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.
Billing by the hour remains central to private law practice despite its adverse impact on client service and lawyers’ quality of life. More than two decades ago, a 2002 ABA Commission on Billable Hours study discussed the negative effects of hourly billing and urged alternative billing arrangements. Most lawyers in practice today consider hourly billing…
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The recession put extreme pressure on the legal marketplace, not only decreasing employment opportunities with traditional law firms but also giving rise to new career options for lawyers. Attorneys seeking employment in the new economy must think outside the box to maximize their career opportunities. New ways of delivering legal services spawned alternative provider organizations,…
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Law firm lawyer recruitment is a year-round effort and encompasses lateral hiring at the associate and partner level as well as student recruitment for summer program and entry-level classes. Different goals take priority at various times of the year, so knowledge of what goes on inside law firms can help lateral candidates either time their…
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The ability to converse comfortably anywhere, anytime is essential for business and social success. Small talk is an important skill when networking for jobs or business development, breaking the ice in interviews, and connecting with others before meetings. It puts people at ease while creating a smooth transition from initial greeting to business discussion. When…
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