Many say the courts have traditionally leaned towards trimming Miranda, that begins with “You have the right to remain silent”, even when it’s not in the best interest of law and order. There are those who say these changes include “major revisions”. The decision, originally made in 1966 and was as a result of an Arizona man being questioned in a kidnapping charge, was put into place in an effort to ensure everyone’s civil rights were kept in tact, even during an arrest and any subsequent questioning, says the EmploymentCrossing.com founder.

The changes will now include attempts by law enforcement to question a suspect who had previously asked for a lawyer provided that suspect had been released from custody for at least two weeks, with no violation to the suspect’s constitutional rights and with no obligation to mirandize the suspect again. Many are questioning the logic, even as Justice Scalia, who wrote the majority opinion, attempted to explain:

“In our judgment, 14 days will provide plenty of time for the suspect to get reacclimated to his life, consult with friends and counsel and to shake off any residual coercive effects of his prior custody”.

Another change, and one that’s, well, interesting to say the least, includes that suspects must break their silence in order to tell police they’re not going to speak in order to invoke the “right to remain silent” aspect of Miranda. That’s a slow dance with way too many moves, say some legal experts.

Not only that, but some suspects, not knowing the Miranda rules had changed (really…how many bank robbers will check for any revisions to Miranda before donning his stocking face mask and gloves?) could find themselves against frustrated law enforcement officials who believe the suspect is kicking Miranda, when in fact, the suspect may only be invoking Miranda as he knows it. There’s sure to be a learning curve, at the very least as law enforcement officials and the court systems acclimate themselves to these changes.

The Court approved only one state version that does not include specific verbiage that suspects have a right to a lawyer. In Florida, Miranda is read that a suspect has the right to talk to a lawyer “before answering any of our questions”, versus the more standard “you have a right to have an attorney present during any questioning”.

Regardless, these changes, designed to keep Miranda in tact as much as possible, will need the proverbial “growing pains” before it finally settles in and becomes second nature to those who work to ensure the safety of the citizens and those who are determined to break that sense of safety, says A. Harrison Barnes.

Barnes also says those days of picking and choosing clients are long gone. Everything, including legal services, has gone global. After all, there’s no shortage of talented, educated and brilliant legal minds. Look at it from a global perspective and it becomes clear the days of resting on our laurels are long gone (what few days there were, anyway). So how do you define your own success?

In many ways, it’s as simple as combining your personality, your skill sets and expertise to create the brand. Many people assume a proper presentation is all it takes, but that’s where they’re wrong. Become the lawyer who is enthusiastic, hopeful and confident. Become the lawyer who returns his own phone calls and treats every client as though he’s the only one. Instead of committing forty five minutes for a consultation, plan for an hour so that your potential client can leave feeling as though his questions are answered and his newly hired attorney actually cares in the outcome. Dale Carnegie once said, “attitude is the cure all”. Ensure you meet that mantra each day.

Another suggestion A. Harrison Barnes makes is to include yourself as you consider those you are in competition with. Challenge yourself each day to be better than the day before. Even if you’re a junior in the law firm and no hope of senior partners resigning in the next decade, treat each day as though you’re going to be offered partnership at the end of the day, whether you see yourself long term with this firm or not. It creates good habits and keeps your ethics strong and focused.

Finally, and as simple as it sounds, it’s a concrete as any other advice you’ll ever receive: treat others the way you want to be treated. Put yourself in your client’s shoes and understand that the legalities of life can be overwhelming for those without a law degree. Play fair, be honest, do your work and go home…it really is as simple as that.

