Once again, I must say, "Damn, y'all"

Saw an ad today on The Posse List for a new project, starting Monday, with a rate of $35 per hour. Only a 3-week project, with no mention of overtime, but we haven't seen $35/hour since late 2008, kids. And this project was accepting any-jurisdiction bar memberships, not requiring DC Bar membership. Whoa. Market must be pretty tight out there. Of course, with more than 400 people on the project I am working, that means at least 1 in 6 contract attorneys in DC are on a single project. There are lots of projects out there these days. Maybe the rates will rise and stay there. Of course, when this project ends, there will be a whole bunch of people looking for work. Probably take rates right back down again. We'll see.

And it just got sadder

The agency that posted the pathetic project I just mentioned has retracted the ad. Why? Because the rate was too low and they realized no one would take it? Nah. Because the project is in New York, not DC, which makes $25/hour totally understandable. New York City is much more affordable than DC, right? Should have not problem staffing that goat-roping.

This is just sad

An agency is advertising a project that defies belief: 40 hour cap, 2-1/2 weeks, starting tomorrow. The rate? Five dollars an hour below what is generally accepted as the market floor. I shudder to think what the folks willing to take that project must be like. Top-shelf talent, no doubt. Somebody here suggested creating a new email account and asking the agency if they've lost their fucking minds. I might do it -- maybe using somebodyIdontlike@yahoo.com.

Wow, that's pretty bad

The market has been slack lately, but of course it's summer. Or was. Slight pickup in the last couple weeks, which made me hopeful that I'd find something quickly once this thing ends. Saw a project advertised today that is paying Charlotte rates, 40 hour cap. I guess they justify it because they aren't requiring DC Bar membership. Still a crappy rate.

Might be karma

I am told (but have not been able to verify) that the $26/hour project that got advertised earlier this week fell through. Thank you, Jesus. As if there weren't enough downward pressure on rates as it is.