To most people, I imagine, most lawyers are the same. Suit monsters out to represent dishonest corporations or guilty criminals.
But between lawyers, there’s a strict hierarchy. People who have their own practice like I did have been referred to derogatorily as ‘Common Pleas Lawyers,’ intimating that appeals or federal court may be too complicated for the likes of us.
One attorney once said that he wouldn’t want some divorce lawyer handling the complicated matters that he did.
So, you’re wondering who comes out on top?
IP lawyers. For some reason other attorneys seem to believe those who work on trademarks, copyrights, and patents, garner the most praise. They’re heralded as the most brilliant, versatile, and are often the most sought after — even in the post dot com boom era when there’s not a whole lot of IP work to go around.
Who’s on the bottom?
You know this without even asking. Plaintiff’s attorneys — you know — the one’s on TV who get settlements for you; divorce attorneys, criminal defense lawyers. No one is standing in line to get these jobs. This is usually the end of the line when those IP jobs don’t pan out.
Of course there’s a loose middle — government attorneys, corporate lawyers, small firm folks — like the middle class the bulk of my compatriots end up here.
And large firms with long names are better than smaller firms with longer names, unless it’s a ’boutique’ firm — read small firm, big money.
When lawyer meet, and shake hands, they immediately size each other up on these terms. Hmmm . . . you’re at an IP boutique . . . . hmmm, your at the D.A.’s office . . . . hmmm . . . you’re a solo practitioner . . . wait, that’s a double hmmm.
And where do some of the most well-known attorneys fall? Politicians . . . and we won’t even go there.
