Lexis Hub Career Development

Office Etiquette for New Attorneys

desiree@greenhornlegal.com (Desiree Moore) — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 00:33:00 -0400

Do not wear headphones in your office. Ever. Period. Let me explain.

I. The Generational Gap

In every legal practice, there is a distinct age and generational gap between the oldest and youngest attorneys in the office. As a rule, it is the responsibility of the new lawyers to impress the more senior attorneys. This is how we move forward, this is how we build relationships, and this is how we learn and perfect our craft.

II. The Message Headphones Send To Your Colleagues

Now, I can assure you

Fear and Fearlessness

alison@thegirlsguidetolawschool.com (Alison Monahan) — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 15:43:00 -0400

Lately this quote has been making the rounds:

"What would you do if you weren't afraid to fail?"

But I'm not sure that's the right question to be asking.

Sure, as a mental exercise it might be helpful...I mean, I'd love to be able to snap my fingers and climb Everest, or surf Mavericks, without going through the "Holy crap, this is really scary, I might die" phase. But am I actually going to do either of those things? Probably not. (Everest isn't inconceivable, but my one surfing attempt made it clear that's not the sport for me.)

Is there an alternative?

The Fear Isn't Going Away

I saw an interesting speech recently where the speaker talked about

Re-evaluating a Legal Career

rmarx@vault.com (Rachel Marx) — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 09:23:00 -0400

The Wall Street Journal published some chilling statistics about how recent law grads are faring. According to the WSJ, only 55% of the class of 2011 had full-time, long-term jobs that required a law degree nine months after graduation. And only 8% of those graduates held full-time, long-term jobs at firms with more than 250 attorneys.

In response to the WSJ article, J. Maureen Henderson at Forbes came out with a piece entitled-spoiler alert-"

As lawyers, one of the best ways to give back is through pro bono work. And in taking on meaningful pro bono projects, you may find that you are doing some of the most significant work of your life.

(My friend Bill Colby comes to mind. Early in his career, he took on a pro bono case, Cruzan v. Missouri Dep't of Health, that spanned the course of his 20 years at his law firm, went up to the Supreme

Balancing Life and the Stress of a Legal Career--Easier Said than Done

cc@happygolegal.com (Chelsea Callanan) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 22:35:00 -0400

I have a much easier time recommending for others what they should do to find work balance, and have great wishes for them that their journey will go smoothly. I am here to say from firsthand experience that even when you are making positive changes to support your balance and sanity, it can be a hard road. I will be sharing (very soon) some big changes I am making in my life. For now, understand that I am living in the perpetual state of transition and know it will be worth it in the end.

The other night I had pains in my chest and couldn't breathe

So I have been doing a lot of taking my own advice lately. I am shifting significantly how I spend my time, and setting up for a life more closely in line with my priorities

Why You MUST Have a Website

alison@thegirlsguidetolawschool.com (Alison Monahan) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:05:00 -0400

Okay, if you're a solo practitioner, or really any kind of hire-able lawyer who doesn't currently have at least a basic website - please, I beg you, GET ONE. How in the world am I supposed to refer you business otherwise?

Do you seriously think my friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend, who's called me in tears because of this, that, or the other really bad thing that just happened, is going to pick up the phone and call you tomorrow morning, with only a non-maintained Avvo profile to go on?

News flash - it's not going to happen.

How do I know this?

Because I get asked for referrals all the time, and I pay attention to what happen next. (Actually, in some cases, I don't even bother

Home for the Holidays? How to Overcome the Guilt of not Working so You can Relax

vault@placeholder.com (Vault.com) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:03:00 -0400

Dreading the idleness of the holidays?

Fear not. A little time away from your desk and even-gasp-your wireless access can be good for career and even your job search.

Here's how to enjoy the time off to its fullest--while making professional advances that will pay off by Christmas.

A few "gifts" of the holiday season to be thankful for:

1. Long Plane, Train, or Automobile Rides

Got a long trip and a lap top? You're golden!<

Rookie Mistakes to Avoid as an Associate: The Office Holiday Party and Wearing Controversial Attire

desiree@greenhornlegal.com (Desiree Moore) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:59:00 -0400

"An associate at our firm dressed inappropriately both during work hours and at after-hour firm functions. Her clothes were revealing, unprofessional, and sloppy. She appeared not to understand the difference between business attire and party attire. She did not get an offer to join our firm as a first year associate after law school."

How to avoid this disaster:

A lawyer's

10 Simple Ways to Thank Your Clients

cc@happygolegal.com (Chelsea Callanan) — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 16:27:00 -0400

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." - John F. Kennedy

Thank you. It is one of the phrases we are taught as soon as we can speak.

