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Top 50 Legal Career Blogs

Miranda — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:52:58 +0000

There are quite a few careers associated with our system of law. A number of legal careers are available across the system. And you don’t need to be a lawyer in order to reap the benefits of a rewarding career in the legal professions. You can be a paralegal, court reporter or even involved in law enforcement and still contribute to the legal profession. If you are interested in the law, here are 50 legal career blogs that can help you find your way:

Lawyer

When most people think of legal careers, they think of lawyers. And, while there is much more to having a legal career than being a lawyer, it is clear that this is one of the most high profile law professions. Here are some lawyer blogs that can help you learn about developing a career as a lawyer:

Legal Careers: About.com has a great blog devoted to what’s going on the world of law, including for lawyers.
Lawyerist: See quick snippets of what’s going on in the world of legal careers, especially for aspiring lawyers.
Jobless Lawyer: This lawyer used his own situation to create a blog to help other lawyers search for careers.
Ms. JD: This is a collection of helpful career information aimed at women who want to be lawyers.
Law21: Analyzes trends and looks for indications of what’s really happening with legal careers, especially for lawyers.
The Shark: Covering law schools and looking at the career path followed by a lawyer from the trenches.
Law Career Blog: This blog is no longer being updated regularly, but there is a good collection of archived posts that are helpful for lawyers.
Legal Profession Blog: Helpful information on pursuing a career in a legal profession.

Paralegal

You don’t have to be a lawyer to be involved with a legal career. A paralegal does many of the same things a lawyer does, but without the JD. A paralegal is also sometimes called legal assistants, and they gather facts, interview witnesses, collect documents and do a number of legal jobs.

New York Paralegal Blog: Get the latest news and information on being a paralegal, and get good tips on making the most of your career.
Practical Paralegalism: Get an inside look at what is going on in the trenches of a paralegal career.
ParalegalGatway’s Weblog: Insightful advice and information on being a paralegal.
The Estrin Report: A place for professional paralegals to go to find support, information and career trends.
USLegal Paralegals: Information on developing your career as a paralegal.
Paralegal Programs Blog: Covers interesting news and trends related to the paralegal career.
A Paralegal’s Blog: This offering from BlogHer provides insight into how you can improve your career.

Practice Specific

There are a number of legal blogs devoted to different aspects of the law. Here are some of the best blogs related to specific areas of practice.

TheCorporateCounsel.net Blog: Get an inside look at what’s happening in the world of corporate law, and what it takes to do a good job.
Copyrights & Campaigns: A law-based look at copyright law and political campaigns.
Election Law: Learn about the laws that govern elections.
Drug and Device Law: Find out about what’s it’s like to be involved in drug law, and the processes that devices and drugs go through before being approved.
HealthBlawg: Learn about the ins and outs of being a health care legal consultant.
Counterfeit Chic: An interesting blog that combines designer fashion with law.
IPWatchdog.com Blog: Learn about patent law, and keep up to date on the latest goings-on at the U.S. patent office.
Green Building Law Blog: Learn about the issues surrounding green building.
Citizen Media Law Project: Keep tabs on media law and learn about being a better legal professional.
The Pop Tort: This is all about civil law — and has an unabashed pro-plaintiff slant.
Taxgirl: Learn about tax law and get savvy, interesting insight.

Judge

Being a judge is a legal career, too. Here are some great blogs that allow you insight into what it’s like to be a judge.

SCOTUSblog: The ultimate judge blog: This is a blog that follows the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Becker-Posner Blog: These two guys have been judges, and now they’re law professors. Interesting insight about legal issues.
Say What?!: This is a humorous blog offers insight from the late judge Jerry Buchmeyer.

Court Reporter

You can help courts document testimony and proceedings as a court reporter. This is a legal career that is in high demand, and requires a high level of skill. There are even court videographers now.

