When I Was a New Lawyer

What inspired you to become a lawyer? And what did you do before becoming a lawyer?

I was working in the public relations industry on September 11, 2001, when I watched events unfold from my office window in NYC. That day led me to re-evaluate my path in life, and I ultimately decided to pursue becoming a lawyer to make a difference by helping people and advocating for law and justice. My initial intention was to pursue a career in criminal justice as a prosecutor, but along the way, I found I was more intrigued by addressing complex disputes, especially in the commercial context.

How did you become involved with the ABA?

I became involved with the ABA after receiving encouragement to do so from a partner/mentor at my law firm. Initially, I went to an Annual Meeting to check out the different sections and quickly found my place in TIPS. Since getting involved with TIPS, I have served as the Chair of the Employment and Labor Law Committee, a Vice-Chair of the Business Litigation Committee, and an Associate Editor for the TIPS Law Journal.

What is the benefit of a new lawyer becoming active with the ABA?

Hands down, the people. The ABA, especially TIPS, offers an opportunity for new lawyers to expand their networks and make contacts who will not only become potential referrals or sources for new business but also lifelong friends. I remain in touch with many of the people I met during that first Annual Meeting I attended.

What early career practices led to your success?

Number one, saying yes. Young lawyers should embrace opportunities to do new things, whether expanding their legal skill set (e.g., trying a case, taking a deposition) or sharpening their business acumen (meeting with clients, pitching new business). By saying yes to new opportunities, I quickly found myself taking depositions and arguing motions at a time when many of my peers were doing non-stop document reviews.

Number two is working hard. The goal isn’t merely to get the job done but rather to get it done at the highest level possible. I remember that, as a young associate, I was tasked with preparing a draft of a memo of law. A mentor told me that I shouldn’t just prepare a draft that I think is good enough for the reviewing partner, but rather, I should prepare a draft that is ready to be filed with the Court. That means putting in the time and effort to ensure that your work product is top quality.

What is your advice for a new lawyer seeking to acquire, retain, and nurture client relationships?

Be responsive. Clients can choose from any number of good attorneys. Always keeping a client up to date on the status of a matter, responding promptly to outreach (even if only to say, “I’ll get back to you shortly”), and making sure the client’s needs are being met (as opposed to just the matter’s needs) are surefire ways to position yourself as someone the client will want to work with and help distinguish you from much of your competition.

What gives you the most satisfaction?

For me, nothing quite compares to when a well-planned and well-executed legal strategy produces a favorable result for a client. Playing the long game isn’t always fun and requires a lot of patience and commitment, but as the A-Team used to say, I love it when a plan comes together.