This story in the NY Times last week, though, reminded me just how important staying anonymous is, A Legal Battle for Lawyers - Online Attitude vs. Rules of the Bar:
But Mr. Conway is a lawyer. And unlike millions of other online hotheads, he found himself hauled up before the Florida bar, which in April issued a reprimand and a fine for his intemperate blog post...Sign-in may be required. Try bugmenot.com if you need an id.
That penalty is light compared with the price paid by Kristine A. Peshek, a lawyer in Illinois who lost her job as an assistant public defender after 19 years of service over blog postings and who now faces disciplinary hearings as well.
I understand protecting the privacy of others and confidentiality issues ... but the retribution many face for honesty in social networking highlights the fact that Freedom of Speech is not protected when it comes to employment for most people. In fact, we park most of our "rights" when it comes to the workplace, some of them just for as long as we are physically at work, but far more are lost forever if you want to keep a job.
ReplyDeleteHello! I've enjoyed reading your blog. Please check out a favorite blog of mine - Professor Leonard Birdsong, a law professor and Harvard Law grad, based out of Orlando, Florida. http://birdsongslaw.com
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Awww, I enjoy reading your blog! I hope you'll provide an opportunity for us to obtain log-in info before you make it private.
ReplyDeleteemm... funny thread.
ReplyDeleteHey, have you heard anything about these online paralegal courses and paralegal certificate programs?
ReplyDeleteSouth University
Everest University
Rasmussen College
Kaplan University
Any information you have on the better schools would be great! Thanks in advance.
- E