For years, the divorce rates in America have hovered near the 50% mark. With recent announcements by a few well known celebrities of their marriages dissipating, including Kelsey Grammar, who is divorcing his wife and Melissa Etheridge, who is legally ending her partnership, divorce attorneys across the nation are staying busy. College graduates who have chosen to go into family law will likely always have a clientele; but what does a day in the life of a divorce lawyer look like? We asked A. Harrison Barnes, attorney, career coach and founder of LawCrossing.com. Here’s his take:

First things first, says the Hound.com founder, “Depending on the caseload, there usually is an effort to spend a few minutes alone in the mornings going over his cases before clients begin showing up”. A divorce lawyer who’s made his career in dissolving marriages learns quickly to be prepared for those clients who are emotionally charged. These lawyers know that while he may witness several divorces a month, his clients are often experiencing the painful journey for the first, or sometimes the second, time. A wise attorney knows John Doe is coming at two o’clock and the first thing he’s going to want to know is if his wife agreed to share custody of the dog. He’s prepared for that inevitable question. Maybe it’s a heartbroken wife who caught her husband cheating – he knows the moment his client walks into his office, he’d better have the Kleenex handy because she will most certainly shed tears.

There may be a deposition during the course of a day. These usually go smoothly, but too many times, it becomes a disorganized and charged atmosphere with only a conference table and two lawyers between a volatile couple. Accusations fill the air and negotiations are carefully worded. Most lawyers want their clients to walk away with some degree of pride and not feeling as though they’ve been taken to the cleaners even, when they’re facing off across that conference table or are presenting evidence in front of the judge.

Sometimes, says A. Harrison Barnes, a family law specialist will feel as much like a psychologist as he does an officer of the court. There are always those bruised egos and fears of losing custody of children both parties truly love and want the best for. This, says Barnes, can prove most difficult for a divorce lawyer. By the same token, there must also exist in the attorney’s psyche the ability to help a client through the realization that her husband is getting the house or the wife is getting all of the home furnishings. Fear, anger, rage and disbelief are all part of the daily game for these guys. Some days, it’s all about getting to the other side with some degree of satisfaction in knowing he’s represented his client to the best of his abilities.

Choosing family law is not always an easy decision. The LawCrossing.com founder agrees it takes a certain disposition to enjoy a successful career in this sector. It’s not surprising then that many young lawyers change their specialties once they realize the level of commitment it takes.

Don’t allow one verb to become overused in the course of your resume. Think “develop” here. There are other words that allow for a better flow of your resume and serve your purpose nicely. How about:

” Instituted

” Introduced

” Established

” Implemented

The Hound.com founder also recommends words such as “enhanced”, “refined”, “cultivated”, “generated” and even “produced”. These are all words that usually aren’t the first ones that come to mind when putting together a resume. Better still, A. Harrison Barnes recommends a resume writing service, such as the one found on Hound.com. A team of experienced writers can really make your resume shine and stand apart from all others competing for an interviewer’s attention.

While using stale verbs won’t put you out of the running for a position, if you can avoid them, why wouldn’t you? Take a step back and try to see your resume as an interviewer would. Remember, it’s your career at stake and you can be sure you’re not the only candidate that’s applying for an opening. Not only that, but the resume and cover letter are the first introductions of you to a potential employer. And you get one shot to make it count. As much as an employer looks for talent, ability, education and all the other “must haves”, employers are also looking for creativity and someone who thinks outside the box. This is the ideal opportunity to show that ability.

You develop a plot of land. You create/implement/write a standard operating procedures manual. Keep your resume tight and focused and steer clear of the same tired catchphrases and verbs – you’ll feel better about submitting it for consideration and you can be sure it’s a refreshing change for an interviewer.

It just takes a few extra minutes of proofing and if you have problems coming up with something different, a quick internet search will work wonders, says Barnes. A resume can be flawless but still be boring. Shake things up and ensure your resume not only gets noticed, but is remembered, too. You never know when it’s a small detail that makes the difference between a polite letter thanking you for your time, but that they’ve chosen another candidate and a phone call that says “Welcome aboard!”

There are always opportunities to motivate high school kids and a mock trial is one of them. It lets them know someone is interested in their well being and the choices they’re making and it’s something they take pride in. Knowing they’re participating in such an exciting event is magical for educators and lawyers to watch as it unfolds. It’s not surprising, then, that many blossom just by having some attention and interest paid to them.

