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Just went solo lmao I'm going to die
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Date: April 21st, 2017 10:58 AM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw Two months in and I have $300 in gross revenue. I was not planning to have a contingency-based practice but those are the clients that are calling. It is scary as hell because I have no clue if these cases are worth $20K or zero, and whether they're going to pay out in a couple months or two years. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126151) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 10:58 AM Author: Vibrant Mustard Famous Landscape Painting Dingle Berry Ballsy
Good luck bro |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:00 AM Author: Ruby Address Where is TT when you need him?
Just keep cracking brother, you'll come out on top. |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:44 AM Author: Impressive Judgmental Mood You shouldn't be going solo if you can't evaluate your cases. Being able to bring in business, and knowing which cases to turn away, are by far the two most important skills for a solo. They are much more important than actually being a good lawyer. Get a mentor that you can run this shit by before you lose your ass. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126696) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:41 PM Author: Bateful Carnelian Meetinghouse THIS
"Being able to bring in business, and knowing which cases to turn away, are by far the two most important skills for a solo" |
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Date: November 28th, 2017 4:59 PM Author: irradiated jew (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34791798) |
Date: April 21st, 2017 10:59 AM Author: Multi-colored Pit Get friendly with the local ID mill. Get them to settle for pennies on the dollar. Easy work . |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:08 AM Author: pea-brained school cafeteria what kind of work?
What's your background? |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:14 AM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw I have a great resume on paper. Law Review, Clerkship, small "boutique" firm, then several years of BIGLAW. The clients I'm signing don't even ask, and they wouldn't recognize the firm if they did.
I actually feel that it would've been better to come from a non-biglaw background because the clients I worked with there have no use for a solo attorney. |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:21 PM Author: Light liquid oxygen I can see that. Your clients probably think the local law school >>> your T14 unless if it's HYS. Do you have the Davis Polk messenger bag in the corner against the wall?
Best of luck, brother. My ex worked in shitlaw for a few years, and her boss was loaded. A large part of his success was knowing which cases were landmines or goldmines. |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:28 PM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw No one has even asked where I went to school or what my experience is - I don't think it even occurs to them. They all just ask "do you take this kind of case?" If you say yes they assume you must know what you're doing. Anyway, I did go to the local LS. I could never have done this if I had spent the last few years paying back $100K+ in student loans.
TY - my first boss was loaded too, basically as a solo (<5 attorneys in firm). Very sadly he passed away. |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:57 PM Author: Light liquid oxygen Yea, just be careful with the vices brother. I used to meet up with a bunch of solos and my GF on Friday nights. Most were generally chill bros, but a few were alcoholic coke heads. They'd ball the fuck out of control when they got a giant paycheck only to be broke the following month begging for someone to toss them a case. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127344) |
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Date: April 24th, 2017 10:10 AM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw This is completely accurate. Some of these guys are absolute degens. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33148087) |
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Date: September 12th, 2017 11:32 PM Author: glittery trailer park hissy fit sounds 180 (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34197499) |
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Date: April 22nd, 2017 7:57 AM Author: Sickened Space Water Buffalo Clients probably think Law Review was musical theatre (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33132966) |
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Date: September 12th, 2017 11:32 PM Author: glittery trailer park hissy fit (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34197500) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:10 AM Author: gaped giraffe Stay the course brother. You need 9-12 months to get up and running (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126306) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:17 AM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw Yeah I think 12 months is a reasonable time to reassess. The one good thing about biglaw is that I saved enough money to go 24 months (or more) without making anything at all. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126395) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:46 AM Author: laughsome hunting ground then why are you bitching about 2 months then? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126702) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:47 AM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw just starting a conversation (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126715) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:48 AM Author: laughsome hunting ground not a pain i would necessarily spare you (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126719) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:42 PM Author: Bateful Carnelian Meetinghouse (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127199) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 4:19 PM Author: Bistre Personal Credit Line You need to get in contact with Calishitlawmo. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33128972) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:47 PM Author: gaped giraffe Sounds like you've planned well. Use other lawyers as your primary marketing tool- they can be 180 for referrals (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127259) |
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Date: November 28th, 2017 5:00 PM Author: irradiated jew (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34791805) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:16 AM Author: underhanded pearl tanning salon Props on having the balls to do this (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126389) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:19 AM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw ty. This was actually the #1 response from my co-workers. Biglawyers are a very risk averse group. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126425) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:22 AM Author: sexy stag film private investor Are you straight outta lawschool or work for another firm first? What kind of experience? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126477) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:30 AM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw Nah I've been out a decade. Appellate clerk, small firm, big firm. I don't think I would've had the confidence in myself until 8 years. Seeing classmates who were objectively dumber than me get named partners at local firm while I was on the biglaw 15-year partnership track was also a deciding factor. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126563) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:27 PM Author: sexy stag film private investor Shit, you ought to be able to make it work. Are you just doing general civil lit? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127053) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:33 PM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw Basically. Another solo is pushing me to take family law cases "to keep the lights on" but I don't think it's worth it to learn a whole new area of law (especially where I'd be stuck billing at like $175). I'd rather stick with what I know I'm good at.
