Early Career Lawyers Seminar 7 September 2023
What to Expect …When You Are Admitted
Cara Hawkins and Kristi Foale - Directors of Simmons WolfhagenExpectations in the Workplace
• Find out early on
• KPls - how to measure performance and success; what other measures are applied by your workplace? Financials - time recording
• Non-financials - joining in, what does the firm value
• Build relationships within the firm.
• Open communication with your superiors or other people in the firm
Question: Have you had conversations surrounding the above with your supervisor; at interview stage, early on, or only recently? Discussion about how to have these conversations
Time Management and Workloads
• Organisation is key,
• E.g., inbox management seminar
• Time frames crucial
• Implement own systems and use tools available (e.g.: calendar, resubs)
• Response to clients - if dealing directly with clients, set realistic timing
• Tasks from others - scope out: due date, how long to spend on it, how do they want the advice? (e.g : draft letter, memo)
• Extra hours can help make a difference. But work smarter not longer.
• Work out a system that works for you.
Interacting with the broader legal community
• Other practitioners, and also externals such as valuers, accountants, experts
• Always be respectful.
• Crucial to own reputation, firm's reputation and the reputation of the profession
Question: Have you had negative interactions from other lawyers outside of your firm. This can happen Discussion about how to deal with it.
Work I Life Balance
• Find a sustainable balance for the long term
• Find out what works for you, can be very individual
• Actively make efforts to keep interests alive outside of work
Find a Mentor
Or find several mentors for different areas of support.
Additional Questions
• When friends or family ask for legal advice – how to manage
• Attend social functions, join in
• Relationship with PAs and secretaries are crucial - they know more than you do Don't ever assume you will know everything