Navigating your way through your law career is not always plain sailing. You may have survived law school with minimal storm damage, and landed at the perfect port with your new law firm, but how do you manage to clamber to the top of the rigging within your new firm?
As with any career, the difference between good and exceptional is vast; working late, putting in 110% effort (110% of the time), being a team player, never giving in, brilliant knowledge, and so on, all take a huge amount of constant determination, and can be very wearing – this is why so many newly qualified lawyers give up law, and find another profession to follow.
However, if you’ve survived the journey so far, and have plans to reach the top, the following ten tips will help you set your compass and guide you to success.
1. Lose the Ego
Once you have achieved that coveted job in the law firm of your dreams, lose the ego. No one wants to hear how highly you placed at university, how grand your pedigree, or how fine your university – as chances are, they did every bit as good, if not better, than you. That’s how they accomplished a place there too!
Most lawyers agree that there is always someone smarter, faster, hungrier, and better than them, if you haven’t realised this yet, you are in for a nasty surprise. To truly stand out in your firm you must be able to weigh your own strengths and weaknesses, but if you can’t see past your own ego, this will be impossible.
The best lawyers put clients first, the firm second, and themselves, last.
2. Treat Everyone with Respect
Losing your ego is the first step on your way to treating everyone with respect. While it is easy (and beneficial to your career) to be respectful towards partners, it is also excellent advice to offer respect to all people you meet.
Paralegals, other lawyers, and court professionals, can all help you with your career goals. They may be able to grant you favours, or at the very least, not stand in your way when there is something you require.
You should also treat those who aren’t within the legal community with respect. You never know who may end up becoming a client. Everyone should be viewed as a potential client for your law firm, no matter how expensive your firm, or how prestigious, there is still the possibility that this individual may become a client in the future.
3. Engage with your firm
Outstanding lawyers are passionate about their firm. They engage on all levels with their work, the partners, their colleagues, and business associates, continually pushing their limits, expanding their knowledge, and going that extra mile for clients.
Choose an area of law that you are passionate about – that passion will not go unnoticed by your boss, clients, and colleagues.
4. The Value of Writing Skills
As a lawyer you won’t always be giving rousing opening statements, but you will always have to communicate well in writing.
The value of exceptional writing skills cannot be overstressed. Even with today’s minimal texts, and sassy social media posts, clients, and employers, will still expect professional, courteous letters and emails from their lawyer.
To develop your writing skills you will need to practice. Learn to imitate writers, and communicators, that you admire, and read good writing in any form, be it newspapers, legal documents, or books, they will all help you achieve your goal.
5. Developing business
Associates are expected to work hard in an effort to generate business for their firm, your career will depend upon it.
An associate with a limited client base, and little business on their books, will struggle to find new employment with another firm should they wish to, and it is even harder if you are a partner.
Law firms demand that as you move through your career, and life, you should be meeting prospective clients, encouraging new business, and nurturing your firm’s interests. Learning how to do this is essential to your career path, and allows you to reap the benefits.
6. Understand your clients
Clients want a lawyer who treats them with respect, can communicate well with them, can win their case, and, a lawyer who understands their needs.
Clients may not have the foresight, or knowledge, to know which lawyer is best suited to their purpose, who attained the best grades in law school, or who can draft the finest document, but they will know which lawyer comes across as arrogant, is late returning calls, gives contradictory, or ill-informed advice, and which lawyer fails to understand their requirements, and anticipate their needs.
Attorneys must respond promptly, be concise, authentic, and listen to their clients. Building business for your firm means finding, and keeping, clients. Good customer service is required in order to achieve this.
7. 110% Effort
As stated in the introduction, associates are expected to give 110% effort, 110% of the time, even though they are on the bottom rung of the ladder.
Partners require associates to turn in work that only needs signing off by a partner, so your work must be exceptional, all the time. Partners want well written, and researched work that is mistake free. It should be delivered to a partner as if they are the client – as perfect as you can make it.
8. Become Involved
Lawyers are expected to eat, sleep, and breathe their law firm. To achieve success you will need to go the extra mile, and then perhaps, another one.
Get involved with an extracurricular events; networking, mentorships, and volunteering at events will ensure you are noticed, gives you the opportunity to develop business, and hones your communication skills.
Talk to people at events, especially partners in your firm, and let them know you are interested in taking on assignments, helping out, or simply just keen to be involved.
9. Dress to Impress
We have all heard the saying ‘never judge a book by its cover’ however, it is often easier to say than to do.
With this in mind, it is worth dressing to impress at work. Lawyers have adhered to strict dress codes for decades, and so this is what clients, and most partners, expect.
Men should wear suits, preferably dark, grey or blue, with a tie, and keep their hair short. Women should avoid overly bright colours, and too much jewellery, choosing tailored suits, with neat, tidy hair. If you are unsure look to the partners, and dress accordingly.
10. Work Hard, Play Hard
Law attracts hard working, independent, competitive people who often put their working success and accomplishments ahead of their own well-being.
However, while working hard may be the norm in law firms, it is of vital importance that you take care of yourself, both mentally and physically.
To stay on top of your game you will need to learn some healthy coping mechanisms – as opposed to the excessive drinking that is considered the socially acceptable norm. Take up a sport, grab a meal with friends, join an exercise class, or just have a ‘down day’ once in a while, as this will help you maintain your sanity in the stressful, hectic environment that is today’s law firms.
If your health and well-being begin to suffer as a result of your work, then no amount of success will compensate for your losses.
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