Every year, only a few applicants are interviewed and considered, whether through the painstaking process of on-campus interviews for a summer associate position or via a different route. Congratulations: you beat the competition and got the job as an associate at your firm. Something about you stood out and set you apart.
The challenge now is how to fit in within your law firm while maintaining that competitive edge. You must strike a delicate balance, and this is one matter we can’t turn to mandatory authority to find an answer. Like many at your firm, you are detail-oriented and driven, but this is often not enough. Differentiate yourself by decisively aiming to be your best self. Here are some ways to both fit in and stand out at your firm.
One way to fit in while standing out is to communicate proactively and kindly with partners, paralegals, and other coworkers to ensure deadlines are met, tasks are assigned to the appropriate people, and responsibilities are distributed fairly among group members working on the case or project. Contributions come in many forms, and as much as professional law degrees may be a shared commonality, expectations may differ among partners and projects, even within the same office. Just as every case is different, so are the individuals and clients involved, so proactively seeking to understand how best to meet and manage their expectations is wise. Don’t try to read minds: leave that to those in a different career.
The legal profession is an exciting, new, and broad world; taking feedback with the best attitude possible will make everyone’s lives better in the long run. There are times when the demands of the legal profession determine that adjustments are necessary. How you react in these circumstances can have a lasting impact on morale and on the memory of those who provide constructive criticism. Pressure to be almost continually available, to make a good impression, and to always meet or exceed expectations is a common predicament for many young professionals, especially new attorneys. Despite effort, care, skill, and caution, remember that nobody is perfect.
Be measured and deliberate with your words: shorten emails, meetings, and phone calls whenever possible. Establish a system to reply timely and efficiently, as delay can spell disaster. If an email needs to be sent or a phone call returned, take the initiative and prioritize accordingly.
If you predictably always take on work from every partner who asks, hours in the day will fill quickly, and work product quality may suffer. Be reliable and relatable: Always deliver on time and tailor your legal advice to the individual needs of each client. This may mean turning down a project to make sure you have sufficient time to complete the work you already have.
There may not be an “I” in “team,” but “I” is at the center of “win.” Importantly, however, it’s in lowercase, reminding you to stay humble throughout your legal practice. Every job interview, promotion request meeting, and billable hour form requires an explanation of what you have done to contribute. If you want to win the case, the argument, the negotiation, the deal, the contract, or whatever it is you have been hired to advise your client about, do your role well and be a team player. Even attorneys in private practice are on the same team as their clients; a team working together can make all the difference.
Knowing yourself and your environment is key to success. While it’s important to be knowledgeable and competent in professional practice, some law school rules still apply to practicing in the field: nobody likes the gunner or the know-it-all. Be confident in your work on the legal topic, and let your work speak for itself. Allowing your knowledge, research, and work product to speak for itself is louder than the words you may use to tell everyone how much you know.
These are some tips I have learned and observed from those around me. Never be afraid to prove yourself to yourself and those around you. Remember that collaboration is often constructive. Compliment others and complement your firm; you will likely find that you are exactly where you need to be to succeed.
