My name is Marc Dobin. I was a founding partner of Dobin & Jenks, LLP, here in Jupiter. While I was there, my then-partner, Debra Jenks, said that our web people said that I should write a blog. I was skeptical. Our “web people” actually set me up with a blogging “coach”. I thought that a blogging coach was akin to an eating coach, I don’t need help with either.

But I went through the blogging instruction, and like a little rosebud, I blossomed a bit. People were actually reading my blog. It was not just a tree falling in the woods with nobody around to hear it. I started having fun writing my blog. I met people through my blog.

Then Dobin (me) and Jenks (she) went their separate ways. I formed Marc S. Dobin, P.A., in Jupiter, Florida, and Debra joined a different firm. I kept the Law Planet blog going. I actually had someone so angry about a blog post that they called me in my office to tell me that I was wrong. I wasn’t, so the joke is on her.

I convinced myself that the solo life wasn’t for me. So, after nine months as a solo practitioner, I joined LaBovick & LaBovick, P.A. I met great people there. Lots of people to talk to in the morning, during the day and at night. But it took me nine months to figure out that working in someone else’s firm was even less fun than working on my own. I was sad to say it, but I had to leave. And when I left, I honored the commitment I made to leave The Law Planet at LaBovick & LaBovick.

So, on January 11, 2010, I returned to my solo practice as Marc S. Dobin, P.A. with a new vision for how I want my practice to look. But I didn’t have my blog anymore. Yet I knew that my ravings were interesting to some, aggravating to others and a way to find new people to talk to. Now I had to pick a name.

I couldn’t use the Law Planet Blog, that was taken. I thought about “Not the Law Planet Blog” but I didn’t want my friends (really, we parted as friends) at L&L to think I was trying to mess with them. So then I thought about how The Law Planet got its name in the first place — Jupiter, my home for over 16 years and where the office was located. And I let my mind wander. Next thing that popped into my head was “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus”. And “Lawyers are from Jupiter.” Thus, a blog name was born.

It’s still the same old me, a little older, wiser (I hope), even a little bit quieter. But if men don’t understand women because they are from Venus, men and women both can agree on one thing — Lawyers are from Jupiter.

May this be a healthy, prosperous and safe 2010 for all three readers that find this post.

That’s the view from Jupiter and I continue to be Marc Dobin.