Graduation From Law School Complete

Advice For New Lawyers

All across South Florida, dozens and dozens of law school graduates will be embarking on their first legal employment endeavors. To all of you reading this article, welcome to this noble profession that many distinguished people have navigated and made great names for themselves. If all goes well, you will have dynamic opportunities ahead of you. As a fellow professional, I offer you a few helpful tips:

  1. Work Hard

After you have gained your energy back from passing the bar, get your nose to the grindstone. Hard work will and does pay off.

  1. Master Your Craft

Avoid distractions! Developing strategic partnerships, bettering your community, and making a name for yourself are all essential tasks, but none as important as becoming a master of your craft. Continue to be a student of current law trends and learn.

  1. Glean From The Best

Every master was once an apprentice. As you make contacts, you should find a seasoned veteran and befriend them. Having a strong mentor is worth its weight in gold.

  1. There Are No Stupid Questions

Being new, it is expected that you do not know everything, and you will not. If you are not sure, ask. It is better to look like you do not know (which they expected already), then to act like you do not know.

  1. Experience

Find ways to work in different practice areas. As time goes on, you will find your desired niche. You will never know unless you try.

  1. Work With Others

Similarly, work with other attorneys. See first-hand what they do that works. If you want to be the best, then shorten the learning curve and learn from others. Take the lessons, make them your own.

  1. Stay In Contact With Classmates

You never know when those relationships will prove beneficial. They can produce future collaborations that you might have never gotten on your own.

  1. Take Care Of Your Staff

There is no “I” in team. You have climbed to the top. Don’t forget those you have supported you and that are currently working to help you now. A great supporting staff is hard to find and keep.

  1. Deal With Your Mistakes

Never cover them up or try to hide them. All that will do is compound the issue. Just confess and get to fixing it.

  1. Use Your Community Time Wisely

Once you start to have time to get involved in the community, make strategic decisions on where you will put your time and focus. Choose the ones you are passionate about and that fit into your schedule.

  1. Protect Your Reputation

There is nothing more important than your reputation and integrity. Everything you do will impact the way people view you. Judges, lawyers, and colleagues talk. It will not be long before bad decisions made in or out of the office get around. It only takes one lapse in judgment to derail your career.

  1. Take Pride

You are an attorney! Stand tall. Seek justice and love mercy in all that you do. Practice with solid ethics. Be a leader and remember all those generations of solid lawyers who have paved the way and brought justice for all.

Be proud and welcome to our professional community.