Time to Say Goodbye

Happy Thursday, all! Enjoy this upcoming long weekend and the unofficial start to summer!

Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and today will be my last blog post on behalf of The Law Office of Marcie Baker.

On May 13th, I officially graduated from Stetson University College of Law and received my Juris Doctorate. It was a wonderful day celebrating 3 years of hard work and all the family, friends, and mentors who helped me reach that point.

I have now begun intensely studying for the Florida Bar Exam, which will be held for two days on July 25th and 26th. While I have an exhausting road ahead, I am looking forward to putting it all behind me and chasing my dream of being an attorney and helping to serve others.

This fall, I will begin working full-time as an Associate Attorney for a law firm in downtown Tampa. While I am excited for this next chapter in my legal career, I will truly miss my time as an employee of The Law Office of Marcie Baker.

Marcie and everyone at the office not only shaped me into the person that I am today and provided me skills and guidance to succeed, but also became close friends, confidants, and supporters. I will forever be grateful that they helped me survive two years of law school and were there to provide laughter, support, and an escape from days filled with textbooks and homework assignments.

I would also like to thank all of you. For reading, staying tuned to kitty updates, and supporting me as I tried my hand at handling all the social media for a law firm. It was daunting at first, but I truly loved the chance to play a behind-the-scenes role in promoting both the firm and legal knowledge.

Though my time on the blog is at an end, all my entries will continue to be available on the blog website itself, or on The Law Office of Marcie Baker’s website. Don’t forget to check the sources at the bottom of each entry for more information. And, as always, contact our office with questions or to set up a free consultation.

That’s all from me, for now. Feel free to follow my journey via LinkedIn, or if I return to post anything on behalf of Marcie. Until then, be kind to one another, ask for help when you need it, and pet cats whenever you can. It’s not truly goodbye, just see you later.

**The thoughts and information contained in this blog do not constitute legal advice of any form. If you need legal advice or would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact our office.

Interesting Facts About Lawyers

Happy Thursday, all! It’s hard to believe that May is already halfway over. This year is absolutely flying by. Today, I wanted to have a little fun and share some facts and statistics about lawyers that I think you will all find interesting. Enjoy!

As of 2023, how many lawyers are there in the world?

- According to World Population Review, the United States easily leads the world in the number of lawyers – with 1.26 million total! The top three states with lawyers in the US are New York, California, and Florida.

- The second, third, and fourth countries with the most lawyers are Italy (248,000), Germany (158,000), and Romania (24,000).

- The smallest country that we all often forget about, is Vatican City. Obviously, with a population of 518, you are not going to find many residents who are also lawyers!

How many family law lawyers are there in the United States?

- As of 2023, there are almost 72,000 people employed in the Family Law and Divorce industry.

- Surprisingly, since 2017, this industry has continued to show a slight decline in the number of lawyers who specialize or work in this area.

- Massachusetts, Washington, New York, and Alaska have the highest salaries for family lawyers, all over six figures!

- Sadly, Florida ranks 48th, not paying family law lawyers nearly enough in my opinion.

How many bankruptcy lawyers are there in the United States?

- The most recent statistic I could find was from 2020, and I have linked that source below. According to IBIS World, there are almost 25,000 lawyers employed in the bankruptcy industry.

- This number is unsurprising and here are the top 5 states with the highest bankruptcy rates: Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, and Illinois.

- Florida is not on the top 10 list of states with the highest bankruptcy – which is probably a good thing!

How many Workers’ Comp. lawyers are there in the United States?

- As of 2023, there are almost 180,000 lawyers employed in the Personal Injury and Work Comp. industry.

- Specifically working in Work Comp. produces a smaller number, less than 500, but still on the rise.

- This overall number has steadily increased since 2004 and is projected to continue to do so through 2029.

Hope you all enjoyed these fun facts and statistics. Check out the sources linked below to learn more! And, as always, feel free to contact our office to set up a free consultation if you or someone you know is dealing with a legal case that you believe Marcie Baker can assist you on.

