The JD Underground Reader

Is Freiberg and Peck Censoring JDUnderground?

2008-03-13T09:37:00.000-07:00

From http://www.jdunderground.com/thread.php?threadId=11937 -- it appears that there is proof (from the administrator of JDUnderground.com) that Craig Freiberg of Freiberg & Peck monitors JDUnderground and sends emails to request the removal of information about his firm that would raise questions for new attorneys interviewing there.

Here's an excerpt:

Author: MariannaBLS
Subject: Freiberg Thread?
Time: February 11, 2008 - 8:41 pm

What happened to my Freiberg and Peck thread?
----------------------------------

Author: Admin
Time: February 11, 2008 - 8:45 pm

Mr. Peck asked me to delete it

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Author: How?
Time: February 11, 2008 - 8:48 pm

When Freiberg &Peck contact you, are they nasty? Do they send "formal demands" with threats? Do you have a "relationship" with them at this point, where they just say- hey admin, do me a favor take down the postings? I
----------------------------------

Author: Admin
Time: February 11, 2008 - 8:53 pm

They are formal and respectful but not threatning. There is no relationship.

What pisses me off most is that they make a blanket claim that the whole thread is defamatory. I do wish that they specifically pointed out exactly what language is defamatory. I am too busy to argue with them now so I dont care. But if I had the time, I would make them point out the exact defamatory language.
----------------------------------
source: http://www.jdunderground.com/thread.php?threadId=11937

After some further internet research, suggested by people emailing me about that firm, it also looks credible to conclude that the partners at F&P post things on other websites to make it look like their firm is good. For example, there's a review online that says something like "everyone worked hard but I had health insurance" (!!!). Uhhh, McDonalds gives health insurance too... Walmart gives health insurance to part-timers who work enough hours. So does Starbucks. What does this have to do with treating people right? If even half of the other stuff is credible, that firm is deplorable.

JDU traffic has been light lately

2008-02-26T17:25:00.001-08:00

I wonder why. Anyone who has a good answer, let the rest of us know!

JDU Thread Roundup

2008-02-26T17:20:00.000-08:00

1. This thread has an interesting theory -- the next time you feel bad for yourself, go to Burger King or Walmart and see what it's like for the people who work there or shop there... and be glad that you have an education, at least. Added bonus--someone suggested ordering a Freiberger (named after the notorious firm).

2. This thread about No Fault law is somewhat interesting; for once we get a look at who might be some of the better No Fault firms or people.

3. This thread poses an interesting question--anyone know the answer?

New Site worth checking out

2008-02-24T13:19:00.000-08:00

This is a new site, about Brooklyn Law School's career counseling department, that is worth checking out.

This was just posted on JDUnderground today... I'll update with any good comments as they come.

Freiberg & Peck partners monitor sites to silence the truth?

2008-02-23T09:35:00.000-08:00

Author: honestly
Subject: What happened to the Freiberg and Peck Survey
Time: February 12, 2008 - 9:01 pm

Honestly, Freiberg and Peck are the most pathetic attorneys known. Do they not understand that by demanding that the Admin removes all their posts that they perpetuate the posts against them. I gave this thread until 11:00am until they demand its removal.

Additionally, everybody agreeing w/ the admin for removing requested posts has one thing wrong. I believe that admin makes money on this post, as there are ads. Notwithstanding, I do agree that if I was in his/her shoes, I would remove anything requested b/c it is just not worth a headache.

Author: realisticJD
Time: February 12, 2008 - 9:29 pm

F&P shut down JDJive with litigious threats--what makes you think they won't keep bitching to Admin until he scales the site way back (makes it not worth his time) or just closes the site?

Author: foreign flag
Time: February 13, 2008 - 6:58 am

Maybe their posting their OWN derogatory threads to set that up! happened with crop circles!!

Author: asdfsadf
Time: February 13, 2008 - 7:03 am

"Additionally, everybody agreeing w/ the admin for removing requested posts has one thing wrong. I believe that admin makes money on this post, as there are ads."

what does that have to do with anything? and i believe he has said he makes a few dollars a month off the site, probably enough to defray the costs of hosting it, if that. but anyway, what the hell does his making or not making money have to do with allegedly defamatory comments?

and i agree he is right in taking the stuff down. and he wouldn't only be dealing with a headache but a lawsuit from people who probably would pursue it just to be assholes and out of spite. if i were him i would just take that shit down too.

