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Perhaps like many of you, I went through law school planning to work at a law firm post-graduation. However, the closer it came to graduation, the more unsettled I felt about it. I felt the stress, long hours, and pressure weren’t conducive to my personality and the level of work-life
As “lawyer-types,” it is natural for us to be risk-averse, but take a chance – learn as much as you can from those who have come before you
I wish I had been more thoughtful about my legal career. When I started my legal career, like many new law firm associates, I did not fully appreciate what it meant to be a law firm associate nor did I have a plan for being successful. After practicing for several
A career as a lawyer can be rewarding but also challenging. While law school teaches you how to analyze the substantive law, other skills are just as critical to your success. Learn these skills in this webinar, "Thriving as a Junior Lawyer: Practical Advice from the Experts." Thomson
If you are reading this article you either read Part One or skipped to this part because the summer is over and you are in the grind. Regardless of how we got here, congrats on going to law school! For ease of understanding, I am going to break first semester
It is your first day as a new associate. You walk into the office nervous but feel that you are somewhat prepared. You sit down at your desk and open your computer. You have a sense of what an attorney does behind the screen. You have worked with Westlaw, you
Your qualifications have caught an employer’s attention. Now you have to convince the employer that you are the candidate that best fits the organization’s needs. Presenters of this webinar, "Interviewing: Becoming an Irresistible Candidate", discuss interviewing techniques: how to prepare, make a positive first impression, and present with confidence. The panelists
In this article, I examine both my own experience in landing an in-house legal job right out of law school, as well as the insights of a fellow in-house young lawyer and an experienced executive at a national healthcare services company. I believe it’s possible for first-year attorneys to find
Q: How in-depth should our research be into each law firm outside of knowing its general practice areas and those of the interviewer? A: I’m glad you’re thinking ahead! Preparation for the interview is critical for success and one of the easiest ways you can distinguish yourself from other job candidates
The practice of law is not known for being particularly portable or forgiving of taking “time off” from one’s career. But, for the future of our noble profession, I hope those things are changing. And I believe that they are. For example, as an increasing number of states adopt the
The ABA Standing Committee on Law and National Security is partnering with Mark Zaid to offer a sneak peek at the clearance process on Feb. 28.
A Congressional staffer shares his story and offers suggestions on how to build a satisfying career in public service.
Lawyers across the country are using their law degree in ways they never expected - it's called the JD Advantage. Here are tips on how you can, too.
Attorney John Hardin “Jack” Young was on the team of lawyers for the Democratic National Committee during the 2000 Florida election recount and the Bush v. Gore case, and is portrayed in the HBO film “Recount.” In this Career Choice Series webinar, Young discussed current election issues in our
Slip and fall injuries are very common legal issues, and often very complex. Premises law is a complicated legal area when the basics of a personal injury case are being established. Just as in an auto accident, there are often competing versions of events, especially when the defendant is a business
Hiring managers and partners across the country offer their best tips for avoiding these mistakes they still see way too often.
In this episode of the ABA Law Student Podcast, host Sandy Gallant-Jones talks with Above the Law Editor Joe Patrice, CuroLegal CEO Chad Burton, LegalZoom General Counsel Chas Rampenthal, Clio Lawyer in Residence Joshua Lenon, and Legal Talk Network Executive Producer Laurence Colletti about alternative careers in law. Joe opens the
Are you sold on a career in real estate? Hear how to become a successful commercial real estate attorney. Our speakers will share their path into commercial real estate transactions, financing, leasing, acquisitions, and distressed real estate. They'll provide invaluable insight into what skills you'll need to break into this area,
A deeper dive into the data from the Money Matters: 2016 Millennial Lawyer Survey Results reveals the answers to this questions about careers in the legal field.
Take those principles from your high school job at McDonalds or the mall, dress them up in a suit, add the following ten tips, and you’ll be on your way to a successful career.
“What are your greatest strengths?” is a common interview question that makes job candidates struggle. The question creates a two-fold problem.
The most recent reports on the future of the legal industry show law firms are in a dire need of fresh talent, and new skills. However, the big question is: Are law schools preparing students for the future of law, and the changes already taking place?
Substantive knowledge is generally not a condition of employment for entry-level lawyers. Employers typically don’t expect current law school students and recent graduates to have much substantive or working knowledge of practice areas, especially those entry-level lawyers who have had little or no work experience. Your first challenge isn’t to sound more qualified; it’s to become more qualified!
Recent law school graduates and experienced interviewers led a discussion of interview skills and pitfalls at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego during the American Bar Association's midyear meeting in February 2016. They demonstrated common mistakes and shared a few of their own unexpected interview experiences.
The second part of the title is the trick. I’ve seen plenty of lawyers come and go. They tank their first shot on the tube then are never asked back. TV is a cruel, cruel, world. Understand that before reading any further. How to get on television for the first time I
Before the Bar is the blog of the ABA Law Student Division. It brings together a diversity of opinions, experiences, and voices from those associated with the law anywhere in the world and is targeted to law students, current, past and future.
Unless stated, the opinions shared by our writers do not reflect the official position of the American Bar Association.
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