# I haz new job

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [April 1, 2016, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866 "2016-04-01T20:45:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\
**Post date:** [April 3, 2016, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866/21 "2016-04-03T21:07:17Z")

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Thanks, everyone!

> [@ElvisL1ves](#):
>
> You’re finally going to be working For The People? 😉

Oh, god, no. I’d shoot myself first, although John is a fun guy to party with. They actually fire the least productive lawyer in each department at the end of each quarter, even if that lawyer’s numbers were much higher than an average quarter. This firm is actually bigger.

Plus I’m much happier dealing with institutional clients, even if helping out the little guy might be more fulfilling at times. To be honest, the deck is totally stacked against injured workers in Florida right now and I’m not sure I could deal with explaining that the legislature has already screwed every client the moment they walk in.

> [@ivylass](#):
>
> Are you still in Central FL?

Yup. New job is in Maitland rather than Orlando proper.

> [@Bone](#):
>
> Congrats! Can I get some pro bono work? 🙂

Sure thing!

> [@harmonicamoon](#):
>
> It is always difficult to leave familiar surroundings. But it appears you are ready to be weaned.

It was time for baby bird to leave the nest. 🙂

> [@Siam\_Sam](#):
>
> Congratulations. How did your boss take it?

He was actually pretty odd about the whole thing. Didn’t seem surprised at all (and his secretary told me the next day she had actually been expecting me to leave). I figured he’d make at least a token attempt to keep me; I basically kept the department running for three years when the bottom dropped out of the market in 2009. I was already making more than he really wanted to pay anyone, though.

We’ve never really been friends, even though we’ve worked together for so long. I generally get along very well with everyone and I can’t think of anyone who I’ve been around for more than a year who I didn’t eventually develop a real friendship with. We’ve always had a good professional relationship, though.

If he has a flaw as a boss, it’s that he seems to hold grudges against people who leave. He was always telling me about people who took jobs with other firms and were begging him to take them back after a year (though he’s never had a problem leaving firms for better jobs during his own career). Still, he was very civil and didn’t snark about the new firm or anything (which is something I’ve seen him do in the past).

> [@LSLGuy](#):
>
> Will you be in the same general location with similar commute, etc.?

I’ll be in essentially the same town, but in what you might call a “business suburb.” Most firms like to be located close to downtown, where the courthouses are, and others (like the new one) like to be where their clients are - most of the insurance offices here are in a relatively small area very close to where the new firm’s office is, well outside downtown.

I live a fairly long way from both so my commute will go from 35 minutes to about 45. The new office is actually closer to my house but there’s no expressway that goes there so it takes longer.

> [@RetroVertigo](#):
>
> Congrats!
> 
> Hopefully, they will understand the need for you to take a leave during draft week.

I’ll probably just end up drafting from the office. :D:D

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**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\
**Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866/22 "2016-04-08T16:22:19Z")

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So, um, what’s a good gift to get somebody you worked with for nine years?

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**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\
**Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866/23 "2016-04-08T16:51:13Z")

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Female…a spa day

Male…a single malt or Patron.

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**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\
**Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866/24 "2016-04-08T17:03:53Z")

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They should be getting you something, not the other way around.

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**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\
**Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866/25 "2016-04-08T17:04:34Z")

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Congrats! Here’s hoping you haven’t just written the first chapter of a John Grisham novel.

Regards,  
Shodan

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**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2016, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866/26 "2016-06-06T02:32:47Z")

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In case anyone was wondering, I’m not dead. Just very, very busy. Have my first solo trial tomorrow!

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**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2016, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866/27 "2016-06-06T02:37:28Z")

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Congratulations on not being dead!

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**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2016, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866/28 "2016-06-06T02:37:31Z")

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Here’s hoping they find you Not Guilty.

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**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2016, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866/29 "2016-06-06T04:06:56Z")

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Glad to hear from you. I was starting to get worried: a month without a post from **RNATB**?

Then I remembered “new job” and thought you were likely pulling some long hours at the start.

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**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2016, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866/30 "2016-06-06T06:11:38Z")

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> [@Shodan](#):
>
> Congrats! Here’s hoping you haven’t just written the first chapter of a John Grisham novel.
> 
> Regards,  
> Shodan

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one thinking this.

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**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2016, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866/31 "2016-06-06T06:28:16Z")

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> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#):
>
> They actually fire the least productive lawyer in each department at the end of each quarter, even if that lawyer’s numbers were much higher than an average quarter.

