Devina

What I wish someone would have told me as a young lawyer just starting out:

1️⃣ If you are the most junior person on the meeting, YOU are the note taker

Bring a notepad and pen or your laptop and get the file note ready because it is your responsibility to document the conversation. Even if your boss doesn’t request a file note (or want to see it), having a contemporaneous record of the meeting will serve you in the future when working on the matter.

2️⃣ Get in the weeds of your matters

As a junior, you don’t always have autonomy over your work and you may start off working on ad hoc tasks as opposed to seeing matters through from start to finish. Regardless, if you are able to invest the time to understand how your work fits into the matter as a whole, you will become a valuable asset of the team. Think of yourself as the “go-to” person for the nitty gritty information that will not be at the top of everyone’s heads (eg court dates, evidence deadlines, client contacts).

3️⃣ Be proactive in seeking mentorship

Seek out senior colleagues whose work and conduct you deeply admire and wish to emulate, and lean on them for their advice and insight. I have sought the advice and friendship of senior associates in my team who I am constantly learning from and can be a soundboard when I need input from someone above my level.

4️⃣ Make friends at work

Once you are working full time, you likely are going to be spending more time with your colleagues than your friends, partner or family (so you may as well make it enjoyable). Surround yourself with colleagues who have common interests, set lunch dates, coffee catch ups - anything to alleviate the typical pressures and stressors of work. It can make coming into the office just that little bit more pleasant.

#juniorlawyer #corporatelife #careergrowth #lawtok #womeninlaw