The LegalAuthority.com founder is quick to agree that it can sometimes be difficult to find the time or energy to participate in a high school mock trial, but when attorneys and even paralegals do find that time, their rewards are returned ten-fold. If you’re interested in working with a local high school, you’ll need to contact the school board to work out the details. Of course, there will need to be interest by the kids and since it likely won’t mean credits needed for graduation; you, the teachers and students will need to commit to time in the evenings and even a few weekends. It’s a big sacrifice, but one worth making and one that will stay with these kids the rest of their lives. Remember, it’s those small sacrifices that define the great men and women in our country. There’s no better way to build that foundation than to take an interest in a teenager and help nurture it into a passion that allows him to make his own way and someday, give back to the next group of high school kids looking to pave their ways. And so the cycle continues.

Here is what BLS reports as fast growing legal sectors:

Environmental Law – This one is much of a surprise, considering our current global situation. It’s the perfect opportunity for those who appreciate the outdoors to make the most of what would otherwise be an “indoor” kind of career. If you’re going into environmental law in the next year, you have chosen what is likely the best time in this generation to do so, says A. Harrison Barnes.

Intellectual Property – Copyrights, patents, fair usage policies…this is all a part of this lawyer’s job. Toss in the internet and its unique intracies and it’s an exciting choice for many.

Criminal Law – This one’s always a sure thing. Trying to eradicate crime is akin to erasing your memory of the 1980s and the severely distorted belief you had on what “high fashion” was. Criminals will always exist and the need for those legal minds who can represent them and protect their rights will always exist as well.

Civil Law – Three words: BP Oil Spill.

Military Law – With so much at stake and so many of American soldiers being charged for the crime of doing their job, those with a military background who can successfully represent these men and women will be in big demand.

This is just five of the many different avenues an attorney can pursue. A legal career is exciting and rewarding for most; the trick, says the LegalAuthority.com founder is finding what you’re most passionate about. Let’s face it, if your work isn’t rewarding and you find yourself becoming resentful, you’re likely not serving your client’s needs as well as could. There are no hard and fast rules that say you must commit to only one area for the entirety of your career. Also, don’t forget the other dynamics that play into your satisfaction: the size of the firm you work for, it’s track record for pro bono work and anything else that’s important to you. Just because the partners believe you’re a good fit for the firm doesn’t mean you have to agree.

Remember, only you can determine what’s best for your career. Use your passion, your education and your sense of right or wrong to guide you – provided it doesn’t guide you back to the 1980s, of course.

Many positions require an understanding of employment law and even other legal specialties. Employers who dont want to leave themselves vulnerable look for attorneys who want to shake things up in their career. For instance, many companies have full time investigators on board. When that investigator has a law degree, these companies rest easy knowing theyre not trampling on anothers privacy rights. Everything from contract law to concerns over employee theft and how to handle it all require a certain set of skills. Lawyers do really well in these positions and the salaries can be impressive too.

Another great position includes those lawyers who specialize in all things financial. Stock options, creating flexible spending accounts, medical insurance these are all important to a business, but can be a landmine when trying to navigate the sometimes unclear waters. These guys can not only help the company with threats to its financial health, but can also double as a personal advisor to employees. Its a win win for everyone involved. A benefits manager with a background in law is in big demand and now that the countrys on way back after a long recession, these guys are more important than ever.

Employment mediators are also finding themselves in big demand. Employment law can be tricky and when an employee feels hes been wronged, its to everyones advantage to settle the problem outside a courtroom. This is where an attorney can flourish as a mediator. These positions also include impressive salaries and benefits packages, says A. Harrison Barnes.

Finally, the LawCrossing.com founder says teaching is always an option. Its both rewarding and never dull. It ensures a lawyer is not boxed into any particular specialty and is also a great way to broaden his horizons. Teaching positions often lead to other unexpected opportunities.

