they look to be good.

The plusses are good money and lots of overtime. The minuses are that it sucks, it will completely change your attitude towards email, and there's lots of overtime. Also, what KAS said. There are times you'll hear second-year associates are who plainly idiots complain that they have to sit with you instead of "the real attorneys." Many of your co-workers will make you weep for the profession.

You should definitely consider applying for DC waiver; admission-pending status helps a fair amount, from what I've heard.

Generally, you should expect projects to pay about $35/hour and time-and-a-half for overtime. Also, every place will lie to you. They'll tell you the project will last 2 more weeks and then they'll send everybody home the same day. A zen attitude and a decent work-ethic will keep you plenty busy.

Oh, one last thing - if you decide to apply to any of these places, you might consider getting the names of some folks who have given you pointers via email or something and putting them down as referrals when you apply to an agency - they usually give $50 or so for bringing somebody on board.

Best of luck.
posted by averyoldworld at 3:52 PM on December 5, 2006


Response by poster: Thanks to all for your suggestions.

Ah, I know it's a little late in the thread, but I am now actually in DC and submitting resumes to these places. Anyone who wants to email me their contact info-- especially Pollomacho and hazelshade-- I will list as referers in relevant applications.
posted by ibmcginty at 10:10 AM on December 21, 2006


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