Sources:

 https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/lawyers-per-capita-by-country https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/bankruptcy-lawyers-attorneys-industry/ https://www.helloresolve.com/bankruptcy/u-s-states-with-the-highest-bankruptcy-rates/ https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/employment/personal-injury-lawyers-attorneys-united-states/#:~:text=There%20are%20179%2C508%20people%20employed,the%20US%20as%20of%202023. https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/employment/family-law-divorce-lawyers-attorneys-united-states/#:~:text=There%20are%2071%2C325%20people%20employed,the%20US%20as%20of%202023. https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/What-Is-the-Average-Family-LAW-Attorney-Salary-by-State

**The thoughts and information contained in this blog do not constitute legal advice of any form and should not be relied on. If you have any legal questions or concerns, please contact our office.

Healthy Ways to Deal with Stress

Hi all! Another week has flown by. I hope everyone is enjoying May so far and looking forward to summer! Today I want to address a topic that affects us all. Stress. Whether in your day-to-day life or due to a legal claim/issue, stress can turn our world upside down and make us feel like we have lost control.

Here are some tips and tricks to deal with and overcome stress:

1. Get moving! You don’t have to be a super athlete or sign up for a marathon, but a walk in the sun, swimming at the beach, or a bike ride around the neighborhood can help release built-up tension. Plus, fresh air is always a bonus!

2. Take one thing at a time. You may be bombarded from all sides with all kinds of stress, but in order for you to prioritize and not become completely overwhelmed you need to separate all of your stressors and attack them one at a time. That way, you can check them off your list and devote your full attention to successfully conquering the next hurdle that life throws your way.

3. Take breaks from the news and social media. In a world of instant gratification and one horrific news story after another, one of the best things that you can do for yourself is to step back, take a break, and refocus. The world will go on without you scrolling Twitter or Tik Tok for countless hours every day, and, you may just realize how unimportant social media can be when there are real-life situations that need addressing.

4. Talk to others. If therapy is your thing, then sign up with or talk to a therapist! If it’s not, talk to a friend, family member, or close confidante who will really take the time to listen to your concerns and help you work toward a solution. Ultimately, it is always better to get those feelings and emotions out instead of internalizing them.

5. Identify your stress signals. Figure out what makes your heart start to race or your fists to clench. Once you realize these triggers, you’ll be able to better prepare for them the next time around as well as learn how to calm yourself down before becoming so overwhelmed that you feel like you have lost control.

6. Create a list or journal. Sometimes we just need to do a brain dump. Whether that is making a to-do list so that accomplishing all that is stressing you out seems more manageable or, journaling your thoughts and feelings, putting words to paper will help calm you down and prioritize what needs to be done to alleviate stress in your day.

I hope that today’s blog offered some solutions and new ideas to tackle any stressful situation that life throws your way. Whether it be from a legal issue or life in general, know that you are not alone and that there are ways for you to deal with whatever stress may arise in your life. If

you need to discuss a legal claim that is causing you extra stress, please do not hesitate to contact our office to set up your free consultation.

**The thoughts and information contained in this blog are in no way legal advice of any form. Should you have questions or need to speak with an attorney, please contact our office.

Sources: 

https://psychcentral.com/stress/tips-to-change-the-way-you-deal-with-stress

 https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/about/copingwith-stresstips.html 

https://hbr.org/2014/11/how-to-handle-stress-in-the-moment

Juggling Work-Life Balance and Bankruptcy

Hi all, Happy Thursday. I can’t believe it is May. And I officially graduate in less than two weeks!

Welcome to our second week of work-life balance posts. After divorce last week, I would like to focus this week on juggling work-life balance during and after a bankruptcy proceeding.

1.) Maintain a job. Whether you are at your pre-bankruptcy job or starting a new one, you need to maintain employment so that you can rebuild credit and show creditors that you are working towards a stable income. This does not mean running yourself into the ground working 3-4 jobs but do find something that works with the changes of your life and offers you a stream of income.

