WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER
YOUNG ATTORNEYS? AS TOLD TO BETSY GRACA
One: Find a niche or
specialty area in the law
in which you can make
yourself an expert.
Look for a practice area that is likely to
be in demand in the future. Two: Identify
a successful partner in your firm who is
willing to serve as your mentor, then learn
all you can from your mentor.
JAMES BRASELTON / MARISCAL, WEEKS,
MCINTYRE & FRIEDLANDER, PHOENIX,
EMINENT DOMAIN
Prepare. Prepare more.
Then prepare even more.
Preparation is the key to being
successful and respected at your firm,
with your clients and in the courtroom. As
a young attorney, there is no such thing
as being overprepared. If you receive an
assignment from a senior attorney at your
firm, you will gain respect if you have taken
the time to learn the background of the
case and are prepared to answer the “cons”
of your research. You will gain respect from
your clients if you prepare in advance and
have an agenda for your meetings or calls
with them. A large part of your success at
trial and in depositions will be based on
being overprepared. Know what you want
to prove at trial, at your depositions; know
the contents of every trial exhibit; prepare
for any possible objection to testimony
or exhibits before trial; and rehearse with
your client and witnesses before trial their
testimony and possible cross-examination
questions. You can overcome a differential
in legal experience with preparation.
ANGELA HALLIER / HALLIER & LAWRENCE,
PHOENIX, FAMILY LAW
Seek out a mentor of the
highest professional and
personal caliber you can
find in your chosen area
of the law.
Learn as much as you can from that
person and you will be successful. In every
stage of your career, a mentor is helpful.
As a young lawyer, I was lucky enough to
have more than one mentor and was able
to learn a lot about the practice of law and
how to provide superior client service as
well as basic skills in case development
and in the courtroom.
WILLIAM F. AUTHER / BOWMAN AND
BROOKE, PHOENIX, PERSONAL INJURY
