I'm in Arizona. I was let go from a law firm in 2004, for having made some type of mistake, and so one attorney didn't want to give me work anymore. The rest of the people in the firm were pleased with my work including my immediate supervisor, who told me 'everyone likes you, just keep doing what you're doing' - before i was let go. Anyway, since then, I have had many interviews trying to move onward and upward, all goes well, my 20+ years experience being a big plus; then, it seems everything stops, when it gets to the 'calling old employers for references' phase. I'm aware that laws restrict the questions potential employers can ask of past employers, but one question permitted is "would you hire her again?". My past employer likely says "NO", due to whatever policy. IS THERE ANY WAY TO OVERCOME THIS 'NOT ELIGIBLE FOR RE-HIRE' STIGMA, which likely greatly influences potential employers and continues to hold me back from moving onward? Anyone have experience with this? I don't want to try omitting the past employer from my resume, it will leave more than a year of working time blank, and I don't want to try lying to cover up the omission.