2.) Establish a budget that you can stick to. Doing this may mean you change your work schedule to maintain an income, but it also may mean that you change your lifestyle so that you do not feel overworked and overwhelmed. Perhaps you are working less as you deal with the bankruptcy so that means less eating out, shopping trips, etc. Or, you may require some added hours, provided that you can handle the workload. Each person is different, but it is best to find a way to work and handle your life changes without taking on more than you can handle.

3.) Avoid unnecessary post-bankruptcy debt. This is similar to the point above. But, doing so will allow you to not feel like you have to take on an extra job or several hours of overtime work. Again, this is about finding a balance in your life and doing things to make sure you are removing, not adding stress. Obviously, buy what you need and what works for you, just consider how much and how often.

4.) Don’t forget to practice self-care. Like my divorce post, I’ll say it again – this is important in all aspects of life, but especially during a bankruptcy proceeding. You could go on a run for work, take a walk on your lunch break, or take a short vacation to get a change of scenery and a renewed mindset. No matter what you do, you have to remember to put yourself first.

I hope you all found this second work-life balance post helpful. While this week highlights another juggling act, it is not one that is impossible to achieve. Remember, it is okay to ask for help, and don’t hesitate to contact our office whenever you have questions or concerns about bankruptcy or anything else related to your legal claim.

Sources: https://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/07/after-bankruptcy.asp https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/14/what-experts-say-to-do-before-during-and-after-filing-for-bankruptcy.html

***The thoughts, ideas, and information in this blog do not serve as legal advice of any form. Should you have any questions or legal concerns, please contact our office to set up a free consultation.

Juggling Work-Life Balance and a Divorce

Hi all, Happy Thursday. I am very excited today, because, as of yesterday afternoon, I am officially done with law school classes! Next stop, graduation!

This week I want to start a new two-part series: juggling work-life balance and dealing with a legal claim. This week, I want to address juggling work-life balance during and after a divorce proceeding.

1. Let your supervisor know what is going on. Divorces are stressful and very likely to impact many aspects of your life. You don’t have to share every intimate detail, but this way your supervisor will know if you need to take some time away or reduce your workload temporarily.

2. Use a work project as a distraction. Obviously, this will depend on your job and what’s best for you. But, getting involved in a project or assignment at work can help keep your mind off of the stressful life change you are going through and allow you to let your mind drift elsewhere for a bit.

3. Think about your work schedule post-divorce. Especially when children are involved and you are likely going to have a time-sharing agreement, you may want to consider shifting your work schedule (if possible) so that you are working more when the children are not with you and less when they are. It will depend on your job, but taking this into consideration can help maximize time with your children and alleviate some work stress.

4. Don’t forget to practice self-care. This is important in all aspects of life, especially when you are juggling a career and a divorce. You could go on a run before work, take a walk on your lunch break, or take a short vacation to get a change of scenery and a renewed mindset. No matter what you do, you have to remember to put yourself first.

I hope you all found this work-life balance post helpful. While it certainly is a juggling act, it is not one that is impossible to achieve. Remember, it is okay to ask for help, and don’t hesitate to contact our office whenever you have questions or concerns about a divorce or anything else related to your legal claim.

Sources: 

https://www.divorceingoodcompany.com/post/the-divorce-work-balancing-act-best-strategies-for-the-workplace 

https://www.rpslawfirm.com/blog/2021/03/tips-for-juggling-your-career-and-your-divorce/ 

https://www.ryanryanfamilylaw.com/blog/2022/06/how-do-you-balance-work-and-your-children-after-divorce/ 

https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-deal-with-divorce-at-work

***The thoughts, ideas, and information in this blog do not serve as legal advice of any form. Should you have any questions or legal concerns, please contact our office to set up a free consultation.

What Not to Do at Your Deposition

Hi all, Happy Thursday! Welcome to our second week of “What not to do.” This week I want to dive into the world of depositions for some quick tips on what you should not be doing at your deposition.

First, a refresher on what a deposition is. A deposition is, “a sworn, out-of-court testimony given by a witness in a civil lawsuit. At a deposition hearing, lawyers will direct a series of questions toward the witness. The witness will respond to each of the questions, and the responses will be transcribed into writing.”

