The Law School Graduate's 5-Step Guide To Prosperity

This spring, I attended my sister’s medical school graduation.  The commencement speaker, a Holocaust survivor and great philanthropist, shared his incredible life story and some of the key lessons he learned along the way.

At the close of his presentation, he revealed a recipe for prosperity.  “Prosperity,” he said, “is the result of four things: patience, perseverance, positivity, and productivity.  And that’s it.” 

As he closed the commencement ceremony, and wished the medical students well on their journey into residency and their medical practice, I couldn’t help but think of this year’s law school graduates, and how this simple recipe would come in handy as these graduates transition from law school into legal practice. 

1.     Patience

Patience is a virtue, certainly.  But it’s more than that.  It’s a tool.  A coping mechanism.  Before anything is going our way, it is not.  Before things feel like they have fallen into place, they are out of place.  Patience is one of the key skills we can employ to help us move forward. 

Patience will serve you, above all, in the job search after law school.  It is nearly impossible to identify, in advance, your ideal job or career path.  We all have notions about what our ideal job might be, but we cannot be certain until we are in it.  In the interim, it is important to be patient and mindful about the process. 

Seek out and attend as many networking functions as possible.  Be open to every potential opportunity that is presented to you.  Never turn down a job interview, even if it is for a job you believe you do not want.  The more patient you are, the more avenues you pursue, the more likely you will be to find what you are looking for.  (And, once you do find a job, you will have to employ patience, as well.  Practicing law in any capacity presents myriad substantive and interpersonal challenges – there is an adjustment period, to be sure.  Stick with it.  Give it a chance.  Be open to the learning and networking opportunities that come from that first job, even if the job itself is ultimately not the perfect fit.)

2.     Perseverance

More than any of the other “P’s” on our list, your perseverance goes directly to who you are.  Your resolve and determination, in both trying times and in good times, will speak volumes about your character, and about the kind of practitioner you will be.  There is little more to say here, other than to encourage you to actively persevere.  To be dedicated.  To stick with things.  To follow through.  The last one standing typically gets what he or she set out for.    

3.     Positivity

Maintaining a positive attitude will always serve you.  During the job search, and in every stage thereafter, harboring negativity will only cause you to project negativity and attractive negative circumstances. 

As a rule, others choose to be around people who are positive, enthusiastic, and uplifting.  Potential employers and clients, specifically, will be more inspired to hire you and work with you if you are an upbeat, positive person.  If you are tempted by a negative or pessimistic attitude, shift your focus to specific things that are positive in your life.  Write those things down and think of ways to actively nurture them.  Take your mind off of what appears negative.  In time, you will see even those things in a positive light.     

4.     Productivity

Whether you presently have a job or not, whether you will eventually work in a law firm or as a government employee or in-house or otherwise, there is no substitute for dedicated hard work.  As an attorney, you will have to demonstrate to your colleagues and clients again and again that, when the circumstances call for it, you are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.  On top of your hard work, you will have to demonstrate that you do good quality work and that you get work done quickly.  The more productive you are in a legal practice environment, the more valuable you are and the more valued you will be.         

5.     Prosperity

Prosperity, according to the commencement ceremony speaker, is the end goal.  The pinnacle.  I can’t disagree.  We all want to prosper, to be prosperous.  But what is most important, here, I believe, is to think deeply about your own definition of prosperity.  What does prosperity look like to you?  What professional and personal milestones will you have to meet in order to feel prosperous?  How will you meet these?  When you can answer these questions, with patience, perseverance, positivity, and productivity at your back, no matter where you are in your life, you will be well on your way.

Desiree Moore is the President and founder of Greenhorn Legal, LLC. Greenhorn Legal offers practical skills training programs for law students and new lawyers as they transition from law school into their legal practices. Ms. Moore is also an adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago School of Law and was an associate at the law firm of K&L Gates. She can be found on Twitter at @greenhornlegal.