Comments on: Is This What They Teach at Reed Smith University?

By: Eh Nonymous

Eh Nonymous — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 16:56:23 +0000

It’s bizarre that “frequent reader” said that DK needs to “keep a professional focus.”
What?
Let’s try that again.
A personal friend, frequent collaborator of DK is fired – and with no public explanation. It affects the public – particularly the blogging and blog-reading public – directly. This is like hearing Dan Rather (or Connie Chung, although Denise is more talented in my view than either one) is getting canned.
If it’s not professional to write in stern tones about what a bad move it was, then what is?
Tut-tutting?
Hand-wringing?
Dispassion?
All of those are inappropriate. What IS appropriate is to start saying, in measured tones,
“Gee. Reed Smith just made a poor business decision. Do you suppose it indicates a lack of resolve in meeting the future head-on, or does it presage mass firings? Is it related to a possible merger, or is this about boneheadedness?”
If we can’t Monday-morning Quarterback Reed Smith for its action – when it remains silent and on the sidelines – then I don’t know what blogging is good for.

By: Dennis

Dennis — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 03:21:28 +0000

Just a quick note:
Both commenters seem to have attributed to me comments that specifically said were comments others were likely to make.
Also, as a general rule, I’m much less interested in or persuaded by anonymous comments than “non-anonymous” comments.
As far as having “no insight,” I sort of thought that 23 years of practicing law in a variety of firms and setting would give me some insight. Perhaps not.

By: mark

mark — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 17:06:51 +0000

You wrote: “The firm simply made a bad business decision.”
I think you are probably wrong on that point without saying more. How much work did she generate for her firm as a result of her blog? Many of her posts are of a personal nature (family, child, etc) and each one is quite readable, but from a business context, I don’t see it.
My guess is that the constant Pamploma-like dash for billable hours, staying ahead of the Bull got her gored. A 2 hour plus commute, a child, those go to the heart of what in the end is a heartless business … and billing and making money.
Reed Smith probably made her keep the hours up. If she was a rainmaker, they probably tolerate the rest of any “so called” issues with mommy hood.
In the end, the firing will be the best thing for her, her family, and her sanity, IMHO.
BTW, Reed Smith is a big firm, and they can take the criticism from others.

By: Frequent Reader

Frequent Reader — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 16:21:58 +0000

This is very unlike you, Dennis. You have no information or insight into why they let Denise go, but you are quick to make the firm out to be at fault. It’s nice that you are on her side, but your blog is read by many and you need to maintain a professional focus.