Junior transactional attorneys often bemoan that “law school does not prepare you for practice,” asserting a bias, correctly or incorrectly, for litigation above all else in its curriculum. As a result, it is not uncommon for these same fledgling associates to often feel lost when they first land at a firm. As the first lawyer in my family, my only understanding of the legal profession was through law school, summer internships, and TV’s “Law and Order,” so I get it. Culture shock smacked me hard when I started in my transactional practice. Between learning what due diligence entails, figuring out commonly used financial jargon, and the other daily intricacies of the job, I seriously questioned what I had gotten myself into—and why my job felt so different than law school. But slowly, I began to find my footing as a transactional attorney, through trial, error, and plenty of help from those who already walked this path. Since they were so sage and generous, I am paying it forward with my Cliffs Notes of those insightful conversations, tips that helped me acclimate to transactional law.

Be Enthusiastic

As a junior transactional associate, you are taught to always be pushing the deal forward. However, knowing what pushing a deal forward entails and understanding the nuances of a deal, like anything else, takes time and practice. But the enthusiasm with which you interact with more senior members on your deal team can allow you to add instant value, as your enthusiasm is not only infectious but also indicates to others that you are willing to help lighten their workload.