A Survival Guide for New Lawyers

After over 30 years of teaching and mentoring new lawyers (including my own kids), I’ve compiled some suggestions for success in the practice. This list includes some of the highlights of my tips for building superstars of the bar.

1. Be humble. Many recent law school graduates have an inflated opinion of their knowledge and value. My former boss and mentor, Susan Loggans, referred to this as “young lawyer disease.” I’ll let you in on something…you ain't that good. There’s a reason we call it the “practice” of law. Few are so gifted that they get it out of the blocks. Passing the bar is the beginning of your journey, not the end of it, so be humble and learn the art and science of the practice before you even think about crowing.

2. Listen more than you speak. On a related note, listen more than you speak. We all love the melodiousness of our own voice, but there’s a time to talk and a time to listen. During the early years of your practice, spend more time listening rather than yapping. Observe and process the experiences as they unfold. Look for patterns and insights. Study the habits and performance of accomplished lawyers in the courthouse. This is all hard to do when you are focusing on the next thing out of your mouth.

3. Keep a journal. Keep a practice journal to learn from your mistakes and celebrate your victories. To this day, I keep a “Things I’ve Learned” Evernote page where I log events to remember. As Aristotle observed, “Excellence is not an act but a habit.” Self-improvement will come from paying attention and critical thinking. A practice journal is a great lifelong resource to enhance that process.

4. Screwing up is normal. Don’t be afraid of taking intelligent risks. Screwing up is part of the process. Your skills and value derive from hard work and experience. It’s the bloody noses that teach you. If your caution leaves you paralyzed, you’ll never evolve as a practitioner. Sometimes you just need to jump into the deep end and swim away. Trust yourself!

5. Don't bury your mistakes. In relation to the past comment, you will screw up. Don’t try to hide it. Go to your boss, or if you’re alone, find a mentor to confide in so you can figure out a way to address the problem. I’ve often told my associates that there’s no problem we can’t fix, but only if I know about it. When you shine the light on most mistakes, they’re not as fatal as your catastrophic thinking makes them out to be.

6. There’s no substitute for hard work. There are no shortcuts in this business. The foundation of success is diligence. Your aim is to be the most knowledgeable lawyer in the courtroom. TV lawyers make lawyering sexy and easy, but the reality involves the drudgery of preparation. I love the quote by the great 20th century trial lawyer Louis Nizer. When asked about luck in the practice, he responded that indeed there is an element of luck, and that he found it at 3:00 am in the law library. Work your ass off to be the best.

7. Dress for success. Like it or not, people judge you based on your appearance. My late father, David Peskind, often said that “your clients have no idea about how skilled you are, but if you show up on time, with your suit pressed and your shoes shined, they’ll think you’re Clarence Darrow.” Invest in a professional wardrobe. It’s one of the best investments a young (or any) lawyer can make. When you look sharp, you feel sharp, and will perform accordingly.

8. Write it down. You’ll have enough problems outside of your control. So why create more? Confirm everything in writing with clients and your opposing counsel. Confirm delegated tasks and expectations from the superiors at your firm. Keep track of your time contemporaneously as you perform a task. This not only accurately captures your efforts, but it also serves as a log that may support a defense in the event of a future client grievance.

9. Be professional. I’ve noticed a recent trend of unprofessionalism in the practice. I’m not certain as to the cultural cause, although I suspect it trickles down from our political leaders' immature behavior. But regardless, you have a whole career ahead of you. Why burn bridges acting like a brat? It's unprofessional and erodes your gravitas as a serious lawyer. You’re an adult now; Act like one. Be courteous and respectful.

10. Keep perspective. This is not your war; it's your job. Don’t personalize your cases. It will drive you nuts and lead to an early departure from the profession. We all have tendencies in this regard. Fight them. For the sake of your health and your sanity, remind yourself daily, “This is not my life.” Lighten up.

My kids sometimes tease me about being a cultural dinosaur, but these principles are timeless. It all comes down to professionalism, which encompasses honesty, humility, and hard work. Those skills will never go out of style!