New Lawyer Survival Tips

In the March issue of the ABA publication Student Lawyer you’ll find a helpful article on tips for surviving your first year as a lawyer. The advice was collected from a poll of lawyers from across the country who offered their best tips and words of wisdom. Some tips take the big-picture perspective, while others are pretty narrow and specific. Here are a few broader tips:

• Researching your future employer doesn’t stop with interview preparation – continue to review your employer’s website as you prepare for your first day on the job.
• Make a good impression on the job – this includes dressing the part and showing good social skills with everyone at the firm, from the partner to the person who cleans your office.
• Strike a balance between enthusiastically accepting work assignments and finding your work-life balance.
• Don’t neglect your network – build on the contacts you gained in law school by attending social functions and networking events with your colleagues.

And for some nitty-gritty practical tips:

• Always bring a pad of paper with you to take notes.
• Don’t trash talk other lawyers or law firms.
• Don’t check your text messages while meeting with a client.
• Keep an extra suit and pair of dress shoes in your office.

See Karen Schwartz, How to Survive Your First Year on the Job, 43(7) Student Lawyer (March 2015).