5 Quick Tips for a Successful Legal Career

Desiree Moore is President and founder of Greenhorn Legal, LLC.which offers practical skills training programs for law students. She is a "blogger in residence" (so happy she is!) for Law School: Success and Careers. Check out her initial post, The Law School Graduate's 5 Step Guide to Prosperity http://lawschoolsuccessandcareers.blogspot.com/20/law-school-graduates-5-step-guide-to.html  I'm happy to post her latest blog article on the very day that she has announced the release of her new book, Thrive: A New Lawyer's Guide to Law Firm Practice!  Her blog spot here talks of the mental commitment a new lawyer needs in setting out in his/her legal career. She speaks of setting concrete goals. These goals are often tested and I would only add that young lawyers needs the discipline to stick to their goals (with some flexibility, of course), no matter how much sacrifice is needed. 

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 In my new book, Thrive – A New Lawyer’s Guide To Law Firm Practice (American Bar Association, 2012), I take an in-depth look at all of the things you can do as a new lawyer to build a successful legal career from day one. Among other things, your mindset, professionalism, time management and organizational skills, and ability to work well with staff and other attorneys will contribute to your success in the early years of your career. You can be sure that the practice of law is nuanced and, in your early years in particular, there is a lot to learn. Still, there are some foundational skills you can employ right away that will ensure success and position you to be a leader in your practice down the line. Better yet, these foundational skills are not complicated. Whether you are joining a large, mid-sized, small law firm or government agency as a new lawyer, here are 5 quick tips for ensuring a successful legal career from day one:


1. Get in the Proper Frame of Mind

No matter where you find yourself after law school, your mindset will dictate your success. To get in the proper frame of mind, above all, you will want to make a decided mental commitment to your career. You must be committed to the idea of being the best lawyer you can be, as well as dedicated to the present moment. Being in the proper frame of mind also requires that you set concrete, written goals for your practice. Setting goals reminds us that our careers and the direction of our careers belong to us and us alone. Setting goals motivates us, too, and keeps us inspired when times are otherwise tough. Finally, in furtherance of your mindset, you will want to maintain perspective. The practice of law is incredibly respectable and your job is an important one. Still, it should not be the only thing of value in your life. Take pride in being an attorney. But revel in things outside of work, as well.

2. Take a Holistic Approach to Your Work 

Early in your career, the learning curve is steep. You are likely not adept at all of the substantive skills your practice requires. Still, you can put forth effort to get involved in your work so that, over time, you become an integral member of your team. As you work on assignments, think holistically. Instead of completing one discreet project after another, become involved and invested in your cases as a whole. Follow up on work you have done. Follow up on the status of the case or deal. Volunteer to take on additional work. This way, you are not only demonstrating interest in the work you are doing, you are building relationships with your colleagues. These efforts will ensure your success and longevity in your practice.

3. Become Involved in Your Firm or Office

As I tell new lawyers all the time, if you ran your own business, you would likely know every last detail about the way the business was structured. Knowing this information minimizes risk, maximizes profit, and increases productivity, among other things. You should approach your career in a similar manner. Learn how your firm or office is structured. Understand your position within that structure, and how to move your career forward. In your time there – whether it is six months or sixty years  approach your work every day as though you are an owner in the business. And one day you will be.

4. Market Your Practice

It is never too early to market your practice. More importantly, you should never feel that you are not in a position to market your practice. Whether you work for a large law firm or the state’s attorney’s office, you can never be sure where your career is headed 5, 10, or 15 years down the line. Marketing yourself and your practice ensures that when the time comes, you have potential clients and employers at your fingertips. Marketing your practice happens both inside and outside of the office. Within the office, you want to do good work for anyone and everyone you work with. This will ensure good reviews and good relationships if and when the time comes that you need a recommendation. Keeping up with legal news is also a good way to market yourself. If you can demonstrate that you are conversant in a recent Supreme Court decision or an amendment to a statute that is relevant to your practice, your colleagues will be duly impressed. Outside of the office, you should constantly work to build your book of contacts. Collect business cards from – and give business cards to – everyone you meet. Input information about the people you meet in your contacts management system and find reasons to reach out from time to time. It is also a good idea to become involved in your local bar associations, attend alumni networking events, and stay in touch with your friends outside of the law. All of these efforts, over time, will amount to a decent start in transitioning into a new job or building a book of business when you need it.

 5. Take Care of Yourself

In the early years of your practice, it is tempting to focus exclusively on work and compromise fundamental aspects of life outside of work, including basic health and wellness. While hard work and dedication are admirable – and indeed required of legal professionals – maintaining good health is essential, too. Without it, being a top practitioner, or even meeting minimum expectations in your practice, will be difficult, if not impossible. Throughout your career, even when times are busy, you should be thinking about ways to manage your own health and wellness. Your efforts do not have to be colossal (instead of training for a marathon, you might consider a brisk walk during lunch time) but they should be apparent (to you, anyway). Seek out projects, relationships, and diversions outside of work that keep you healthy and happy. Make time daily to restore the depletion that inevitably comes when we dedicate ourselves to our work. Whatever activities you find enjoyable, includes these in your daily routine, just as you include work in your daily routine. Your work, and your life, will be better for it.

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Desiree Moore is the President and founder of Greenhorn Legal, LLC. Greenhorn Legal offers intensive practical skills training programs for law students and new lawyers as they transition from law school into their legal practices. Ms. Moore is the author of the new book, Thrive – A New Lawyer’s Guide to Law Firm Practice, published by the American Bar Association. Pick up a copy here! She can be reached via email at desiree@greenhornlegal.com or on Twitter at @greenhornlegal.