Professional Development

New Attorneys

How to Think Like a Lawyer

Tracey Lesetar-Smith

The art of practicing law requires us to go beyond blindly executing techniques and focusing solely on what's immediately in front of us.

Professional Development

How to Develop Successful Relationships with Older Office Staff

Nancy Bowen, Teresa Corey, Ann Helms, Lynn Hess, and Michelle Leslie

Allow yourself to look past the age gap and realize that a seasoned staff member is your biggest asset.

Tackling the Homeless Youth Crisis

Hilarie Bass

We urgently need help from lawyers and legal leaders across the country.

New Attorneys

Five Ways to Incorporate Grit and a Growth Mindset into Your Practice

Milana L. Hogan and Katherine M. Larkin-Wong

Just a few quick changes will have a dramatic impact on the way you experience the practice of law.

New Attorneys

The Client in the Next Office

Alice E. Burke

Sometimes your client is an outside party who hired you, and sometimes your client is the partner in the next office.

The Childhood Vaccinations Debate

Nicole Le Hudson

We can achieve progress in controlling and eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases by addressing the issues that underlie the discourse.

New Attorneys

Your Dream Job Is Out There, and We Can Help You Find It

Sarah Breen and Angie Rentz

If you need to make a move when the market isn’t exactly booming, there are options to help you swing the pendulum back in your favor.

How Do You Become an Assistant US Attorney?

Craig S. Denney

Many are interested in becoming an assistant US attorney. Here, we offer some practical advice.

New Attorneys

Building a Niche Practice

Jeramie Fortenberry

Lawyers must distinguish themselves from the competition in order to claim a bigger piece of the pie.

New Attorneys

How I Became a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Attorney

Tracey Lesetar-Smith

The combat sports industry is indeed a unique legal animal.

What Is Sports Law and Who Is a Sports Lawyer?

Matthew J. Mitten

An insider's look at the covetable niche.

New Attorneys

How to Become a Sports Lawyer

Roger I. Abrams

See the ball, hit the ball, and run like lightning.

New Attorneys

The Brewer's Barrister

John Szymankiewicz

I call myself a “Beer Lawyer” because it captures my interest concisely and lends to easier marketing efforts.

Job Search Tips for Young Lawyers

Matthew C. McCann

Lessons learned during a recent six-month job hunt.

Often-Overlooked Opportunities in the Federal Courts

Tommy Tobin

Numerous opportunities exist for employment with the federal courts outside an Article III judge’s chambers.

New Attorneys

The Literary Lawyer

Kathryn Beaumont

I live a dual life. I’m a lawyer and a literary agent.

Niche Practices: The Entrepreneur's Counsel

Ryan Hughes

The explosion of DIY businesses has created a need for legal assistance for these new entrepreneurs.

Should You Take a Document Review Job?

Emiko Hayashi

It may not seem glamorous, but it is a common way to gain legal experience. But is it worth it?

Practicing Law in Small Town America

Richard L. Hermann

Small-town America is not what it used to be.

Professional Development

Mastering the Unscripted Moment

William R. Hinchman

I prepared for days. I crafted a detailed outline, old-school style: handwritten, on a yellow legal pad. I entered the courtroom, sat at counsel table, and laid out my materials. It was then I discovered my yellow legal pad was gone.

Courtroom Confidence for New Attorneys

Kaitlyn R. Bernaski

Focus on these pointers for your next courtroom appearance and you will be ready to give your best performance.

How to Get in the Room

Paige M. Willan

Check out these tips for new associates on how to get into big client meetings and important hearings.

Fake It Till You Make It: Confessions from a New Associate

Raul Chacon Jr.

Most skills come through experience and willingness to experiment in the face of potential embarrassment or adverse outcomes.

New Attorneys

Practicing with Civility

Jackson Waste

It's a common misconception that zealous advocacy requires us to practice law with the disposition of a rabid wolverine suffering from methadone withdrawal.

New Attorneys

Working with Opposing Counsel or Colleagues Who Have Low Emotional Intelligence

Ronda Muir

Working with someone who has low EI can be daunting, but here’s a strategy to consider.

New Attorneys

Five Ways to Incorporate Grit and a Growth Mindset into Your Practice

Milana L. Hogan and Katherine M. Larkin-Wong

Just a few quick changes will have a dramatic impact on the way you experience the practice of law.

New Attorneys

September Is National Preparedness Month—Are You Ready?

Andrew J. VanSingel

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.

New Attorneys

Celebrate Pro Bono by Helping Those Affected by Disasters

Jessica Penkoff and Jeanne Ortiz-Ortiz

While we cannot predict the next disaster, we can prepare to serve those affected by it.

Tackling the Homeless Youth Crisis

Hilarie Bass

We urgently need help from lawyers and legal leaders across the country.

Giving Back: Representing a Dependent Child

Paula A. Velazquez

Add experience to your resume and become more confident and passionate about the practice of law.

Eight Reasons Why Dependency Law May Be for You

Judith Gallardo

Dependency law presents contested hearings and trials that would provide you with valuable court experience.

New Attorneys

Disaster Legal Services May Be Needed in Your Backyard. Here’s How You Can Help.

Andrew VanSingel and Elí Salomón Contreras

The YLD DLS program responds to the unmet legal needs that arise after disasters such as Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

Carrying the Torch on Pro Bono Traditions in the Digital Age

The National Interactive Pro Bono website seeks to be a proven addition to the resources available to those seeking legal assistance.

Giving Back to Our Profession

Frank C. Jones

A lawyer who actively supports the organized bar and seeks to strengthen the profession itself almost always winds up being a better lawyer.

Career

Suits on the Ground: The ABA Rule of Law Initiative

Adam R. Pearlman

ROLI places experts in the field to help put international norms into operation.