Kramm Court Reporting Blog: Learn helpful tips and information about court reporting.
CSRnation: A helpful site and blog aimed at helping court reporters and others in legal careers similar to that.
Court Reporters Court Reporting Nationwide: Tools, tips and more related to court reporting.
Association of Video Professionals Blog: While not aimed specifically at court reporting, this is a useful blog with information about being a better videographer, which can be helpful for those who are interested in being court videographers.
New York Court Reporters Blog: Includes information on court reporting jobs and tips for professional development.
Sassy Mama Says…: Follow the exploits of this court reporter who has done a number of jobs related to the legal profession.

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement

Get an insight into criminal justice and law enforcement with these blogs, and learn how to make it in a criminal justice legal career.

Crime & Consequences: A look at the basics of crime — and its legal consequences.
Defending People: An interesting look about what it’s like being a criminal defense lawyer.
TalkLeft: The Politics of Crime: A look at crime, and how it is sometimes related to politics.
Sentencing Law and Policy: Learn about how sentencing works, and different aspects of related policy.
The Policeman’s Blog: Learn about what it’s like to be a cop — from the source.
Cop in the Hood: An interesting take on being a cop from a sociologist who became a policeman in a rough Baltimore neighborhood.
Forensic News Blog: Get the latest in what going on in forensic science.
Psychology and Crime News: Forensic psychology and information on performing better as a forensic scientist.

Legal Theory

Keep up on the latest ideas of law. Understanding legal theory and trends is paramount to advancing your legal career.

IdeoBlog: Ideas about law, specifically business law.
A Failure of Capitalism: An interesting look at economics and law.
Empirical Legal Studies: This blog is devoted to looking at the numbers and facts behind legal theory.
Concurring Opinions: Follows different ideas of law, and how it impacts society.
Legal Ethics Forum: Attacks issues related to ethics and law.
Mirror of Justice: This takes a religious look at legal theory, from a Catholic point of view.
Volokh Conspiracy: Viewpoints from a number of legal wonks and experts about what is happening in law today.

Top 50 Career Management Bloggers

Miranda — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 03:32:21 +0000

It’s always a good idea to consider your career. Whether you plan to find a new job, or whether you plan to advance from your current position, you need to know how to handle yourself, and how to be the best you can be. Career management is all about developing skills, defining your leadership style and understanding the system. Here are 50 career management blogs that can help you figure out where you are going — and how you can get there in style:

Life at Work

You need to figure out how to be happier at work. Or at least appear to be happier at work. Even if you are looking for a new job, you still want to make things smooth at your current workplace. After all, you don’t want to burn any bridges.

All Things Workplace provides insight into everyday workings and relationships. This blog is written by Steve Roesler, the CEO Roesler Consulting Group.
8 hours & a lunch is written by Deb Owen. She provides helpful insight into building relationships with those you work with. She also has great tips for coping with hard times.
Bob Sutton, a Stanford professor, writes on his blog about dealing with the people you can’t stand at work. A great blog for getting through the workday.
Gruntled Employees is a great blog for people who are managers or who deal with others. Jay Shepherd, a lawyer, offers great advice on the law end of dealing with others in the workplace.
Work Happy Now deals with trying to find your best self in the workplace. Includes helpful hints on stress relief and ways to enjoy yourself more at work.
Chief Happiness Officer provides insightful information on loving your job and being happier. Alexander Kjerulf is a consultant who coaches people in the power of positivity.
Fortify Your Oasis is a blog at which consultant Rowan Manahan provides helpful insight and encouragement for dealing with the workplace.

Career Development

You need to be able to figure out how to best manage your career and develop it in a way that will help you reach your career goals. These blogs can help you with career and personal development in a way that can benefit you for years to come.

