October has been busy! I’ve had the best time presenting How to Thrive as a New Associate trainings for Chapman and Cutler, Sterne Kessler, Ford Harrison and Pryor Cashman.
Helping talented recent law grads transition from high-achieving students to client-focused, proactive attorneys is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.
As these newly minted lawyers launch their careers, I love sharing actionable advice, including:
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Be responsive. Acknowledge emails or requests promptly—don’t wait until you have the full answer to reply.
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Be proactive. Seek out opportunities to be helpful and volunteer to take the first stab at a project, draft of a memo or take notes at the meeting.
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Build strong time management habits by eliminating distractions and creating focused time for important work.
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Ask questions. You’re not expected to know everything. Asking early saves time and builds trust.
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Be client focused. You’re in a client service profession. Your job is to make your internal and external clients’ lives easier.
The goal of this Thrive training is to equip new associates with the habits and mindset needed to succeed from the start. Things they need to know, but are not taught in law school:
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How to avoid the 5 biggest mistakes new associates frequently make
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Specific tips for communicating effectively with partners in a hybrid environment
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Strategies for overcoming perfectionism, overthinking, and procrastination
A big thank you to my wonderful clients for investing in their newest talent!
What advice do have for new associates so they can be great contributors?