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7 Things You Need To Know As A First-Year Attorney

Remember that time you thought law school prepared you to practice law? About that...

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First, this is not an article bashing law schools. Today, most law schools offer students a range of opportunities to gain exposure to the practice of law. Many schools have robust experiential learning programs that include internships, externships, clinics, and more. Also, students need to be proactive about getting everything they can out of law school by researching these opportunities and taking advantage of them. However, no amount of interning prepares you for what it is like the first time you are personally responsible for an important part of someone else’s life. Here are a few things I learned during my first year of practice:

  1. You are going to feel insecure all the time.

And that is okay, because you actually don’t know anything, and you have a lot of responsibility. The first time this occurred to me, I was taking the statement of a twelve-year-old asylum seeker who had been sexually abused by a family member. I realized I was the only thing standing between her and having to return to live with her abuser.

After the meeting was over, realizing I was in way over my head, I promptly went into the bathroom and threw up (true story). I researched, consulted with colleagues, researched again, lost many hours of sleep, cried a bit, researched some more, and finally called my supervisor for advice. At first, I was hesitant to do this, because I didn’t want to seem like I didn’t know what I was doing. Hence, the massive amounts of research. However, I was still not sure I was going down the right path and knew I needed the counsel of someone who had actually done this before. My supervisor helped me tweak my game plan, and I quickly returned to my research, cry, and repeat cycle.

I cannot overemphasize how important it is for you to know what you don’t know and to not be afraid to ask questions. It is better to risk sounding stupid than to jeopardize your client’s case or your career.

  1. Substance over form.

I have a vivid memory of writing a brief with wet, hot tears rolling down my cheeks as I tried to remember whether a period should be italicized or not. As it turned out, these things did not matter much in immigration court, or from what I hear, most courts, and I had wasted my time and energy stressing out about nothing. Now, in some courts and law firms, form matters more. However, it has been my experience that the actual substance of what you write is the most important thing.

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I’m not saying to throw caution (and grammar) to the wind. Be diligent and thoughtful about how you present information. I’m merely suggesting that if you are taking an actual ruler out to measure your margins, you may be expending your energy on the wrong things.

  1. Mentors are everything.

I’m a firm believer that everyone needs a mentor (and a therapist but we can talk about that another time).  When I think of a mentor, I think of someone who has been where I am and come out successful on the other side. I also think of someone who is patient and generous with his or her time.

Mentors come in all ages and genders, and work in all areas of law. Personally, I have found a lot of success with mentors who are just a few steps ahead of where I am. I find that we are able to relate to each other both personally and professionally. That is not to say that a 20-year veteran would not make a great mentor. The best way to form these relationships is to get out and meet people. Join your local bar associations, head to alumni events, and don’t be afraid to network!

  1. Legal assistants and paralegals should be your best friends.

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They know all the stuff that even the senior attorneys don’t know, because they are given all the work. They are not only knowledgeable about the inner workings and politics of the office, but often have the scoop on who to talk to when you need something in court.  They know what mistakes need to be brought to the senior attorney’s attention immediately and what mistakes can be resolved with a quick fix.  They typically can direct you to good examples of memos, motions, or appeals you may need to draft.  They are a plethora of information and are usually happy to help.

Frequently, they are overworked and under appreciated. Don’t ruin these valuable relationships because you are the “lawyer” and you “know better.” First, that is probably not true. Second, in many instances the paralegal has been in the legal profession longer than you have been alive, so show some respect. Caution: don’t be nice to them just because they can help you; be nice to them because you aren’t a jerk.

  1. You’re going to be poor for a while longer.

I’ve previously shared with you my delusion that I would be making tons of money right out of law school and how woefully wrong I was. The fact is that, with few exceptions, you will be working long hours, for not much money. Also, if you have them, your student loans will be going into repayment. It can feel pretty demoralizing to finally be out of school, have some free time, and lack money to spend on fun stuff.

The good news is, eventually it gets better. You gain more seniority, make more money, and get a semblance of a life back. Or at least that is what I have been told. I’m still waiting to turn the corner on this one.

  1. No one is going to set boundaries for you.

This is a big one. As a first-year lawyer, you are at the bottom of the food chain. You may feel the pressure to say “yes” to everything all the time. However, it is important to know when to say no because saying yes to everything will cause you to burn out. And, not to sound totally pessimistic, no one, except a good mentor, is looking out for you in this regard. Generally, if you are willing to give your time and energy, they are willing to take it. You have to make sure you are monitoring the situation and acting in a way that is mentally and emotionally healthy for you.

On a related note, take time off. Remember, this is your job, not your life.

  1. You are going to have swallow your pride.

Speaking of being at the bottom of the food chain. As a new attorney, you may experience a perceived, or actual, lack of respect. You’ve been trained to argue, so it can be difficult to be quiet or let things go when you feel wronged. Now, you shouldn’t let people blatantly disrespect you or walk all over you. However, you are really new at everything and your boss, colleagues, or the judge may treat you differently as a result. Instead of immediately becoming defensive about things, I recommend you look at each interaction as a learning experience. Become introspective and see if there is anything productive for you to take away, even if it is just learning how not to act. Also, as you advance in your career, remember the ways people treated you that you didn’t like, and don’t repeat them.

While some of this may sound scary, I actually loved my first year as a lawyer. It was exciting to finally be out there in the real world. I enjoyed representing clients and making creative arguments. I got to comfort and reassure scared clients and had the opportunity to try (and win!) my first case. Your first year out of law school is a perfect little metaphor for life. Sometimes it really sucks, and sometimes it couldn’t possibly be any better. Enjoy the ride.

Kerriann Stout is a millennial law school professor and founder of Vinco (a bar exam coaching company) who is generationally trapped between her students and colleagues. Kerriann has helped hundreds of students survive law school and the bar exam with less stress and more confidence. She lives, works, and writes in the northeast. You can reach her by email at info@vincoprep.com.

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