Penelope Trunk’s Brazen Careerist addresses issues in the workplace and provides helpful advice that can get you ahead.
Punk Rock Human Resources provides an HR perspective that can help you improve your career. Career development with an attitude.
Four Hour Work Week is written by pioneering “lifestyle designer” Tim Ferriss. Figure out how to live the life you want, and do the work you want.
JibberJobber Blog offers advice and information on numerous aspects of job and career management.
JobMob is a great blog for helping you learn career management skills, interact with others and even look for a job.
The Career Encouragement Blog helps you focus on creating a career that is satisfying and successful.
Career Hub offers free advice from a number of career experts — including advice on managing your identity online.
Seth Godin’s Blog provides interesting insight on personal development, career development and marketing.

Job Skills

You gots ta have the skillz if you want a good job and a good career. Here are some blogs that can help you polish a number of your skills in order to become a better “catch” at your current workplace — or the desired candidate for a new job.

The Human Capitalist offers insight into what makes a person “valuable”, and includes information on technology and its uses.
Pongo Resume Blog looks at how you can improve your resume, and offers tips on interviewing.
The Career Key Blog provides pointers and other information on developing job skills.
21st Century Job Market looks at a number of skills that are essential in today’s job market.
The ICT Job Hunter Blog is written by Todd Bravol and provides insight into personal branding and skills development.
Seattle Interview Coach, Lewis Lin, can help you develop the interview skills that can help you land a new job — or get a promotion in your current job.
CAREEREALISM focuses on developing skills, online and in the workplace, that can make you a better employee and even leader on the job.
Ask a Manager is a helpful look into what you can do get along better with your boss.

Leadership

In order to advance in your career, you need to show leadership skills. Here are some great blogs to help you learn about leadership.

Execupundit provides insight on management and leadership in the workplace.
The Engaging Brand is about how you can manage your personal brand — and help others in your company (and the company) manage theirs.
Leadership Turn offers a different view of leadership, and how you can develop the skills to become a better leader.
Great Leadership looks at different issues in leadership, and provides insight into current leadership practices.
Three Star Leadership provides an interesting take on becoming a leader in the workplace.
Slow Leadership looks at developing leadership skills.
HR Thoughts is really about leadership. Don’t be fooled by “HR” in the title. Blog author Lisa plans to change the name of the blog anyway.
Cranky Middle Manager is a fun way to look at leadership and management issues.

Recruitment

Learn about how to be recruited. These blogs provide insight into what recruiters and talent scouts are looking for, and how you can make yourself more valuable.

The Recruiters Lounge offers insight into the world of recruiters. Helps you know what others are looking for.
Six Degrees from Dave is a blog about recruitment and finding out how to connect with others.
Cheezhead looks at ways recruiters use technology and other means to find employees.
The Talent Buzz is all about what makes desirable talent in a workplace.
Compensation Force can help you figure out how much you are worth, and how to earn it.
Workplace Learning Today provides insight into how people learn on the job, and how you can become a better candidate.

Human Resources

If you want to know how to advance your career, and learn the ins and outs, it can help to be “in” with human resources. Learn about what others look for in a desirable employee, and learn how you can advance your career by knowing what the people who make the decisions are thinking.

About.com Human Resources gives insight into HR, training and other workplace advancement issues.
Evil HR Lady provides helpful insight and information on what goes on inide the head of an HR person.
HRM Business Practices and Notes offers an inside view of human resources.
HR Daily Advisor looks at best practices and how you can get in with the HR deparment.
George’s Employment Blawg can be helpful as you navigate human resources and learn what you are entitled to legally.
HR Wench is an entertaining look at HR professionals and what they go through.
Systematic HR looks at how technology is used in the workplace and for HR purposes.
Michael Specht provides a helpful view of career management, technology, human resources and how it all fits together.

Organizations

You should know how organizations operate, and the theory behind the workplace environment. The more you know, the better you’ll do.

Spinfluencer is about corporate communications and influence.
Flip Chart Fairy Tales focuses on business communication and practice.
Orgtheory is a helpful look at the way organizations and businesses are set up, and how you can navigate them.
Authentic Organizations provides insight into business organizations and how they function.
White Spaces looks at how you can fit yourself into an organization and thrive.