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.
So, you’ve just accepted the job offer of your dreams. What now? How best to make the transition from your current employment to your new venture? Our bottom line advice: DON’T BURN ANY BRIDGES! First of all, if you have an employment contract or partnership agreement, refresh your recollection regarding notice requirements (e.g., how long,…
Read article
Integration into a new work environment is as important to your success as choosing the right job. While some responsibility for integration falls to the hiring firm, a wise attorney will be proactive. The process begins during the search and negotiation phases and continues throughout your first several months, or more, on the job. Manage…
Read article
Much of the excitement of working for a high-tech start-up company lies in the possibility of hitting the jackpot when cashing in those stock options. For lawyers churning out billable hours, the attraction of that pay-off is proving irresistible. As a result, many law firms which represent emerging companies run the risk of losing their…
Read article
With the NASDAQ hitting new highs almost every day, and constant news stories of overnight IPO riches, the lure of big stock options has proven almost irresistible. Attorneys are leaving law firms for corporate law departments at unprecedented rates in hopes of snagging future big bucks. Until recently, law firm lawyers would jump at the…
Read article