5 Things To Remember As A New Law School Graduate

Here are five suggestions for graduates to use as they navigate the next decade-plus of their careers.

Michael Allen

Michael Allen

Ed. note: This is the latest installment in a series of posts from Lateral Link’s team of expert contributors. Michael Allen is Managing Principal at Lateral Link, focusing exclusively on partner placements with Am Law 200 clients and placements for in-house attorneys.

It’s been a little over a decade since I stood on the steps of Langdell Hall as a newly minted Harvard Law School graduate. Along with 500 of my classmates, I naturally assumed we would launch our careers, rise through the ranks, and then make partner — all at the same firm where we started. Little did I realize that the path to success is not a linear one, but rather a series of well-intentioned moves in a complex landscape where legal expertise is only one facet.

Here are my suggestions for graduates to use as they navigate the next decade-plus of their careers:

  1. Remember Your Roots. Your family, friends, and professors have been championing your success along the way, and they will bring future value to your career — professionally and personally. Always remember the help you received, and strive to give back to others without expectation. At the time of graduation, I did not realize how large a role these relationships would play in my life, but the connections you make and keep in law school are probably the most important ones you will have in your career.
  2. Stay Committed. Perhaps the most apt metaphor I’ve heard to describe a Biglaw career is that it is akin to climbing a mountain. It is a constant uphill battle that becomes steeper the higher up you climb. While attempting to climb the ranks in Biglaw, you will be outpaced by your coworkers if you fail to recognize that steady endurance and constant commitment are the keys to success. Our clients measure attorneys based on their future expected performance, and will tend to look at only the past six months as a barometer. Try to maintain an even pace that allows you to hit both the quantity and quality requisites for working in Biglaw.
  3. Death of a Salesman. Young lawyers often think of sales and marketing as ignoble, and would rather devote their time strictly to the practice of the law. While an endearing sentiment, the reality is that any partner worth his salt has developed sales prowess. In my dealings with rainmakers, the one thing they all possess is the ability to communicate with clarity and authenticity. It takes a track record of expertise to get in front of a client, but once you’re in, you have to close the deal. Look for partners with a demonstrated record of procuring large clients and see if they are willing to mentor you in the art of sales.
  4. Write It Down. If you decide to run a marathon and don’t break down the components, such as when to start practicing, how many miles you should run each practice, and in how much time, your goal is more wishful thinking than an achievable result. If you want to make partner at a major Am Law firm, or work your way up to General Counsel, you need a plan. Write it down. Fill in the years, achievements, and any other details you can think of to meet your goal. Refer back to it constantly.
  5. Always Explore Your Options. The days of the lifer attorney are pretty much over. Staying with one firm for eight years in hopes of becoming a partner won’t boost your chances as much as you might hope. In making your career plan, remember that there are always opportunities for more substantial work, higher pay, and better mentorship. It never hurts to be aware of your career options and check in on the marketplace from time to time. Worst-case scenario, you stay at your firm if the current opportunities are not quite the right fit.

As you embark on your law careers, remember there is no singular piece of advice that will fit every attorney. Much of your career will be reacting to new information with little notice. We counsel our candidates based on each individual’s current situation and goals, and we invite you to explore your options with us.


Lateral Link is one of the top-rated international legal recruiting firms. With over 14 offices world-wide, Lateral Link specializes in placing attorneys at the most prestigious law firms and companies in the world. Managed by former practicing attorneys from top law schools, Lateral Link has a tradition of hiring lawyers to execute the lateral leaps of practicing attorneys. Click ::here:: to find out more about us.