Starting a legal career is exciting and daunting during the best of times. Starting your practice during a global pandemic, with many offices operating remotely or utilizing hybrid work models, requires additional initiative and strategic communication. Use these tips to set yourself up for success.
- Check in regularly with your supervising attorney, even if your firm does not require it.
Updating your supervisor on a regular basis will show that you are hard-working and efficient and will help your supervisor determine whether you are available to take on new (hopefully exciting) projects. Get in the habit of communicating with your supervisors and colleagues often and keep a list of all your tasks and projects handy. - Volunteer to work on projects where you lack experience.
The start of your legal career will be full of “firsts.” Tackling these milestones as early as possible will put you ahead of your classmates and other associates and show your supervisors that you are ready for more responsibility. Ask to appear at a status conference, sit in on a deposition or contract negotiation, or volunteer to draft or answer a pleading. Show initiative and it won’t be long before you are handling these tasks on your own. That said, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Practicing law comes with a steep learning curve. You will not know how to do everything right away. It is better to ask questions and make sure you understand an assignment than to turn in work that is unhelpful or that needs to be redone. When in doubt, ask for clarification. - Treat opposing counsel with respect, regardless of the means of communication.
Because of COVID-19, you are less likely to have face-to-face interaction with opposing counsel in a courtroom or across a conference table. But just because you aren’t in the same room does not mean your conduct should be any less professional. The labor and employment legal community is relatively small, and you will likely encounter the same attorneys on future matters. Don’t put yourself—or your clients—at a disadvantage by being rude or disrespectful to counsel you may work with in the future. - Find a mentor.
This doesn’t mean you need to ask the senior partner to be your new confidant. Your mentor doesn’t need to be your boss or even a coworker, but they should have more experience than you do (ideally in the same practice area) and they should want to see you succeed. Attend a virtual ABA LEL or Young Lawyers networking event, CLE or webinar and introduce yourself to potential mentors. Your firm, law school or local bar association may also have programs that can match you with someone. Once you have found a mentor you trust, use them. Ask for advice—and be appreciative when you receive it. Your mentor may be able to weigh in on legal questions or help you navigate tricky professional interactions. They may also serve as helpful networking contacts and professional references.