Author: andypettite
Time: February 13, 2008 - 10:26 am

why bother bumping? freiberg & peck will write a threatening email to Admin and he'll have to remove this stuff by tonight. just wait--you'll see

This controversy is heating up... the post is available at -->http://www.jdunderground.com/thread.php?threadId=11983

The Official JDU guide to discussing toilet law

2008-02-20T16:20:00.001-08:00

Here's the thread: http://www.jdunderground.com/thread.php?threadId=12303 . Go to the original thread to see responses/comments. I'd bet this thread will inspire the usual JDU flaming we all know/hate/love to read

Author: accfan
Subject: Rules for posting about No Fault
Time: February 20, 2008 -
4:23 pm
words/phrases that MUST be used in a post about No Fault (feel free to
add any I miss)
dump
toilet law
TTT
unselective
paper pushing
cutting and pasting
paper churning
dead end
Stern & Montana
MelliFreiberg & Peck
shitlaw
pathetic losers
condo in Queens
mouth breathing
knuckle dragging
Sallie Mae slaves
poors
my mind went blank now... what am I missing?

Proof the ABA is clueless

2008-02-18T18:29:00.000-08:00

There was a thread on the ABA's most recent explanation of why people hate lawyers. If this is the reason the American Bar Ass'n thinks the public hates lawyers, well... that is hilarious.

Author: WEMED
Subject: ABA Blames TV for lawer distrust
Time: February 18, 2008 - 3:18 pm

http://www.law.com/jsp/law/careercenter/lawArticleCareerCenter.jsp?id=1203075902682Does
this include OJ which high lighted the holes in the system.

----------------------------------
Author: holmes
Subject: haha
Time: February 18, 2008 - 3:27 pm
yeah, maybe if you credit TV with making all those TTT grads want to go to law school.Oh yeah - and try reading the comments on this site to see why lawyers aren't trusted or liked. We're a bunch of rude assholes. We deserve what we get - don't blame the tube.

When did you realize law school didnt match up to expectations?

2008-02-18T09:28:00.000-08:00

I think this was the best post of the thread (click link for full thread):

Author: i'll tell you when
Time: February 17, 2008 - 9:22 pm
It all hit me one afternoon near the middle of my 3L year. I realized that I wasn't going to have a job when I graduated. Just like the OP, I literally got sick the rest of
the afternoon. My stomach has never been so messed up since that one day in my
apartment a couple years ago. Some insight on how this happened so late with me. After my first semester in 1L at my TTT, I mass mailed resumes for a summer
gig. I didn't get any response. At the time, I didn't think that was a big deal since other people around me were having the same problem. It turns out, when your peers are having the same problem as you are, it doesn't seem nearly as life threatening. It doesn't seem "real" to you. It just seems like a common problem. That set the stage for 2L OCI. Once again, no offers (although I did get interviews). I ended up volunteering my time that 2L summer in some rural county's DA office. 3L rolls around and first semester is over. My friends were all having the same problem. But then it hit me. What the fuck was I doing? Even though my friends are fucked, that doesn't mean my loan payments are going to make themselves. I panicked and got physically ill the rest of that afternoon. I slept about 14 hours that day. In the end, I did get a job.Fast forward 2 years.
I now work at an infamous ID sweat shop. In short, my life fundamentally changed
that one mild, sunny afternoon in the middle of 3L. Something changed about me
after that day; I lost something. I lost hope. I lost desire and passion for life. All bullshitting aside, I'm literally half the man I used to be before that afternoon; merely a shell of my old self. I wish I could go back in time and drop out before that afternoon. But alas, even if I were to go back before that afternoon, I don't think I'd recognize that person.

Law School rankings -- the more they change the more they stay the same...

2008-02-18T09:22:00.000-08:00

... and the more people can't get passed them.

Author: Insane TTTer
Subject: USNEWS rankings: when do they come out?
Time: February 14, 2008 - 7:08 pm
Anyone know when the new rankings are supposed to come out? I really want to
see if my old low ranked T2 school will finally get pushed into TTTdom.
--------------------------------------------
Sadly, I think this guy had the right idea--
Author: asdfasdfasdf
Time: February 15, 2008 - 9:05 am
bar passage rates mean
absolutely dick. many TTTs have higher bar passage rates than t14 schools. that doesn't mean those TTT grads are going to have better jobs. the reason so many TTTs have good bar passages rates is because their curriculum, unlike good
schools, is completely aimed at teaching to the bar.the only
significant factor in these rankings is LSAT/GPA index.

A Shout-out to a nice lawyer in No Fault (seems impossible!)

