Career advice for skilled writer, researcher, retired attorney who wants to be of service?

Question

I am in my late 40's, and not interested in further legal work. My resume is excellent scholastically and in my career, where I spent 15 years as a senior research attorney for the highest court of my state (one of the best regarded state Courts). I enjoy the analytical process of research -- both online and off -- and equally enjoy writing clearly and simply for easy understanding. I would like to use these skills to answer people's questions in a way that benefits them and society. My greatest pleasure comes when I know I am helping others, directly and one-on-one. I am very charity-minded, but I would like to have a modest income, not riches. How can I combine my idealism and skills for a second career I would enjoy?

Oddly, I've found the experience here on Yahoo Answers (under a different account) very pleasant, although I would like more depth to my work. Unfortunately, YA only pays in points!

Please, serious answers only.

Thanks to my two answerers, so far.
Does anyone have any ideas outside of legal practice? As I said, I'm not interested in further legal work. Also, the website idea, while it might be helpful for the public, would be difficult to do within the rules of the State Bar, as to charge for advice creates an attorney-client relationship, which imposes many ethical duties I could not meet over the internet. I'm thinking more of a general researcher for non-profit or charitable organizations, something along the lines of the "Homework Help" category here but more sophisticated questions -- is there any market for these services?.

Answer 1

I'm sorry you don't want to do further legal work. It's refreshing to hear from a lawyer who is charity-minded! Your law skills are so needed by those who can't afford high-priced lawyers. There might be a market within the health-field for someone who can research medical and nursing topics and clearly present information for staff education, patient education, and community education. Or perhaps you could help religious organizations and Churches by clearly presenting research explaining the latest ramifications of tax laws etc. This would work in the political arena as well, researching and writing about candidate positions, pros and cons, and educating the public as to the latest Washington changes, etc. Knowledge is power and the ability to communicate knowledge in a way that empowers society is an awesome thing! Good luck with your goals.

Answer 2

You may want to set up a legal Questions/Answers Forum, where people could contact your website for legal advice or questions and you would answer for an affordable fee. You could set up a payment arrangement thru Pay Pal, or equip yourself to accept credit card payments directly. Another venue would be doing research for people from various states to guide them thru legalities. Good luck with this! I think it's a great idea, and very generous of you to want to help people who may otherwise have no one to turn to.

Answer 3

What are the fastest growing jobs? -- A list of the occupations projected to grow the fastest is available at http://www.bls.gov/emp/emptab21.htm.

What are the occupations adding the most jobs? -- Occupations with the largest projected growth are available at http://www.bls.gov/emp/emptab3.htm.

What are the fastest growing industries? -- A list of industries with the fastest projected employment growth is available at http://www.bls.gov/emp/empfastestind1.htm.

Do you have projected employment growth for States or geographic areas? -- Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not make projections for States or areas, almost all States make projections for their States and some local areas. These projections are available at http://www.projectionscentral.com

Do you have more details on projected employment growth? -- The Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections page at http://www.bls.gov/emp/ has a great deal of data on and links to projected employment by occupation and industry, including the National Employment Matrix, which, for each occupation, provides base year and projected employment by each industry, and for each industry, provides base year and projected employment by detailed occupation.

Answer 4

i love the idea to start your own on line consulting!! then hire me to assist you! ha!