So, what shouldn’t you do at a deposition?

Do not lie. As the definition above explains, you are under oath when giving a deposition. You must tell the truth. Depositions can be used in court proceedings and not only will lying harm your case, but it could also have other consequences for you. Be truthful, even if it may make you look bad.

Do not forget to ask for breaks. Depositions can take a long time and you are absolutely allowed to ask for a break. Whether you need to eat, use the restroom, or just go outside for fresh air, you are more than allowed to do so. This will help the deposition run smoothly and avoid extra stress on what is already likely a very long day.

Do not forget to review any necessary documents. If your attorney gives you documents to look at before a deposition, actually look at them. They would not just give you documents for no reason, and this way if you have any confusion about documents that may come up, you can ask your attorney to explain or clarify before the actual deposition starts.

Do not guess or speculate. You are not getting graded or being given points for every question that you answer. It is always best to say “I don’t know,” or, “I cannot answer that” instead of guessing on a response because you think that is what the attorney wants to hear. I don’t know will not get you in trouble, but lying most definitely will. Finally, remember that silence is okay! Once you answer the question, do not feel you need to explain to fill the silence.

I hope you all have found these tips on what not to do at your deposition helpful. It is okay to be confused and stressed during these times but remember you can always ask your attorney for advice or clarity and make sure to listen to what they have to say. They really do have your best interests at heart and want to see your case succeed. By avoiding the above tips, you are better helping yourself to have the most successful deposition you can.

Sources: 

https://valientemott.com/legal-terminology/what-is-deposition/ 

https://knutsoncasey.com/10-things-not-to-do-in-a-deposition/

*The thoughts and information in this blog do not constitute legal advice of any form. Please contact our office with any legal questions or concerns

What Not to Do at Your Mediation

Hi everyone! Happy April! Today I want to shift gears and provide some “what not to do’s” when it comes to parts of the legal process that you may be involved in with your case. Mediation is a key part of many legal cases, and I want to shed some light on what not to do at your mediation.

As a refresher, mediation is, “a process wherein the parties meet with a mutually selected impartial and neutral person who assists them in the negotiation of their differences.”

So, what shouldn’t you do at a mediation?

Don’t be disrespectful. This should be common sense, but it still needs to be said. The point of mediation is an attempt to find some common ground between you and the other party. Even if you disagree about some things, you need to be civil and respectful. The mediator also deserves your respect. Acting rude or argumentative with them will only make them not want to work with you or cause the mediation to fail.

Don’t ignore the interests of the other side. This goes hand in hand with not being disrespectful. Mediation is an attempt at a compromise. If you are unwilling to listen to the other side, how can you expect them to listen to what you want? You may have strong feelings or disagree with what they are saying, but it is still beneficial to hear them out to see if any common ground can be found.

Don’t use your children as leverage. This really applies to divorce mediation, but it should go without saying that your children should NEVER be a bargaining chip to get what you want or to punish your spouse somehow. You need to have your children’s best interests at heart and using them to your advantage not only makes you look bad but will also lead to further conflict in what is already a stressful time.

Don’t come to mediation unprepared. The mediator will require you to bring documents about work, income, assets and liabilities, and information regarding your family/children. If you do not come adequately prepared, they will not be able to see the full picture of what is going on in your case, and trying to start negotiations to find a compromise without this full picture will be difficult and likely end up not solving the issues mediation was meant for.

I hope you all have found these tips on what not to do at your mediation helpful. Remember you can always ask your attorney for advice or clarity and make sure to listen to what they have to say. Mediation will go much smoother if you remember these tips and be cooperative with your attorney. They really do have your best interests at heart and want to see your case succeed. By avoiding the above tips, you are better at helping yourself to have the most successful mediation that you can.

Sources: 

https://www.jamsadr.com/mediation-defined/ https://www.btmediation.com/mediation-tips-for-clients/ https://sfsattorneys.com/what-not-to-do-divorce-mediation/

*The thoughts and information in this blog do not constitute legal advice of any form. Please contact our office with any legal questions or concerns.