The Legal Intelligencer
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Much — perhaps too much — has been written about the skills one needs to obtain a legal job.
The Legal Intelligencer
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Women in the workplace have been a hot topic lately, and yet it is still not an easy subject to broach. Suggesting advice for young women in the legal profession is even harder, considering I am one myself. The legal field seems to be a world of its own at times. However, I do think that we can pick up some helpful cues and pointers from those around us.
The Legal Intelligencer
Thursday, April 25, 2013
My briefcase is broken. It has been broken for several years. I think it broke a few months before I went solo in 2009. One of the two latches does not click to close. I still use it every day.
The Recorder
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Opening statement is one of only three times where you can speak directly to the jury, the other two being jury selection and closing argument. Each of the three has its specific function and your preparation and strategy for each will differ accordingly, but there is no question that many cases are won or lost during opening statement.
The Legal Intelligencer
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Stories are incredibly potent, reaching a place deep in our cultural DNA. When presented with a great story, we simply need to hear it through to the end. As the great writer Neil Gaiman once remarked, nothing speaks more to the power of stories than the plaintive question, "And then what happened?" Stories are very important to the practice of law. Trial lawyers often discuss "telling a story" to the jury, or making sure that the judge sees the case through the lens of our narrative, and not that of our adversary. Our goal should be to make our client's story resonate with the judge and jury on a fundamental level.
The Legal Intelligencer
Thursday, April 4, 2013
New lawyers often overlook their law school alumni organizations as rich networking venues, eschewing them in favor of other professional organizations. Becoming an active and engaged alumnus is an excellent way to add value to your law degree, meet attorneys in a social setting and open doors to leadership and future employment opportunities. This column provides some suggestions for becoming an active alumnus, discuss pathways to leadership roles and highlight the benefits of engaging with your alumni organization.
The Legal Intelligencer
Thursday, March 28, 2013
My first year of practice was filled with apprehension and stress, new situations, some successes, a few failures and numerous lessons learned along the way.
The Legal Intelligencer
Thursday, March 21, 2013
The rite of passage to become an attorney draws to a conclusion when the law school graduate passes the bar in his or her respective jurisdiction(s). At this point, the applicant's bar application is reviewed to ensure that the character and fitness of the applicant is suitable for admission to the bar.
The Legal Intelligencer
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Eager summer and new associates frequently sit across the desk and insist that they intend to work in a particular practice area that is often depicted fictionally and that sounds glamorous. When asked the canned question of "What is the best piece of advice that you can offer me?" I jump at the chance to advise, "Be open to opportunity."
The Legal Intelligencer
Thursday, March 7, 2013
You've graduated law school, passed the bar and are raring and ready to go into practice. Unfortunately, the job market has not been kind to its newest members. Recent statistics show that only about half of new law school graduates have secured full-time legal employment.
The Legal Intelligencer
Thursday, February 28, 2013
So you're finished with law school, you've conquered the bar and, if you're lucky, landed a job in a field of your interest, or just a job, period.
The Legal Intelligencer
Thursday, February 21, 2013
On January 15, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo made national headlines when he signed into law the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013 (the NY SAFE Act).
The Legal Intelligencer
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Most young attorneys understand and appreciate the value of doing pro bono legal work. For many, in a world where billable hours reign supreme, the issue is almost always one of diverting time away from fee-based matters and devoting the necessary amount of time to properly represent those in need. However, when making this calculation, many young attorneys fail to recognize the positive effects doing pro bono work can have on their own careers. If there is any question in your mind as to whether you should commit to a pro bono representation, the immediate tangible benefits you will almost certainly see to your own career growth and development should tip the scales firmly in favor of doing so.
The Legal Intelligencer
Thursday, February 7, 2013
When it comes to bringing business into a firm, perception is everything. A client's perception of you as an attorney will dictate whether or not he or she decides to retain you.
The Legal Intelligencer
Thursday, January 31, 2013
One of the toughest challenges new lawyers face when starting their careers is building a client base and a book of business. While not the first thing on a new lawyer's mind, you can almost be certain that this is the first benchmark the new lawyer's firm will set.