CBA Record March-April 2023

YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION: ADVICE FOR YOUNG LAWYERS tials and accomplishments? Do you want to represent particular clients or types of clients? Is there a new city where you want to work or a specific organization for which you want to work? Step 4: Repeat steps 1 through 3 every six months or so. tion that will at some point be good to include. Think of the process as a strate gic way to look both backward (at what you have done) and forward (at what you might want to do), all at the same time.

Dynamic Documents The good thing about résumés is that they are not fixed in stone. The best ones are dynamic documents. They can and should change. A good sign that you are progressing as a lawyer is that every year you have new bullet points to add. So, the next time you revise your résumé, try to frame information that is already there while also creating informa

Step 3: Use the aspirational version of your résumé as an action plan for the next few months. What trainings, workshops, or other opportunities should you seek out to help you start to make your aspira tional résumé a reality? What specialized knowledge should you try to build?

Patrick Barry, who teaches at both the University of Chicago Law School and the University of Michigan Law School, is the author of several books on writing and advocacy.

Precise Advice: Words of Wisdom for New Attorneys By Andre Hunter, Jr.

to new a friend, client, or job opportunity. I have made it a daily rule to make at least one trip around the office and greet anyone I see. When I see a LinkedIn post by an old classmate from law school, I always like, comment, or reshare. If I find myself standing alone at a networking event, I often remind myself that I have nothing to lose, and neither do you. Just smile, reach out your hand, and always say “Hello!” 4. Find Mentors and Sponsors Aim to develop genuine relationships with mentors as well as sponsors. What are the differences between the two? A mentor can give perspective and guidance, such as how to develop strategies in your cases or how to build rapport with a new or potential client. If you need somewhere to start, register for the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Pro fessionalism's Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program, which also satisfies your newly admitted-attorney basic skills CLE requirement by meeting with a mentor to discuss planned topics. A sponsor will advocate for you to decision-makers. A sponsor can be a supervisor who will speak in favor of your promotion at work, or an acquaintance at a lateral firm who will hand-deliver your résumés to their hiring partner. You never know when you might need some help, so treat every one you meet as a future mentor and sponsor!

1. No One Is Born an Expert Like it or not, your first months as a new attorney will be filled with waves of confusion and moments when it feels like you are just winging it. That is okay! No one is born an expert at anything. Your job as a young lawyer is to ask questions and take on new assignments as you are able. You are allowed to make mistakes – but avoid making the same mistake twice. Always hold yourself accountable, embrace constructive criti cism, and never compare yourself to others. Have faith in your ability to learn and perform – after all, you passed the bar exam! 2. Conquer the Unknown Just like entering any other field, there will be a steep learn ing curve in the legal field. In your early years, make it your habit to experience different “firsts.” While nerves and anxiety may never completely vanish, you will begin to feel less ner vous and anxious as you gain more experience. Whether it be your first deposition, motion, or client meeting, embrace the unknown now and conquer it. 3. Every “Hello” Has a Return on Investment Each year in law school, it is normal to meet a variety of stu dents from different backgrounds and different law schools. However, your job will likely have at least some of the same coworkers for many years to come. Strive to put yourself in situations where you can make lasting and valuable connec tions, like joining a committee with the CBA’s Young Lawyers Section. You can easily invest in your professional network by simply saying, “Hello.” You have nothing to lose! Every single connection, even the brief ones, have the potential to lead

Andre Hunter, Jr. is a litigation attorney with Gordon Rees, concentrating in tort, employment, and commercial litigation defense, and serves as a Director for the CBA Young Lawyers Section.

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