Here’s What Not to Do on Your First Day as a Lawyer

You just nailed the perfect position and it’s day one, but you’re not really sure what the etiquette is, so naturally you’re nervous and likely don’t know where to start. As part of our Law School & Careers series, Lawyer Monthly hears from experts across the world about key questions and considerations in the legal sphere. Today we hear from Andrea Hall, Founder and Principle of US based The Hall Law Office, LLC, on the crucial steps to take when you first walk in to your new job as a lawyer.

This can be a very exciting time as you just spent the last three years in school, studied hard to pass the bar and you are now a licensed attorney. You know the feeling all your hard work has finally paid off. Unfortunately, you are a student once again. You will have to start the learning process all over again. Take what you learned in school yet be open to things being totally different. Come to your new location with an open mind and ready to listen to what is being presented.

Coming into a new firm right out of law school is very exciting. Yet know that everything you learned in law school will more than likely go out the door. Law school doesn’t necessarily give you the tools for the everyday processes of a law firm. Things like meeting with a client for the first time, what information is gathered at the intake of the client, how to sell the client on you and your firm being the best fit and closing the deal. Be willing to start the coffee maker and make copies things you didn’t technically go to school for those things are not beneath you. Remember that you are no better than the janitor who cleans up after you. You both put your pants on the same way everyday one leg at a time.

The most important thing I can tell you is that your secretary and the court clerks will be your best friend and you need to treat them as your best friend. Create the best relationship you can with them. You might have a law license yet those people will either make or break your life as a lawyer. Your secretary will do things for you when you are in a pinch, they will talk your client off the cliff when you are too busy or just no longer able to deal with the client. The court clerk will bend over backwards for you if they like you. When you have an emergency motion that needs to be addressed your file will get moved to the top of the pile. When you need a continuance, they will go to bat for you and will help you when you are in a bind. This is the first thing I was told and I will never forget it.

Learn and watch everything you can. Follow all the lawyers around and watch what they do and say. Ask questions and be curious about why the lawyers do the things they do. Take notes, read the statues and on your down time re-read the rules of civil or criminal procedure and the rules of evidence. If you want to be a trial lawyer those rules will make you great one day and when you get busy you won’t have the time yet now before your career is starting to take off you will have the time.

Relax and know you will make mistakes it is ok. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Practice makes perfect. It takes 10,000 hours to be a master at something enjoy the journey and be prepared to be a student for a while.