THE STANKOWSKI REPORT #23: Do I Really Need This Anonymous Weblogging Gig?

by Stan Stankowski

So, it has been quite the fortnight or so for the anonymous legal blogging community. Opinionista, in an apparently planned escapade, essentially outed herself in a New York paper. Shortly thereafter, the clinically-disturbed David Lat did the same. This, of course, follows on the heels of Blachman and Dooce and that slut in D.C. (oh wait, she got paid .... so, that whore in D.C.). It just does not seem to be a good time to be an anonymous legal blogger.

What has lead to all of these outings?

It seems the great multitude have been self-inflicted. Of course, Opinionista may have been a pre-emptive strike, as she alluded to threats of outings. Lat surely shot himself in the foot due to vanity or perhaps a misapprehension of how people would react. Blachman chose the apparent vehicle of choice by outing himself to a New York paper.

Indeed, my gracious host Evan has recently questioned the ethics of anonymous legal bloggers.

And so, where does that leave Stankowksi? Fine question.

Unlike Opinionista and Blachman, I am not really looking to leave the law. I kind of like it.  Plus, I need my job.  Further, unlike Lat, I am not really caught up in the credit thing, at least not to the extent that I would ruin my career by calling a newspaper. Besides, that is a silly motivation. People, like say, Evan, know who I am. Just not all of you. That is enough for me.

Still, I do need my job.

And really, I am obscenely busy. I would hate to lose the outlet, but my firm would actually pay me to write a freaking article or two in a bar journal every once in a while. Not as much fun, but a little more lucrative. That would also help me to avoid the wrath of Ted, whose unquestioning sincerity scares me a little.

It's quite the quandary.  Should I hang it up?

About the Author: Stan Stankowski is the pseudonym of a first-year associate working in a litigation firm somewhere in the South. For more details, read his introductory post, as well as Evan Schaeffer's introduction. The collected Stankowski Reports are here.

Comments

[StuartSmalley]

I enjoy Stan's posts, even though their quality is a bit uneven, to put it mildly. Perhaps Stan might wish to drop down to a lower contribution level, posting irregularly. When he actually has the time, and something funny and/or interesting to write about, he could. Conversely, we don't have to slog through the half-assed posts, or the bimonthly "Stan's Swamped" posts.

[Mike]

It's quite the quandary. Should I hang it up?

Dan Solove offers some nice tips for anonymous blogging. Anyhow, Evan can chime if he disagrees, but I've found that lawyers (and especially lawyer bloggers) are very discreet about a person's anonymity. I can't think of a "regular" at Legal Underground who would unmask you.

But it's risky. The worst thing that could happen to you is that you'd lose your job. Is that a risk you're willing to take? As much as I enjoy your posts, if you're not willing to risk it, then you should stop blogging.

[Matt]

You can always find another job practicing law. Don't give it up for that reason.

[sarni]

I love reading the Stankowski Reports, so of course I would be happy to see them continue. I also think that it provides a different perspective on the world of being a lawyer, which is great for law students or people who are trying to decide whether to embark on a law degree.

On the other hand, it's not worth losing your job over a blog. So if it comes down to that... bail.

[Daryl]

I love the Stankowski Reports. As a first year law student you keep me entertained and aware of what may be ahead.

[jen]

I really enjoy your posts b/c they capture what it is like to be a new attorney and your pretty funny. I would stop though if you are going to lose your job--it's just a blog. Also, you may want to rethink the amount of your postings if you can't keep up, I am one of those nerds that actually looks forward to thrusdays :)

[P. K. Scott]

I love the Stankowski reports. They are very funny and I look forward to your posts every week. However, if you are worried about losing your job or plain don't have time, you should probably quit.

[SharkAttack]

Quit fishing for compliments. Of course you shouldn't hang it up.

First, we all enjoy your posts. Second, the risk of outing is seriously overblown. Just because Opinionista chooses to be a prima donna and out herself, doesn't mean that outing is inevitable. Even Jeremy Blachman, a law student, managed to trick people into thinking he was a lawyer until he chose to reveal himself. Finally, writing this is nothing like writing some lame paper for your firm. There's no way it's as fun.

Keep posting for crying out loud.

[mythago]

I was darned surprised that Opinionistas is apparently who she said she was.

[Samuel Alito]

The book-deal opportunities are driving people mad!

They are outing themselves like flies.

I'm glad I have always blogged as myself, so I won't have to worry.

The Right Honorable Samuel A. Alito, Jr. (the A stands for awesome)