2008-02-18T09:16:00.000-08:00

Another thread about the notorious Freiberg & Peck today. Apparently, however, they have a nice associate who goes to Queens Civil sometimes. (Who is he? If anyone knows, drop us a hint in the comments section. I'm not from NYC and I don't do No Fault so if you wanna give the guy props, post it in the comments).

Here's more: (link to full thread: http://www.jdunderground.com/thread.php?threadId=12141)

Author: MariannaBLS
Subject: Freiberg & Peck
Time: February 17, 2008 - 7:58 pm

I haven't been here since last week. What happened to all the Freiberg
& Peck threads? I can't seem to find them.

-------------------------------------
Author: cooper_hausmann
Time: February 17, 2008 - 10:32 pm

Marianna, Probably more of this: http://jdunderground.blogspot.com/2008/02/censoring-of-jdunderground.html

-------------------------------------

Author: Freiberger
Time: February 18, 2008 - 1:08 am

Freiberg & Peck sucks. The partners were ass holes, the work mind
numbing and even the other associates were nasty and competitive. The worst
however was Danielle Deak and Adam Weitz.

The two biggest pricks I´ve ever met. Adam, a wanna be hip hop dude
nicknamed Phofo was just a fat arrogant prick. Danielle Deak was the meanest
human being I´ve ever met. She thought she could just go around treating people
like crap without any consequence. Well, here is the consequence. Even long
after her departure people are still posting about her and the world now knows
what an incompetant and cruel supervisor and employee she is.
-------------------------------------------

Author: ben2003
Time: February 18, 2008 - 1:52 am

i worked at FP for a while too, but i never knew anything about adam being
into hip hop? was that a joke? the guy was whiter than clouds and never struck
me as into hip hop. danielle, ya, just mean and seemingly bitter at the world.
hard to tell how much of that was innate and how much was projection, ie she
probably hated no fault law and probably realized the partners were backstabbers
and she projected her hate for that onto the rest of the officeoh well, 2 firms
later i'm finally making good money so thats all long in the rear view
--------------------------------------------

Author: another no-faulter
Time: February 18, 2008 - 7:12 am

With everybody ripping into Freiberg, I want to mention one associate that
deserves credit for being a good guy. There is that italian guy who is always in
Kings. I am not sure of his name. Sometimes we have to go head-to-head, but he
is only doing his job. He is a good guy that never will backstab anybody and he
only screws you if he has to. Based on other experiences w/ this firm, I also
think that things have changed. Alot of defense firms that tried to make a name
for themselves by breaking balls have learned that they get the same results
with alot less effort when they are just decent.

Attorneys using drugs to help speed up work?

2008-02-14T16:15:00.000-08:00

Author: SirPsychoSexy
Subject: Speed: steroids for attorneys
Time: February 13, 2008 - 7:18 pm

Discuss stories, thoughts, and opinions regarding attorney's using/abusing
speed while in law school or during their professional careers. Personally, i
think it is akin to steroids for attorneys, meaning that it provides them with a
poweful mental "edge" over non-users.

Source: http://www.jdunderground.com/thread.php?threadId=12018

comments:

Author: john john planecrash
Time: February 13, 2008 - 7:41 pm

uppers are not helpful for working or studying

----------------------------
Author: Sweetness
Time: February 13, 2008 - 7:43 pm

John John Planecrash: have you ever tried them, because uppers like
Adderall and Ritalin are manufactured to elevate focus and concentration; they
really improve concentration, focus and energy. Now, with respect to uppers like
coke and meth i agree with you 100% John John Planecrash.

----------------------------
Author: onelesspoor
Time: February 14, 2008 - 12:29 pm

as a former speed addict i can say that nothing good came out of it except
a felony (thank god for PC1000) and severe weight gain and acne as soon as i
stopped. but while i was on it i was king of the world! i wrote my personal
statement at 3 am while on speed and my friend and i crafted a 50 page memoir.
my writing and vocabulary was amazing while high.

Overworked associate sleeps at office

2008-02-14T16:11:00.000-08:00

From http://www.jdunderground.com/thread.php?threadId=12040 :

Author: marlon
Subject: Last night I slept at the office
Time: February 14, 2008 - 10:43 am
On the cold hard dirty floor.I live about 50 miles away from my job, and I
just couldn't get my work done. Finally I did around 10pm, but I figured 'what's
the point' since I had to be back in at 8am anyways.It was the worst night's
sleep ever. I was awake until 4am, tossing and turning and itching from not
having taken a shower. Thinking about how much I can't stand Paris Hilton.
Couldn't stop thinking about my bitter, shitty little life. I kept thinking
about how women never have to go through this shit, because a bunch of dudes are
always offering to help them. I'm bitter. I probably got only two hours
sleep.All I had to eat for dinner was two green little apples. No breakfast
either.I didn't tell anyone. This morning I snuck out the side door and made
like I was just getting in.I'll never do that shit again.

