Super Lawyers - Illinois 2012

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG LAWYERS? AS TOLD TO JESSICA TAM AND ADRIENNE SCHOFHAUSER

Stay connected with your
peers from the get-go and
don’t lose touch. It’s an
investment that will really
pay off in the long run.

Many new lawyers get so wrapped up in learning their trade that they lose contact with their early relationships. Obviously, being a highly skilled lawyer is important, but today that’s just not enough for long-term success. So make it a point to also consciously cultivate your peer relationships from Day 1. You’ll be thankful later in your career when you’re in a position to really start bringing in business. You just never know where that person you sat next to in college or law school may end up—he or she may someday be the general counsel or CEO of a company seeking outside counsel.

ANGELA ELBERT / NEAL, GERBER &
EISENBERG, INSURANCE COVERAGE
Plan your career around
your family, not the other
way around.
If you want to get married, have babies,
travel the world, do it now and make your
career fit around them. There are hundreds
of ways and dozens of years to practice law,
but a limited amount of time for you to do
what’s really important. How much time?
You won’t know until the time’s up.

Relying on others to give you work will eventually put you out of a job. In early years of practice, join something: a club, an organization, a team, something that allows you to meet other people in business. Work with them on committees, volunteer to do something nonlegal, and make professional friends. Joining a club or committee by itself just gets you on a list and a copy of the newsletter. These people will be your clients someday, but only if you show up and volunteer to do something.

Humility, civility and a good sense of
humor will serve you and your clients well.
ERIC L. SINGER / ICE MILLER,
CONSTRUCTION LITIGATION
The way you do anything is the
way you do everything. Don’t
expect others to edit your
assignments. And go beyond
what is expected of you.

Strive for high-quality work that you would feel confident sending directly to a client or a judge. Finish written assignments early and come back to them a day later to make the arguments and presentation even more succinct and clear. Lawyers are competitive, but protect your reputation by being fair and taking the high road. Be a team player and endeavor to make colleagues and clients look good. This requires listening and investment of nonbillable time, but the rewards in terms of professional relationships and potential business are considerable.