A trendy topic of late seems to be that with the improvements in search technology and the increasing prevalence of message boards, blogs and other ways to express yourself on the Net, people will increasingly be able to find out what you've written and done in the past. Even law firms have apparently begun to take an interest in their employees' or candidates' online acts.

My first reaction is one I have over and over in Internet law... firms--did you really think your employees never talk about the firm and its goings-on? Did you really think your candidates had no opinions other than those they glibly recited in their interviews and fancy lunches? Lawyers--did you really think the firm would never check your background? Did you really think the firm wouldn't notice if you're writing about it? My second reaction is also typical: Firm--get a thicker skin. Lawyers---own up to your past and, today, if you're ashamed for someone to read what you're saying, why are you saying it in the first place? I know there are important reasons for anonymity, but I also think far too many people use "privacy" as an excuse to just avoid standing up for what they believe, or to get away with things they know are criminal, embarrassing or just plain icky.

Do you really want to work for a firm that will reject you based on something you wrote when you were in high school? I know things are tough out there but do you want to hide in the closet your whole life? If you regret what you did, say so and move on. If you don't, say so and to hell with anyone who doesn't like it.