Any of these positions are rewarding and will allow one to incorporate that costly education on a daily basis. No one wants to work in a position where theyre not happy and your law degree ensures you always have options. Most come to realize its not the profession they abhor, but rather, the constraints some positions place on them.

For some of these jobs and other great ways to use your law degree, be sure to visit LawCrossing.com. With thousands of jobs added daily, a new career avenue awaits you. Where you take your education is up to you and where you ultimately land just might provide satisfaction in ways you hadnt even considered possible.

Not only that, says A. Harrison Barnes, but one employee can’t be fired and replaced with another who falls into the protected class. One Supreme Court ruling highlights this very issue. In O’Connor v. Consolidated Coin Caterers Corporation, an employee was fired and replaced with another employee who was within the protected age range (the new employee was 40). The Supreme Court ruled that the discharged employee could still bring suit. It was a unanimous decision, notes Barnes.

So what happens when an employee needs to be discharged, but it also protected under ADEA? Barnes recommends that employers do what they’ve always done: document, document and document. The law is meant to protect employees from being discriminated against, but he says it shouldn’t come to the expense of lost profits or other negative actions that could result by keeping an employee on board who can’t do the job.

While many employment experts feel this law meant more lawsuits were coming down the pipe, it’s proven just the opposite. That could change, though. As mentioned, more baby boomers are wrapping up their working years and with the recession affecting nearly every American in a less than ideal way, many of those same baby boomers who were looking forward to retirement a few years ago are now realizing they need to extend their working days, sometimes by only a year or two, but there are those who have now decided to work another five or ten years. The jury’s still out, but it could be changes are around the corner. As with all things, time will tell.

For those employers who are saying goodbye to loyal employees who are preparing to fill their days with fishing, vacations and travel plans, courtesy of a long planned retirement, visit LegalAuthority.com and EmploymentCrossing.com to find the brightest new stars that are ready to come on board and fill those positions.

Whether you are looking for a job as a stockbroker or a waiter, or you want to find employment domestically or overseas, you will find that making an impression at your first job is essential! The jobs that we take tell people a lot about us, as does the way that we work at those jobs and when you want to let your coworkers and your employer know that you are someone who is worthy of respect, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. The truth is that respect is something that needs to be earned and if you are ready to move forward and to make sure that you can earn it, there are a few things that you need to think about.

The first thing that you can do to earn respect is to be willing to learn anything and everything. What do you need to learn to do the job and what are people willing to teach you? The more eager you are to take on the work, the better an impression that you will make, so consider how you are going to be able to get the results that you need. Be ready to take on any task that is thrown your way and always be willing to take advice on the way that you do it. If you are a new worker, you can bet that the information may seem like it is coming at you a mile a minute, but remember that this is something that will slow as time goes on.

You will also find that you can get a lot of mileage out of keeping your mouth shut. It sounds severe, but for the first weeks or even the first few months that you work at a place, you should do a lot more listening than talking. In the first place, this will prevent you from sounding like a know it all. There are many different options out there when you are thinking about moving forward and making sure that you can get the results that you want, but by keeping your ear to the ground and by making sure that you are going to be able to get the results that you need, you will find that a quiet newcomer tends to make a better impression than a snob who knows everything and never wants to listen!

Another thing that you can do when you are interested in winning respect at your new job is to look into how you are going to be able to take on more duties. If some overtime comes up, make sure that you take it, and be willing to put in some extra work now and then. The important thing that you should remember is that you should be willing; the more people know that they can trust you, and the more work that you are doing, the better off you will be.

Winning respect at your first job is essential, so remember these small and significant tips that will help you do it!

A. Harrison Barnes argues that it is very important to be liked at the work place. If it is not so then there is the possibility that your superiors may not like you and even think that you may not be liked by their clients. This will generate a negative image in the minds of the employers and is detrimental to your growth.