I know you went solo a couple years ago. Did you continue working in the same practice areas as in biglaw, or did you switch? |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:37 PM Author: sexy stag film private investor Pretty much the same practice area for me. Non-patent IP and related business matters (transactional and lit).
There's not a ton of competition in my space among other solos, so that helps.
Best sources of business for me have been Avvo (advertising and answering questions) and referrals from other solos (getting active among other solos in bar associations, etc. can be a big deal). |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:46 PM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw How long until you turned a profit? I feel like Avvo has been mostly a waste of time. Some leads but it is a big time suck to answer questions. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127238) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 1:05 PM Author: sexy stag film private investor Definitely true that most people asking questions on Avvo are just looking for free legal advice. Nowadays I only answer questions when I've got significant downtime, but I've picked up a handful of good clients that way.
I'm as low overhead as they come, so I was turning a profit pretty much immediately (luckily the firm I left sent me a little bit of work my first couple months until they figured out who else they could give that work to). It was about 6 months before I had a month where I thought "Shit, if I can bring in this much money every month we won't starve/have to sell the house/etc." |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:24 AM Author: aromatic internet-worthy sneaky criminal all personal injury cases? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126500) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:35 AM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw No I don't know the first thing about personal injury. I think those would be better because the timeline is quicker - you can settle presuit etc. The insurance company knows they have to pay, it's just a question of how much. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126614) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:45 AM Author: aromatic internet-worthy sneaky criminal so what kinds of cases are you taking on (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126698) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:50 AM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw employment, breach of K, trade secret. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126736) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:50 AM Author: fuchsia talking twinkling uncleanness yuck (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126743) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:55 AM Author: aromatic internet-worthy sneaky criminal explain for a tranny. aren't these all better than PI? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126791) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:02 PM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw They are definitely less crowded markets, so it's easier to get clients. I also have way better credentials than the average local attorney in this space. But the defendants tend to fight them harder and the jurisprudence isn't as plaintiff-friendly. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126826) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:05 PM Author: Vigorous milky hell hominid ljl (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126860) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:26 PM Author: Impressive Judgmental Mood This is one of the most basic parts of small firm law: NEVER TAKE A COMMERCIAL LITIGATION CASE ON A CONTINGENCY BASIS. Employment law is OK assuming you have an understanding of the procedural hoops you have to jump through to file suit and win, but LJL at breach of contract and trade secrets. For one, you're going to get bogged down defending counterclaims for free. You're also inviting a conflict of interest with your client when non-monetary settlement terms are brokered (as they often are in these kinds of cases), and you have no way of getting paid under the deal your client wants to make. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127041) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:30 PM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw Guess I will learn that one the hard way. What do you do? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127083) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:38 PM Author: sexy stag film private investor I wouldn't say never, but definitely only take the real strong cases with good damages/attorney fee claims. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127163) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 4:17 PM Author: Impressive Judgmental Mood Yeah there are exceptions but OP clearly doesn't know enough to identify them. And chances are that if he gets one of those "real strong cases with good damages/attorney fee claims" he's going to have collectibility issues even if he wins it. Or if the defendant is well-funded, they will fight tooth and nail through appeals.
There are a lot of pitfalls to the commercial cases that a new solo would get. Usually the real winners in those kinds of cases are the attorneys because the hourly fees they collect (on both sides) are far in excess of what the clients end up benefiting in the end. Take that case on a contingency and you're taking on all that systemic risk. |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:43 PM Author: aromatic internet-worthy sneaky criminal very helpful, ty (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127200) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 3:00 PM Author: Lavender Ungodly Toilet Seat "This is one of the most basic parts of small firm law: NEVER TAKE A COMMERCIAL LITIGATION CASE ON A CONTINGENCY BASIS."
Maybe not "never."
I've had some construction (mechanic's) lien cases that were done on hybrid or contingency arrangements.
That can be a decent deal, particularly when the property securing the lien is worth more than the credit of the client. |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 3:26 PM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw This one went to default so now I have to try to collect. ljl (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33766184) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 1:03 PM Author: primrose racy base gay wizard Plaintiff's employment is a really hard way to make a living. Hell, it's 12 months just to get your right to sue letter for any sort of discrimination claim. Then you get to deal with very well funded defense attorneys. That is no fun. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127394) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:47 AM Author: pea-brained school cafeteria you know anyone who can help you with these?