Good Job Posting of the Day

2008-02-14T16:08:00.000-08:00

See http://www.jdunderground.com/thread.php?threadId=12052.

Author: LookeraBee
Subject: Pro Se Law Clerk (Permanent)
Time: February 14,
2008 - 3:13 pm
Nice government (court) job in Philly.http://www.paed.uscourts.gov/documents/vacancy/vacpslc.pdf

---------------------------------
Author: unfrozenlawyer
Time: February 14, 2008 - 3:15 pm
It does look like a decent job. I
sometimes read stuff filed by pro se prisoners. Kind of a nightmare.

Yes, this does look like a good job. Pay around $60k for new grads, LOTS of vacation, and government pension system. No shitlaw responsibilities and probably get to see some interesting cases in *federal* court.

Check out this guy's loan balances

2008-02-13T18:08:00.000-08:00

All I can say is "wow". Link: http://www.jdunderground.com/thread.php?threadId=11948

Author: whatever23
Subject: 3L - tier 2 - no job - feel dead - my loan balance inside
Time: February 12, 2008 - 1:34 am

Loan Type Loan Number Loan Status Current Balance Original Loan Amount Payoff Balance*
Account Number ...-70 Due Date Day: 01
CitiAssist Graduate
23 In-School $31,226.00 $31,226.00 $39,999.20

CitiAssist Graduate
24 In-School $9,872.00 $9,872.00 $11,332.60

Federal Subsidized Stafford
25 In-School1 $8,500.00 $8,500.00 $8,500.00

Federal Unsubsidized Stafford
26 In-School2 $10,000.00 $10,000.00 $10,944.18

Federal PLUS
27 Deferred3 $34,669.00 $34,669.00 $38,704.24

Federal Subsidized Stafford
30 In-School1 $8,500.00 $8,500.00 $8,500.00

Federal Unsubsidized Stafford
31 In-School2 $12,000.00 $12,000.00 $12,314.79

Federal PLUS
32 Deferred3 $35,704.00 $35,704.00 $36,807.44

Subtotals $150,471.00 $150,471.00 $167,102.45
Account Number ...-71 Due Date Day: 20 Change
Consolidation
28 Deferred3 $8,500.00 $8,500.00 $8,500.00

Consolidation
29 Deferred3 $10,444.02 $10,444.02 $11,196.70

Totals $169,415.02 $169,415.02 $186,799.15

Ouch.

Bowtie wearing staff attorney

2008-02-13T18:02:00.000-08:00

There were some good posts in this thread: http://www.jdunderground.com/thread.php?threadId=12008

Author: Jdlive25
Subject: bow-tie wearing staff attorney
Time: February 13, 2008 - 1:59 pm

http://www.seyfarth.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/attorney.attorney_detail/object_id/bc8d0e80-459c-428c-bf80-a7ff994e0251/WScottKrol.cfm

Author: scratching my head
Time: February 13, 2008 - 2:37 pm

I have always thought of Tulane as a good school. I am surprised this guy had to settle for a staff attorney position. But then again he does look like a complete tool.

Author: blech
Time: February 13, 2008 - 2:44 pm

Staff attorney, eh? His little pose with the crossed arms and scowl bely the fact that he'll never do anything signficant while he maintains his current job title.

Author: pinks
Time: February 13, 2008 - 2:45 pm

Blech hit the nail on the head:
a bow-tie on a staff attorney is like lipstick on a pig

Author: Larry
Time: February 13, 2008 - 3:12 pm

Hey, go easy on the guy. He's obviously a time traveler from the 19th century who used his Jules Verne contraption to come here from Victorian times.

Geez, everyone he ever knew is dead by now.

Pretty good stuff for a JDU thread!

Purpose of this blog

2008-02-13T09:32:00.000-08:00

The purpose of this blog is to collect some of the more notable threads from JDUnderground, tag them for organizational purposes, and provide a reference for readers of JD Underground.

If you have threads you want me to include, please post them in the comments to the blog. I'm a practicing attorney and don't have much time to comb the archives, so especially for old threads that will be helpful.

I merely have a general interest in JDUnderground.com and I'd love to use this as a personal space to keep track of the events over there. If others would like to review this from time to time, that would be good as well.