Super Lawyers - 2012 Ohio

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR
YOUNG ATTORNEYS? AS TOLD TO BETSY GRACA

Find what your passion is
outside of practicing law.

That’s hard because, as a lawyer, the time is really scarce and, you know, the law is very absorbing to start with—it’s mentally absorbing, the hours are long. But you have to find some balance or the law will consume [you]. … Find something you love; find something you really enjoy that matters to you. It will help you keep a balance in your life and a better perspective on your legal work.

When you’re starting out, you’ll look around you and it seems like, “Wow, they’re so confident and comfortable with what they’re doing. Why do I feel just absolutely filled with dread every day when I walk into work?” Virtually every young lawyer feels that way. I started actually getting them together as a group, all of the first-year associates, prompting them to talk about it. And it did wonders, just in terms of making them more comfortable.

TERRI-LYNNE SMILES / COLLIS, SMILES &
COLLIS, COLUMBUS, HEALTH CARE
Don’t hesitate to ask
judicial officers or
experienced practitioners
for advice and insights.
You just pick up the phone and call
somebody. … I’ve never had anybody say
no; I’ve never had anybody refuse to listen
to me and answer my questions.
[Also] keep your clients informed every
step of the way. Don’t forget to keep the
client informed. If you don’t keep them
informed, you risk the chance that they
won’t understand what you’re doing or why
you’re doing it.
[And] take more than the mandatory CLEs
to keep up on developments in the law.
MARK EDWARD STONE / MARK EDWARD
STONE, ATTORNEY, LLC, BEAVERCREEK,
FAMILY LAW
Always get started in a
county prosecutor’s office
or in a public defender’s
office.

New lawyers who are interested in a career in private practice as a criminal defense lawyer often ask me, “How do I get started on reaching my career goal?” There is no substitute for the kind of trial experience you can get at that [prosecutor’s or public defender’s office] level. The next career move is often to a U.S. attorney’s office or a federal defender’s office. A further move into private practice requires realistic considerations and expectations concerning simply paying overhead to run a law office and attracting clients.