Amidst this year's post-Thanksgiving haze, as we rush into the holiday season, I have been happy to see many public displays of gratitude. Several friends on Facebook have launched gratitude challenges, posting something they are grateful for every day for a month. It is great to focus on gratitude for family, friends, health,

desiree@greenhornlegal.com (Desiree Moore) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 23:48:00 -0400

As a third year lawyer I found myself assisting with a weeks-long trial in California that centered around two power-house Hollywood types, both out for blood (breach of contract case, but yes, blood). The opposing party, Michael Sitrick, is known as the "king of crisis PR" and a master of "spin." His work involves representing high profile companies and celebrities when they have run-ins with the law, the media, and one another. Rightly

It's Law Firm Bonus Time!

rmarx@vault.com (Rachel Marx) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 13:19:00 -0400

The Thanksgiving leftovers are dwindling and law firm associates are back to work today-that is, if they weren't in the office all weekend. And on the exact same day as it did last year, top law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore kicked off bonus season by announcing associate bonuses for 2012. If the last several years are any indication, it won't be long until most every other New York BigLaw firm follows suit and offers associates-surprise!-exactly the same amount of money.

In a firm-wide memo, Cravath announced the following year-end bonuses (class year refers to when attorneys graduated from

Getting a Law Job with Average Grades

vault@placeholder.com (Vault.com) — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 14:21:00 -0400

Have questions about how to navigate the world of legal networking, interviewing and job searching? So did more than 1200 law students, who tuned in to the lively and informative webcast "Ask the Experts-Answers to Your Questions on Legal Job Search, Networking and Interviewing" on Thursday, November 8. The event was hosted by LexisNexis and co-sponsored by Vault and the American Bar Association, and featured a panel of four experts: Brynne Lehner, a legal recruiter at Manatt Phelps & Phillips LLP; Rich Williamson, a partner at Nevada firm Robertson, Johnson, Miller & Williamson; Sheila Nielsen, former lawyer and career counselor at Nielsen

Rookie Mistakes to Avoid as an Associate: Failing To Pay Attention To Detail

desiree@greenhornlegal.com (Desiree Moore) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 22:40:00 -0400

"At my first law firm, I assisted in preparing a number of documents as part of a transactional filing for one of the firm's largest clients. In reciting the company name, I did not insert a comma before the 'LLC,' though I was told that the company name required it. The documents were filed before anyone realized my error. At the time, I thought it was a small mistake. As a result of this 'small mistake,' however

Two Steps to a Winning Law School Exam Strategy

alison@thegirlsguidetolawschool.com (Alison Monahan) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 23:00:00 -0400

It's almost time for the final law school exam push, so I'll make this brief.

What are you going to do these last few weeks, to ensure you're ready to go on exam day?

Re-read your class notes?
Try to memorize a bunch of cases?
Cram a commercial outline into your head?
Look over a practice answer or two?
Give up and go to sleep?

Any of these could be useful, but let's talk big picture - What's a winning overall strategy?

The Two Critical Elements of any Good Law School Exam Strategy

I think law students (particularly 1Ls) get confused for one key reason - they confuse tactics and strategies.

There's a ton of law school

Interview with Purpose

desiree@greenhornlegal.com (Desiree Moore) — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 22:33:00 -0400

When we interview prospective candidates, we tend to interview with the blanket purpose of determining whether or not the candidate is qualified for a job in our office. This is fine. But a successful interview will depend on something more than this.

Use these tips to ensure you are interviewing with the specific purpose of choosing a candidate who is a perfect fit for your office, will fulfill a clear role as

Create a Game Worth Playing – 6 Steps to Clarify Your Goals for Greater Success

cc@happygolegal.com (Chelsea Callanan) — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 22:22:00 -0400

A game with rules, challenges, and results worth playing for will allow you to win!

I am asked by law students and lawyers many iterations of questions boiling down to wondering why they are not getting the results they want to, even though they are working hard. yet when asked what it is that they are working towards, many of these same highly motivated individuals can't articulate what it is exactly what they want to achieve.

Just because you are motivated does not mean you are clear on your goals.

A surprising common thread carries throughout these conversations - many legal professionals go through their life and career without having clear goals. Everyone wants to "do well," "bill more hours

Sacrifices to Becoming a Partner in a Large Law Firm

BEHREND42@AOL.COM (David Behrend) — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 23:57:00 -0400

I seem to have it made as a 37-year-old lawyer: partner with a "Big Law" firm here in Pennsylvania, nice house in the suburbs with spouse and kids, recognized as a solid producer by senior management. I can probably run the table here until retirement in 25 years. Only one problem: I'm not really excited and thrilled about staying here forever. Spoke to a few colleagues and friends in confidence, and they stated, "You've got it good; be grateful and stay the course." What do you think?

