I'm a 3 strikes qualified public defender in Washington working in Seattle.
I get paid a good amount (150k, benefits package better than anything but high level tech company).
Like you a newly divorced dad. I've got primary custody (girls stay at my house every night mom has them 2.5 evenings a week most of the day on Saturday) mom owes me child support (but not much still hasn't finished grad school).
Im responsible for the health insurance. One of my kiddos has special needs.
I've contemplated going private, don't have the savings. The interesting thing in Seattle is that because public defense is so robust, and because if you are in custody at time of filing you automatically get appointed a public defender on all felonies without a financial screening, there isn't a lot of room to get high level cases as a private attorney unless it's sex cases. Other than that you are stuck slinging duis.
I talked to biggest dui firm in town and with the kiddos needing insurance, and my amazing pension plan currently, I'd likely take a pay cut unless I wanted to work just as much as I do now.
That's kinda the thing though, it's at least 60 hours a week doing this work. But I get to practice criminal defense at an extremely high level. I'm an expert in complex mental health litigation in homicides. And there is that public service aspect too.
Will keep it a bit vague, and only share things already in public record. Hit me up on twitter dms (you can probably tell who I am) to talk shop.
I'll get assigned at least 80 cases this year almost all of them what Washington calls "class a" (highest level) armed rob, rape/child rape, shootings, stabbings, and homicides.
I resolved within a month of getting transferred this four year old ngri murder by realizing policies hadn't given either state or defense important dx. It's sad, I was looking forward to spending 100+ hours on briefing whether Washington's deific decree aspect of ngri law was an independent common law doctrine or only an early out growth of the late developed irresistible impulse doctrine especially with the first amendment religious implications in a liberal state. Sadly, the case will now resolved agreed ngri without that.
There are times that the bowtied advice of "work second job and make internet money" isn't correct.
I do a valuable public service and keep my kids well fed and with insurance and have a great pension that is well funded and my time out of work will be spent being a dad and volunteering at church (oldest wants to be a cook/baker and we are cooking for all the parish youth group families (100+ people) for sunday night mission this weekend.
When you are honest with your self and your work ethic you are on the right track. Finding what drives business in your area will take some time. I have confidence in you.
I'm a 3 strikes qualified public defender in Washington working in Seattle.
I get paid a good amount (150k, benefits package better than anything but high level tech company).
Like you a newly divorced dad. I've got primary custody (girls stay at my house every night mom has them 2.5 evenings a week most of the day on Saturday) mom owes me child support (but not much still hasn't finished grad school).
Im responsible for the health insurance. One of my kiddos has special needs.
I've contemplated going private, don't have the savings. The interesting thing in Seattle is that because public defense is so robust, and because if you are in custody at time of filing you automatically get appointed a public defender on all felonies without a financial screening, there isn't a lot of room to get high level cases as a private attorney unless it's sex cases. Other than that you are stuck slinging duis.
I talked to biggest dui firm in town and with the kiddos needing insurance, and my amazing pension plan currently, I'd likely take a pay cut unless I wanted to work just as much as I do now.
That's kinda the thing though, it's at least 60 hours a week doing this work. But I get to practice criminal defense at an extremely high level. I'm an expert in complex mental health litigation in homicides. And there is that public service aspect too.
Working on anything interesting that you can hint at?
Will keep it a bit vague, and only share things already in public record. Hit me up on twitter dms (you can probably tell who I am) to talk shop.
I'll get assigned at least 80 cases this year almost all of them what Washington calls "class a" (highest level) armed rob, rape/child rape, shootings, stabbings, and homicides.
I resolved within a month of getting transferred this four year old ngri murder by realizing policies hadn't given either state or defense important dx. It's sad, I was looking forward to spending 100+ hours on briefing whether Washington's deific decree aspect of ngri law was an independent common law doctrine or only an early out growth of the late developed irresistible impulse doctrine especially with the first amendment religious implications in a liberal state. Sadly, the case will now resolved agreed ngri without that.
Sounds like that’s the play for where you live. Public defender jobs do not pay close to that here.
There are times that the bowtied advice of "work second job and make internet money" isn't correct.
I do a valuable public service and keep my kids well fed and with insurance and have a great pension that is well funded and my time out of work will be spent being a dad and volunteering at church (oldest wants to be a cook/baker and we are cooking for all the parish youth group families (100+ people) for sunday night mission this weekend.
Yeah I am a w-2 wage slave but fuck it
No solo entrepreneur tries cases like you, it's give and take. If you are happy, that's what matters.
When you are honest with your self and your work ethic you are on the right track. Finding what drives business in your area will take some time. I have confidence in you.
Thank you. Much work needed.