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:46 AM Author: wine theater How much to retain you for the night (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126705) |
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Date: November 28th, 2017 5:52 PM Author: Bateful Carnelian Meetinghouse Wait. . .I don't think he said that he was gay. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34792371) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 11:49 AM Author: Soul-stirring black woman i'm coming with you, Jerry! (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126729) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:08 PM Author: snowy resort what about net (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126885) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:15 PM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw Startup costs were actually less than I expected. Laptop, $100 in office supplies, some software. My office isn't available until summer so that's when expenses really crank up. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33126937) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:31 PM Author: sexy stag film private investor You don't need an office (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127088) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:33 PM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw 3 kids out of school for the summer say I need an office. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127108) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:39 PM Author: sexy stag film private investor Maybe so. Working from my home office has worked surprisingly well for me, even with a couple kids, but it can be a pain sometimes. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127177) |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 11:28 PM Author: drab submissive dysfunction orchestra pit Wait, don't clients assume you are TTT if you don't have a fancy office? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33770120) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:48 PM Author: gaped giraffe And you need a Conf room for clients. Regus? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127265) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:53 PM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw No, it's a full time office. I just think it makes psychological sense for me to split my day up into clearly-work time and clearly-home time. Plus if I'm going to have an office I want a place where I can leave my files and computer. I don't want to be dragging that shit back and forth every day. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127310) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 12:54 PM Author: gay hateful menage circlehead Could locate in a wework space, lots of small businesses, etc. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127315) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 1:07 PM Author: sexy stag film private investor I tried that for a bit. Didn't like it. Regus is kind of a ripoff, but I use a similar type of space. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127422) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 1:13 PM Author: gay hateful menage circlehead What don't you like about WeWork? Have been considering going there myself if I ever go solo.. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127476) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 1:36 PM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw I'd be worried about confidentiality issues. Down here these spaces are all "open" offices with like 5' foot partitions that you can easily see over and lots of common areas. They also give off a millenial startup vibe with bright colors and goofy shit on the walls. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33127700) |
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Date: April 21st, 2017 2:52 PM Author: sexy stag film private investor It wasn't WeWork specifically, but a co-working space. Basically anything I did there I could have done from home without any commute, and it was actually a little easier to take/schedule phone calls from home, despite having wife/kids in the the house. I spoke with a few people co-working there absout this and that, but never ended up getting any actual clients from it. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33128327) |
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Date: July 10th, 2017 3:37 PM Author: marvelous avocado messiness (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33743173) |
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Date: July 10th, 2017 3:37 PM Author: heady burgundy pozpig OP is dead. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33743176) |
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Date: July 10th, 2017 3:48 PM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw should I have stayed and gunned for of counsel? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33743290) |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 11:59 AM Author: blue wrinkle spot Nah. I made 35K agi my first year. In year 4 I made 220K in pretty low COL city. Mostly dui and traffic tickets. some PI and workman's comp. Helps having a spouse making good money too. But I play golf once or twice a week now and have staff handle intake and keep current clients happy. Stick with it bro. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33764676) |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 3:03 PM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw ty sounds 180. I keep telling myself it is a long term decision. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33766005) |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 12:00 PM Author: Opaque contagious kitty cat party of the first part Good luck brother! (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33764683) |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 12:01 PM Author: deranged angry half-breed Awesome, good luck bro. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33764686) |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 3:10 PM Author: aromatic internet-worthy sneaky criminal what's your legal background-- gen lit? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33766050) |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 3:17 PM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw yeah, although I do have a solo-friendly specialty. It's not like I was in antitrust (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33766102) |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 3:18 PM Author: aromatic internet-worthy sneaky criminal gl bro. living the dream. I yugely regret going for corporate out of LS because i'm now tied to GC at the hip (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33766116) |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 3:18 PM Author: Harsh hall striped hyena So.. How has it gone (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33766107) |
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Date: July 13th, 2017 11:05 PM Author: gaped giraffe I want to jump off your cliff but (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#33769992) |
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Date: September 12th, 2017 11:25 PM Author: galvanic purple national update? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34197472) |
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Date: September 12th, 2017 11:31 PM Author: Ruby Address He's poasting a lot. He needs to get out golfing or run for shitoffice. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34197493) |
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Date: November 26th, 2017 8:25 PM Author: galvanic purple national (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34777433) |
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Date: November 28th, 2017 9:28 AM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw took off Thanksgiving week for first time in my working life, left office at 10 am on Wednesday and didn't do a lick of work until Monday morning. didn't even respond to emails until Monday. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34788270) |
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Date: November 28th, 2017 2:21 PM Author: Rusted vivacious dopamine factory reset button are you making money yet? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34790407) |
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Date: November 28th, 2017 4:53 PM Author: Titillating theater stage bbw not quite but check again at the 1 year mark things are looking up friend! (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3591099&forum_id=2#34791730) |
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