HUH?  
Getting fired for doing better-than-average work?  
Is this a normal procedure in your profession?

I ain’t no lawyer, and I ain’t never had a job where you have to wear a suit…  
But I do have an engineering degree, and I can’t imagine working in a place where everybody lives in fear for their life every 12 weeks; and where cooperating with or helping your co-workers might boost their numbers and thus get you fired.  
How do people live that way?

But, on a happier note and back to the OP—CONGRATULATIONS Mr **Rnatb** , attorney-at-law!!!

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**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2016, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866/32 "2016-06-06T11:34:27Z")

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Good Luck on the trial. Thanks for checking in, I was wondering about you just a couple days ago.

Glad you’re not dead.

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**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2016, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866/33 "2016-06-06T15:37:16Z")

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> [@Siam\_Sam](#):
>
> Here’s hoping they find you Not Guilty.

_golf clap_

What do you say to a Doper in a three piece suit? Will the defendant please rise and face the jury.  
Regards,  
Shodan

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**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2016, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866/34 "2016-06-06T18:30:59Z")

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> [@chappachula](#):
>
> I ain’t no lawyer, and I ain’t never had a job where you have to wear a suit…  
> But I do have an engineering degree, and I can’t imagine working in a place where everybody lives in fear for their life every 12 weeks; and where cooperating with or helping your co-workers might boost their numbers and thus get you fired.  
> How do people live that way?

[High Rate of Problem Drinking Reported Among Lawyers](http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/05/business/dealbook/high-rate-of-problem-drinking-reported-among-lawyers.html)

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**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2016, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866/35 "2016-06-06T18:32:52Z")

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> [@chappachula](#):
>
> I ain’t no lawyer, and I ain’t never had a job where you have to wear a suit…  
> But I do have an engineering degree, and I can’t imagine working in a place where everybody lives in fear for their life every 12 weeks; and where cooperating with or helping your co-workers might boost their numbers and thus get you fired.  
> How do people live that way?

It is not enough that I succeed - others must fail.

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**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866/36 "2016-06-22T17:21:52Z")

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> [@chappachula](#):
>
> Getting fired for doing better-than-average work?  
> Is this a normal procedure in your profession?

Nope.

> [@](#):
>
> I ain’t no lawyer, and I ain’t never had a job where you have to wear a suit…  
> But I do have an engineering degree, and I can’t imagine working in a place where everybody lives in fear for their life every 12 weeks; and where cooperating with or helping your co-workers might boost their numbers and thus get you fired.  
> How do people live that way?

Hell if I know. I wouldn’t work there if they offered to double my salary.

> [@](#):
>
> But, on a happier note and back to the OP—CONGRATULATIONS Mr **Rnatb** , attorney-at-law!!!

Thanks! 🙂

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**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866/37 "2016-06-22T18:01:30Z")

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So, how did the first trial go? Was it the past two weeks?

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**Author:** ![The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5ac83/32.png) [@The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mad_Hermit)\
**Post date:** [June 23, 2016, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866/38 "2016-06-23T04:44:38Z")

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Congratulations! Still hope to see you in the keeper league.

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**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2016, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866/39 "2016-07-07T14:32:35Z")

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I will be there!

> [@Northern\_Piper](#):
>
> So, how did the first trial go? Was it the past two weeks?

Workers’ compensation trials are generally a one-day affair. There are only two parties, and most testimony is by deposition. In fact, the judges (well, administrative hearing officers, but their official titles include the word judge) invariably indicate that the trial will be limited to two hours in their scheduling orders, though that very rarely happens. The law also imposes sanctions of a sort on parties that don’t work to narrow down the issues to be tried.

This one was probably longer than most at four hours. Three live witnesses, two doctors testifying by deposition, and very little in the way of paper exhibits. My trial binder contained 400 pages at most, and half of that was the depo transcripts.

It went pretty well. Judge’s order came in yesterday. Won on one and a half out of two issues: one claim was denied, the other was denied in part. I basically only had procedural arguments and I knew we were doomed if the judge reached the merits; he sort of glossed over the procedural arguments on the part we lost, and the client has already okayed an appeal.

Another victory for evil faceless corporations! 🆒

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**Author:** ![Gladys\_Overnow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Gladys\_Overnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gladys_Overnow)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2016, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-haz-new-job/750866/40 "2016-07-09T13:01:12Z")

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Nice lawyering!

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