First Year of Practice

What do you remember about your first year practicing law?

My first year is a blur.

Although I had three years of clerking under my belt, there was still so much I didn't know.

Especially around discovery--a place junior litigation associates spend a lot of time.

I also was uncertain about switching from having one boss to having many--several mid-level and senior associates and lots of partners.

Then there was the question of competition: were my co-associates my friends?

Although I chat with associates all the time, I don't often frame it around "what I'd tell my first-year self," but maybe I can here:

👉 Breathe. It's a job, there are people around who can and will help you. It is okay to not know what you're doing.

👉 Don't lose yourself in it. Keep up your hobbies. Keep up your relationships outside of work. Take time for yourself--from the jump. (Note: I post this as I feel like I've lost myself in the work the last two months. It'll cycle through--keep an anchor for yourself, though.)

👉 Being seen is a real thing, but so is finding what works for you. Pick an in-the-office and work-from-home schedule quickly and stick to it.

👉 Listen. To partners and senior associates giving you work, but also to everyone around you. What positive things are you hearing and experiencing? What negative things are you hearing and experiencing? Who seems genuine? Who is only concerned for themself? .

👉 Take the feedback. Learn from it. And figure out: Who is trying to mold you into another version of them, as opposed to teaching you to be a good attorney in your own right?

👉 Figure out who you do and don't like working with and what topics you do and don't like working on. There won't be much you can do about that right out of the gate, but eventually you can and you'll want to be ready to make those decisions.

👉 Build credit. You build credit by being available, meeting deadlines, asking good questions, attending firm events. Once people know you do good work and are committed to the firm, you can start cashing in on that credit (to do things like work from home, or take vacation).

👉 Get to know the other associates. Maybe they'll be work-only friends, but some will be lifelong friends. Regardless, it's important to have relationships with people who are in the trenches with you and can relate to your experience.

👉 Network. Get involved in bar associations and local civic groups. Have (and keep) a hobby. Business and client development is not a switch you can magically turn on once you make partner. Start practicing those skills immediately. And, having friends at other firms will help you know what complaints exist everywhere and what complaints are specific to your firm.

I think I could go on and on, but I'll stop here.

What advice do you have for your former first-year lawyer self--and new lawyers today?

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