You will be missed. You consistently wrote with humor, style, creativity and class. As someone who toiled away here at Legal Blog Watch before you, I appreciate how difficult it can be. Scott Greenfield wrote earlier today that you have established yourself as "one of the giants of the blawgosphere" who "will be sorely missed." I second that emotion.

Now comes the true aging fat man, having seen my name mentioned above. I would just add that some lawyers-turned-marketers have relevant skills they've picked up in their lives and careers elsewhere than in law practice. In my case, for example, I spent many years working for legal media. I have been editor, publisher and executive at various media companies, including the one that sponsors this blog. I have worked in print media and online media. I've also covered technology for close to two decades. Am I the Drew Manning of law practice? No. But I do believe I have knowledge and insight to share based on everything else I've done. One other point. I know some former lawyers who go into marketing and PR for the simple reason that they did not like practicing law but love helping the lawyers who do like it build practices. If your passion lies in helping others do something -- even if you prefer not to do that something -- and if you have the talent and skills to help them, then what in the world is wrong with that?

This is hysterical! Who knew you were a poet?

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

I can't resist this invitation. Here are just a few people who've made a difference while billing hourly: Court-appointed criminal defense lawyers who represent wrongly-accused defendants. Lawyers who represent alleged mentally-ill clients in civil commitment and guardianship cases. Lawyers who take political asylum cases to represent immigrants whose lives are in danger. Lawyers who fight innocence cases for inmates on death row. Lawyers who take sometimes-unpopular speech cases to protect the First Amendment. Lawyers who represent children in need of services or who are abused and neglected. Not quite on a par with Jesus or Gandhi, but they certainly made a difference in the lives of their clients.

My dissenting opinion: http://www.lawsitesblog.com/2010/08/the-art-and-science-of-lawyer-bios.html.