Do not get too involved with Cliques: A. Harrison Barnes strongly advices to avoid being a part of cliques while working in an organization. It is an unhealthy practice because the basic trait of cliques is that if any member is suffering due to any reason, they all will stand up against it. So if you are close to any of the members of the organization who is going through a rough patch, then others will think the same about you as well. The firm will consider you as a part of the same group and will be of a strong opinion that you would react in the very same way as others who are a part of the clique. Over 50 percent of employees leave or will be fired in the first two to three years, says A. Harrison Barnes. Often they leave as they do not like their workplace or their bosses. Often however, as a direct result of cliques, the management feels the need to weed out the group mentality that often accompanies cliques for the betterment of the organization.

You will only succeed if you do not belong to any of the group. A. Harrison Barnes from his experience says that most of the people who have moved to a better position in their life have not been part of any group. They understood that such cliques have no positive effects on their careers, so they were keener on working hard than being a member of it. They knew that this was an obstacle in their path to success.

Do not Speak Ill about Your Coworkers: You should not say anything ill against your co-workers or your organization. You should avoid being part of or participate in rumors of anyone in the organization. Most rumors are of a co-workers personal life or with regards to his professional competence. Firstly, there is no guarantee that what you have spoken about someone will not be communicated to that very person. To someone with serious leadership skills, you will look extremely weak if you gossip. This will adversely affect your chances of growth in the organization.

If you are spreading irrelevant rumors chances are they will return the favor. Never speak negatively about your subordinates as your work hinges on them. Once a subordinate comes to know that you have bad mouthed him/her, he can make your work more difficult that you can imagine. If the management were to ask them about you and their opinion about you, and rest assured that you will not get a very positive report card. It is a good idea, never to upset your staff with negative words or gossip.

Make Your Superiors feel Important: You have been hired in the organization because work needs to get done. Your superiors are the ones who have hired you for this very reason. You need to make them feel important. The reason is very simple. In our personal life, we surround ourselves with people who give us importance. Similarly, in an organization if you want to grow, you need to make you superiors feel that you are here for them.

They expect you to listen and do as they tell you to. If you are new in the organization, it is a bad move to set your own protocols or ways to do things. Your superiors have more experience than you, and there will be a very good reason why they have asked you to do a particular work in a specific way says A. Harrison Barnes. Do not challenge them. That will give them a feeling that you lack respect for them. Make your superiors feel important and help them look good in front of their respective bosses. Accolades and benefits will trickle down slowly but surely. As A. Harrison Barnes says, if your young do not try and be a general, be a soldier and work your way up to be a general.

Listen and ask what others have to Say: One trait that is purely human is to talk about you to other people. Little do we understand that others are least interested to hear you talk to them about your personal life and so on. If you are a good listener, people feel that you are taking active interest in them and you really want to know them better.

You should listen to what your superiors and subordinates have to say. You can gain knowledge and grow in the organization if you listen to what others have to say. The smartest person is the one who listens and even asks others a lot about themselves and do not end up talking about himself. A. Harrison Barnes says that you can gain tremendous amounts of information by simply listening to others. Keep your ears open for useful information can land no your ears from anywhere.

Be Cheerful: People prefer working with those who are cheerful and not with those who always have a bad mouth for others. A cheerful and energetic attitude towards your work will attract you towards your colleagues and they will like you more. This will even give you a positive attitude towards your work and you will prefer working hard for both yourself and the company. Always carry a smile with you. This will have a very good impression upon your subordinates as well as your seniors. Moreover, if you smile and be energetic, this will definitely spread positive energy at workplace.

Be Sincere and Honest towards Your Work: Always take your work seriously. A. Harrison Barnes says that you should always give enough importance to it. You should not forget that you are here to work. You are measured and appreciated by the work you do in the organization. Every management wants an employee who is sincere and honest. This shows that the employee is ready to learn and grow. Such employees are assets to the organization and will grow higher and faster. If you give importance to your work then it will add importance to your career.