Getting PAST the Bar

Congratulations, new lawyer! You’ve passed the bar exam and are ready to embark on your legal career. Perhaps you have a clerkship or associate position lined up! But now what? 

If you finished law school, hard work is an all-too-familiar concept. You may be excited to finally be welcomed into a practice area you have dreamed about since you were an ambitious, school-loving child watching Law & Order and participating actively on the debate team. More likely, though, you accepted a job you determined was interesting enough to make money until you figured out what area of law might interest you. That is ok! It can take time to identify the types of law you are drawn to (or those you don’t prefer, for that matter). The good thing is that regardless of where you’re headed, you can learn at every stage of this process as you transition into your practice. 

The shift from law student to practicing attorney is more than a title change. It requires a complete adjustment in your mindset, expectations, and how your success is measured by yourself and others. The experience and success you achieve are dictated by a series of choices you will make in the coming years.  

In law school, you were presented with a limited catalog of classes, opportunities for membership in a selection of student organizations, and chances to represent your school in their available extracurriculars. The legal community, however, presents nearly limitless opportunities for your participation in any number of things you may be passionate about or take interest in. Whether you’ve been practicing for one month or one decade, you will benefit from prioritizing learning from anyone, and I mean anyone, who is willing to take the time to teach you.  

Consider the types of people you choose to spend your time with. With your new lawyer role, your time has become more valuable—you will need to be more thoughtful about where your energy is dedicated when you are not in the office. The people, lawyers and non-lawyers you surround yourself with will inform your practice approach, help you identify the boundaries to set for yourself, and provide networking opportunities, referrals, and new perspectives in your practice. You’ve all heard the common, albeit critical advice: Find a mentor. Sit on calls with your superiors. Go to bar association events. Ask to attend client functions. Volunteer for new assignments. Accept constructive feedback. Attend firm functions. Observe court. Read everything. The common thread to everything here? Learning. You will learn by participating.  

Any element of forced participation in law school activities is mainly absent now. While I have been fortunate to have so many thoughtful professors, mentors, and colleagues who have taught me so well, I know the success I have earned is essentially a product of my being proactive in my education at all stages of my practice over the last ten years. No one is going to make you a good lawyer other than you. No one can tell you what a “good lawyer” looks like—you now have the benefit and privilege of determining for yourself. 

Remember that only some advice you receive will be good, and only some opportunities you accept will materialize into something revolutionary. You might find that you respect another lawyer’s approach but do not choose to implement that approach into your practice. You may abandon something you accepted as accurate for years once you learn something different. While it might seem impossible today, you will find yourself learning something worth sharing and giving someone else advice in the not-so-distant future.  

Even if you think you’re not “ready,” you are. You are here! Welcome to the bar.  

This monthly article series will illuminate the unspoken challenges and oft-overlooked aspects of navigating a successful legal career. Each installment will identify practice tips and answer questions you might not otherwise know to ask. If you have topics of interest or wish to contribute to this series, please get in touch with Corinne at comiller@childsmccune.com.