Category: Law Students and Young Lawyers

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Law Students and Young Lawyers

Understanding Crazy

Man lying down, fully dressed.
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According to the fictional Professor Kingsfield in the movie “The Paper Chase,” law students “come in … (to law school) … with a skull full of mush and … leave thinking like a lawyer.”

I have often wondered whether I would have been better off keeping my mushy mind so that I could think like a normal person, but that is a question for another day.

Although law schools teach students to understand and apply legal principles, there is plenty of stuff that they never mention, including the importance of having a rudimentary understanding of psychology.

read more about why lawyers should learn some psychology “Understanding Crazy”
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Law Students and Young Lawyers

The Business Development Question

A woman facing two interviewers. Only her face is visible.
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I speak to a number of newly called lawyers looking to secure a job as an associate.

I tell these applicants that they should  be ready to answer a question about business development.  Here are my tips:

read more about the interview question about business development “The Business Development Question”
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Law Students and Young Lawyers

You Need a Shrink

Man lying down, fully dressed.
Photo by Cottonbro Studio at Pexels.

For years I delegated work to Mindy, who was very competent, productive, generous, and warm.

I never knew when I walked into Mindy’s office to ask her to do something whether she would be her usual lovable self or would bite my head off.

read more about dealing with other people’s stress “You Need a Shrink”
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Law Students and Young Lawyers

Keep it Simple, Start With the Statute, Stupid

Ancient cave.
Photo by Caleb Owens at Pexels.

You may be familiar with the “KISS Principle” attributed to one Kelly Johnson,  a renowned aeronautical engineer at Lockheed Martin.

It turns out that the concept of “Keep It Simple, Stupid” applies whether you are designing aircraft or solving legal issues.

read more about how kiss applies to legal research “Keep it Simple, Start With the Statute, Stupid”
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Law Students and Young Lawyers

I’ll Tell You What He Didn’t Do

The author standing next to his pickup truck.

Those of you who read my stuff from time to time know that when I retired, I moved to the country, bought a pick-up truck, and started listening to country music. One song I like is by Carly Pearce, and it has the following lyrics:

read more about what some partners don’t do for their associates “I’ll Tell You What He Didn’t Do”
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Law Students and Young Lawyers

Career Quiz for Law Students and Young Lawyers

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So you went to Law School and participated in the legal clinic at the Fasken Building at University of Toronto or won a scholarship from Davies at Osgoode Hall.  Somehow you were given the impression by your Law School experience that if you did not get yourself hired by a Big Law firm (“BL”), you  would be a second-rate lawyer.

Although critical thinkers at Law School should have warned you about the Golden Rule, (“he who has the gold makes the rules”) and its corollary (“follow the money to find the guilty,”) you may have missed that lesson and ended up believing that bigger is better.

read more about whether Bigger Is Better for you “Career Quiz for Law Students and Young Lawyers”
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Law Students and Young Lawyers

Living in Different Worlds

The Milky Way.
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I believe that lawyers should not compete based on price. I tell this to my mentees, and sometimes the response is, “that is easy for you to say from a cruise ship in the Pacific. I’m struggling to get files in the door and pay my rent.”

I also think that new lawyers should avoid practicing in areas that have become commodities and are particularly fee sensitive, such as residential real estate. My young friends tell me that they have to get cash in the door and that doing some real estate files is the best way to do it.

read more about the Financial pressures on young lawyers “Living in Different Worlds”
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Law Students and Young Lawyers

Show Me the Money

Woman sitting at desk with dollar bills on the desk and in the air.
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko at Pexels.

“Youth is always impatient, even though, ironically, youth alone has time for patience.”

Lucilla Andrews

In my new pastime as a cynical commentator on aspects of the legal profession which I whole-heartedly embraced and profited from for many years, I speak to quite a few folks at the early stages of their careers. I try to think back to when I shared their enthusiasm and optimism, but frankly it was way too long ago.

read more about choosing jobs based on salary “Show Me the Money”
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Law Students and Young Lawyers

That’s A Little Bit Too Thinky For Me

Man at a desk looking at his computer, and surrounded by books.
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko at Pexels.

A young lawyer asked me for advice. He was contemplating making a jump from Big Law to a smaller firm, for the usual reason that he wanted to work less and enjoy life more. I was not completely sure that it was the right move for him.

read more about how different personality types fit into the legal profession “That’s A Little Bit Too Thinky For Me”
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Law Students and Young Lawyers

Bad and Worse Advice for Law Firm Associates

An older professional woman speaking to a younger woman who appears to be frustrated with what she is being told.
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“Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time.” Chinese proverb

The Chinese were on to something. We all make the mistake of teaching things to younger generations based on our own experience. Here is some of the bad advice that I gave to my Associates:

read more about the bad advice that i gave associates “Bad and Worse Advice for Law Firm Associates”