Quote:
Originally Posted by RonS
In order to realize you objective, you really must spend time in the DR to learn about the legal culture there. It is more than educating yourself in the Napoleonic civil law system and the peculiarities of Dominican law. I'm an attorney in the US and have just recently started to form friendships and, hopefully, a longer term relationships, with a few very good and very smart young Dominican lawyers. My impression is that the Dominican legal profession is a very tightly knit group of people who have relationships that have been forged over time, and that they jealously guard thier perrogatives and turf. You have to become, as HB said, 'Dominican'. It is a different way of doing business and a different way of practicing law. In addition to doing your homework, my suggestion is that you network and build relationships there. I wish you good luck, and I hope you'll let us know how you make out.
|
I'm a US attorney as well, and am in full agreement with Ron. In addition, criminal and family law are probably the two practice areas that require the most personal contact with clients and the courts, which limits your ability to do things from a virtual office.
If you're set on practicing and living in DR, here's my advice. Read what HB and Ron said a few times, and take it to heart. While you're learning the code, building relationships, getting your citizenship, meeting any requirements and getting known in the community (preferably at the same time), consider working as a contract-based lawyer.
In the US, these lawyers review documents, perform research and other important tasks, but work as independent contractors. Projects last anywhere from a week to years, many jobs are virtual (meaning you can do it on a computer), and you have tons of flexibility. No future with a firm, but perfect freedom.
They make between $30 and $80 USD an hour in the states. I have friends who earn upwards of 100k a year (OT included), with the ability to take several weeks or months off.
Sounds like you're from another English speaking country, so while I don't know what the pay rate would be, I'm sure it would be worth your time to investigate.
Good luck,
DRob
(10)
Vi är inte så många. 
(551)
