Here are five more tips for new lawyers.
1.
Special rules for us lady lawyers.
Dress for success.
Leave the Manolos at home,along with the short, tight skirts, the low cut camis, the bed-head hairdos, and the blood-red talons.
And for God's sake, cover your toes.
Even in summer.
The courtroom is not the place to show your lovely pedicure, or your fabulous boob-job.
If you want to be taken seriously, dress conservatively in the courtroom.
And never, ever, put your handbag, handcream, snacks or coffee on counsel table.
I've actually seen all of these items placed on counsel table, turning the courtroom into a MacDonald's waystation.
2.
Listen to your clients.
I mean really listen.
Try to listen at least twice as much as you talk.
You client has come to you with a problem.
Empathize.
Give your full attention.
Do not take phone calls, do not check your email, do not text message.
And don't interrupt, unless it is necessary to ask a question, to clarify what the client is saying, or to announce that the building is on fire.
3.
Private practice is a business.
You can be the best lawyer who ever lived, but you will not succeed if you don't treat private practice as a business.
And this is equally applicable if you are a solo practitioner, or the overworked associate of a large firm.
In order to succeed in either venue, you need to bring in business, and the ways you do that are not that much different from any other service business.
Begin networking, speaking, joining service and business organizations along with the bar association.
Write.
Get out from behind your desk and meet people.
Create a written plan and follow it.
If you need help, ask for it.
Ask the successful lawyers in your office.
Ask for a career coach.
It's critically important, because it is only when people know you and what you do, that they will think of you when faced with a legal issue.
4.
Consider public service.
If you don't want to deal with the business aspect of private practice, or if you want to hone your litigation skills, consider public service.
You won't make a million dollars, and you can forget about the second home in Costa Rico, but day-to-day your quality of life will be far better.
You'll work more reasonable hours and have time for family, hobbies, and fun.
You'll be off on the most obscure legal holidays, and you'll have vacation time you're actually expected to take.
You'll also meet some great legal minds hidden in the halls of bureaucracy.
And you might even find a cause that you truly believe is worth fighting for.
5.
Don't get trapped.
As in any other profession, there is a chance that you won't want to pursue this career until retirement.
Sometimes the reality of life as a lawyer is far different from what was expected.
If you are unhappy as a lawyer, leave.
You have my permission to do it without guilt.
Don't live a miserable life in a job you hate because of the money.
Save a good chunk of your income now so that you can escape when you need to.
And never feel that you have "wasted" a legal education.
Nothing in life is wasted.
You'll be amazed.