I've had the opportunity to counsel many lawyers over the past 20 years who outwardly seem to be on what may be called a "successful track" - but they are

Why You Should Embrace Change

desiree@greenhornlegal.com (Desiree Moore) — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 23:54:00 -0400

The professional world changes constantly. And law firms, in particular, are fluid places. Every year, a new class of attorneys is ushered in. New partners are made, senior partners retire, partners and associates alike transition in and out. Instead of fighting this, instead of resisting change, we should embrace it.

Here are three reasons why:

1. With Change Comes Opportunity

Six Tips for a Leaner, Meaner Resume

vault@placeholder.com (Vault.com) — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 23:52:00 -0400

In today's social media age, you'd be better off taking resume cues from your Linked In page than your parents.

Electronic submission and a tough economy means lots of resumes for HR people to sort through, and very little time and attention to devote to them.

Your best bet for getting noticed? Getting to the point! A former human resources intern and current Gen-Yer Sara Coppola offers advice on grabbing her attention:

Are You Working Your Dream Job or Still Looking?

cc@happygolegal.com (Chelsea Callanan) — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 23:52:00 -0400

It can be hard to see the bright spots in your day and in your life if you are feeling burned out and unhappy at work. You spend a huge percentage of your life at your desk, with your colleagues, and proving that you are good at what you do. This can be totally draining if you are not in a position that you are excited to go into the office for each day.

I get it. Believe me, I get it. You could be sitting at your desk right now battling feelings of boredom, anxiety, and guilt.

Remember that nothing in this life is set in stone, and that you an intelligent person who has a lot to give to this world. Even if you are not sure how best to make your big contribution.

Yes, I

Where do you want your law firm to be in January 2014?

Even though January 2014 is still more than 14 months away, your firm should already have a reasonably clear idea of the specific, measurable, and realistic business achievements that you want to be celebrating in January 2014.

For firms that operate on a calendar year basis, November should be the month when you finalize - not begin to think about - your business plan for 2013. A good business plan not only describes what you want to achieve, but also how you are going to do it and who is going to be responsible for making it happen. It is more than just

Are You Choosing to Lead?

desiree@greenhornlegal.com (Desiree Moore) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 02:04:00 -0400

In recent months, I have given a lot of thought to the idea of being a leader. One of my favorite Ted.com talks by Dave Meslin touches on this subject beautifully. He argues that society has conditioned us to believe that we must be designated

How to Get Law Journal Work Done Without Losing Your Mind

alison@thegirlsguidetolawschool.com (Alison Monahan) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:29:00 -0400

I'll be honest - I hated Law Review. Every second I spent in the bowels of the law school library searching dusty books for obscure references was time wasted, in my opinion. But, on the upside, I got quite good at getting my cite-checking assignments done quickly!

Here are a few tips for getting your journal work done, without losing your mind:

Know where to draw the line. As a 2L staffer, you're going to get a bunch of s**t work. That's just the way journals work. If you love this sort of thing, and you know you want to be on the editorial board next year, suck it up and do everything that's asked of you. If you don't (and this is just a résumé builder, as it is for many

Rookie Mistakes to Avoid as an Associate: Citing To An Overturned Case

desiree@greenhornlegal.com (Desiree Moore) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 22:24:00 -0400

"In a trademark dispute, I prepared the first draft of a motion based almost entirely on an analogous appellate court decision in our jurisdiction. The partner was ecstatic about the work and filed the motion with few revisions. In the response brief, the opposing party pointed out that the case had been overturned on the very point we were citing it for. This was incredibly embarrassing and, in hindsight, an inexcusable mistake. We lost the motion outright. I was lucky not to lose my job, as well."

How to avoid this disaster:

First let

Can using social media really help you get a legal job or clients?

cc@happygolegal.com (Chelsea Callanan) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 09:26:00 -0400

I am not an expert on social media, but I can share what I have learned and observed.

I first got on Twitter when my assistant at my first firm job said I would be good on it and set me up an account (thanks Morgan) and thus as @CEFIPLaw I began connecting with referral sources, collaborators, current clients, and my wish list of clients, to be part of the conversation. I also set up a LinkedIn profile and began answering questions, asking for and giving recommendations, and posting articles regularly.

I truly enjoy being part of a virtual community, and then reaching out and making live connections for follow-ups. When I leave a networking