The old adage that “you only get one chance to make a first impression” holds especially true for young lawyers starting out at a law firm. While there are many attributes that make a good lawyer, strong written communication skills can put a junior associate on the fast-track to success.
So why is legal writing such an important skill for a first-year associate to have or quickly develop? Put simply, no matter how brilliant a first-year associate may be, he or she is unlikely to be arguing a high-stakes litigation matter or structuring a significant financing deal upon arriving at a law firm. Rather, a junior associate will often be asked to gather information (i.e., the results of a research assignment) and to convey that information to a senior attorney. This will usually require some form of a written work product, such as a research memorandum, due diligence report, talking-points summary or draft email or letter. Exceptional legal writing is the fastest way for a junior associate to gain the trust and confidence of a senior attorney. This in turn will often lead to the junior attorney securing better assignments, gaining better experience and getting increased exposure to senior attorneys, all of which can accelerate a junior attorney’s development and personal growth within a law firm.
Early Impressions Are Important
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