Valerie A. Fontaine earned her JD from UC Law San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) and her BA, Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude, from UCLA. She was on the Editorial Board of COMM/ENT, a Journal of Communications and Entertainment Law. Valerie practiced law with a prominent Los Angeles law firm and entered the legal search profession in 1981. Valerie is past Secretary to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Legal Search Consultants (NALSC) and former Chair of its Newsletter Committee. She currently serves as a consultant to NALSC headquarters.
When you return to work after leaving law practice for any length of time, you need to prepare for a successful transition. You can jump right back in, like cannon-balling into a swimming pool full of icy water. But you might be wiser to dip your toe in first—and ease into it—getting used to the…
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Once you decide to return to law practice after a taking a break, such as to raise children, write the Great American Novel, or pursue other personal or professional interests, you need to determine the type of position you seek, assess your transferable skills and brush up if necessary, and let the world know you’re…
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You may, at some point, decide to take a break from law practice for any number of reasons such as to raise children, care for sick family members, pursue more education, try another business, teach, write, run for office, or travel the world. When you leave, you may hope you never return. But life happens…
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Candidates often struggle with the dreaded question: “How much did you make in your last job?” There never seems to be a right answer. If you respond honestly, you might price yourself out of an opportunity you really want despite the lower salary or, on the opposite end of the scale, receive an offer less…
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