All lawyers are guilty of “Humblebragging.” Young lawyers maybe even more so are guilty. What is humblebragging? Humblebragging has been defined as “bragging in the guise of humility, putting a thin veneer of humble over a clear expression of proud.” A lot of times the humblebrag is over social media but sometimes the humblebrag is executed to your face. This usually leads to sudden urges to slap someone.
Check out some of these examples of the legal humblebrag:
“I wasn’t able to get into the University of God’s Father’s Law School so I will have to just settle and go to the University of God’s Law School. I am still grateful for this opportunity!”
“I only got my client a million dollar settlement. I guess my kids will just be going to the local private school instead of boarding school. So happy for my client.”
“I’m so honored to be named a leading lawyer! My firm only had to make a $5,000 donation to the publication which named me a leading lawyer this year!”
“I’m so honored to be named a super duper attorney! I filled out a form and got my friends to say I am a super duper attorney! This is awkward because there are people who have been practicing law for 30 years and are not super duper attorneys! #feelingblessed.”
“It is such a pain in the ass to be invited to this prestigious conference for the 5th year in a row. Boooring!”
“I am so busy with clients. My phone keeps ringing. I don’t even believe I can write this sentence to you!”
“I don’t know how I am going to manage my crazy life. I just got invited to give a presentation to the entire state on my area of law. It is such a pain being this authoritative and sought after.”
“I’m humbled to be named a leader in my community. Every year right before this admirable and respected award is given out, I brave the elements outside of my firm for a quick photo opportunity and take a picture of myself giving homeless people food. It’s cold out there but I gave up one billable hour to those in need. #sacrifice. #frostbite. #theregoesmybonus.”
If lawyers would only say what they mean… I am very busy. I have money. I have influence. I piss excellence. I $#!t gold. I am the cat’s meow.
Anyway, I am so happy to be the one to bring this problem to your attention. I’m excited to hear if you have any other examples of legal humblebragging. (Special thanks to Elizabeth Morris for inspiring this entry by posting an article on Facebook on the subject. I am humbled and honored to know this great lawyer!)
What examples of humblebragging did I miss?
MORE IMPORTANTLY, is there a better way to self-promote or market oneself than the humblebrag?
Press Release for Scott MacMullan Law, LLC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2013
Scott W. MacMullan appointed to the Maryland State Bar Association Judicial Appointments Committee.
This Committee, made up of local and at-large members, receives and reviews a copy of each judicial application for every judicial vacancy statewide, and contacts references; assigns the application to a Committee member for the preparation of a summary and presentation to the Committee; then conducts an in-person interview of each applicant; and votes on the applicant’s qualifications. It then submits the Committee’s confidential findings to the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and the Governor for consideration (some JNCs request and receive an oral presentation from the Committee Chairs prior to their interviews of the applicants). The Committee provides each JNC with its peer evaluation of each applicant’s qualifications, which stands as the MSBA’s formal position with regard to that applicant for a period of 18 months.
About Scott MacMullan Law, LLC
Scott MacMullan Law, LLC provides general legal services in the State of Maryland the District of Columbia. The firm provides counsel and advocacy in a wide range of civil, criminal and family law matters. The firm’s motto is “Local Knowledge You Can Trust.”
For more information contact 443-494-9775 or [email protected]
The Maryland State Bar Association is a professional, non-profit, voluntary organization comprised of over 23,000 attorneys and judges across the state of Maryland. It monitors judicial and legislative issues in the state, offers legal education opportunities and promotes leadership within its programs that ensure the delivery of quality legal services to all citizens. MSBA is committed to furthering the efficient administration of justice and equality for all under the law.
Founded in 1896, the Maryland State Bar Association celebrated its Centennial over the course of 1996, following the theme “Striving for Justice.” In addition to special events, a 300 page Centennial Book and other promotions, a public service project was an integral part of MSBA’s Centennial.
MSBA is known for its outstanding membership services, dedication to public service and voluntary pro bono efforts. MSBA offers an array of membership services and benefits for its members and works to continually better the legal profession. MSBA promotes the spirit of public service and the spirit of volunteerism. It functions as an excellent mechanism to channel the volunteer efforts of Maryland attorneys to help society, serve to those in need and tackle some of the state’s most pressing problems, like the current legal service to the poor funding crisis. The strength of MSBA lies in its members, and their willingness to volunteer for the public service.
Scott MacMullan Law, LLC is now offering, free of charge, the Clio Connect service. This service provides a secure portal through which clients can access specific documents or invoices in addition to a secure messaging feature.
Clio Connect enables Scott MacMullan Law, LLC to easily share resources and collaborate with clients or contacts through a secure web-based portal (extranet). This grants clients and contacts the latitude to review and contribute to relevant matter developments, and helps to mitigate associated inefficiencies related to time consuming communications.
In other words: You can find out for yourself what is going on with your case, any time, any place.
Scott MacMullan Law, LLC
Your Case. Any Time… Any Place.TM
Your Case. Any Time… Any Place.TM