CBA Record February_March 2016

YLS Special Issue l THE COMPLETE LAWYER

2 business’s growth). Also, supervising attor- neys like associates who show that they are entrepreneurial and hardworking; if you demonstrate these qualities, you will give them a reason to want to work with you again on future projects. Finally, remember what work you did and who assigned it to you. It will give you a reason to check in with your colleagues and seek feedback. For example, you can stop by a partner’s office and ask, “How did Ms. Smith like the will we drafted for her?” This shows that you care about the quality of your work and how it was received by the client. Be enthusiastic! One of the biggest advantages that you as a nascent attorney have over older attorneys is that you are fresh off the bench. Your enthusiasm for your work is infectious, and it will motivate others to work with you. The opposite is true as well. A nega- tive attitude can turn others off. So do your best to be positive, even if you are given an assignment that is less than exciting–show- ing your enthusiasm will prompt your supervising attorney to give you a more interesting project later on. When drafting a document, don’t reinvent the wheel. When you are assigned to draft some- thing, whether it be a motion, pleading, contract, or other document, never start from scratch. Chances are that someone, somewhere has drafted something very similar in a prior situation. Do not be afraid to ask the person assigning you the project whether they have a sample, and if they do, how closely they would like you to adhere to the sample. Only minor changes may be needed; on the other hand, substantial changes may be required to reflect differ- ent facts and circumstances. Regardless, clarifying your supervisor’s expectations beforehand will save both of you a lot of time and headache. Starting from a template not only saves time, it helps you work more efficiently and ultimately saves the client money. More importantly, it preserves lessons 3

4 learned from past experiences. If a certain clause or word is used in a prior version of a document, it is likely there for a reason. It may be the clause that preserved the enforceability of a contract. Or it may be the allegation in a complaint that allowed the claim to survive a motion to dismiss. At the very least, the sample will show you how your supervisor likes work product to be formatted. If you find yourself in the rare situation where you actually do have to start from scratch, you can likely find samples online by looking on Westlaw or Pacer. Communicate, communicate, communicate. When it comes to communication, treat your supervising attorneys like your clients. Technology has created the expectation that everyone is always accessible, so check your email often, and always respond promptly. Write your emails profession- ally, like correspondence, and not like a Tweet or a Facebook post. In addition, it is important to keep an open line of com- munication with your supervisors regard- ing your workflow, so you can understand and manage their expectations for your work product. As part of maintaining good com- munication, you will want to learn your supervisors’ work style. Some attorneys take a hands-off approach, while others will want to monitor your progress more closely. Some attorneys will ask you to prepare a long research memo that lays out all of the relevant legal doctrines and theo- ries on a particular subject, whereas others would rather just have a conversation with you. Because each person is different, you should be mindful of who assigned you a project so you can produce work that is tailored to that person in a way that is most helpful to them. It is part of your job as a new employee to find a way to fit in with the office, not the other way around. Communication is especially critical during meetings and when you are receiv- ing an assignment. Always carry a notepad with you whenever you are called to a supervisor’s office. Ensure that you have a full understanding of the contours of the

5 assignment and your supervisor’s expecta- tions before leaving the office. For example, say you are assigned to write a research memo. You will want to ask whether you should limit your search to a certain juris- diction, range of dates, or published or unpublished sources. Above all, know the deadline for the project. Never submit a “draft” to your supervisor. Attorneys are generally very busy people. It is a real drain on their time when they have to review another’s incomplete work and fix it so it is ready to be sent to a client or filed in court. Accordingly, you should never submit something to your supervisor that is only a “draft.” A draft is not some- thing that another attorney can use unless they spend additional time reviewing and polishing your work. Drafts send the mes- sage that you did not take the time to put together a final product. Your work product should be as impec- cable as you can reasonably make it. Make sure that you are fluent in the rules of grammar and legal style. Submitting a finished product and getting things right the first time will inspire trust in you and your work, and show others that you are reliable. As a result, you will get more work from people in future, which helps you grow professional relationships with your colleagues and build your professional reputation and credibility. Stay organized and set personal deadlines ahead of your actual deadlines. Another advantage you have as a young attorney is your proclivity for new technol- ogy. Use the tools you have to aid you in staying on top of your work. Organize your inbox and set up digital calendar alerts. Create digital to-do lists and reminders to prioritize the projects you are working on. There are few things worse than blow- ing a deadline, so it is a good idea to set personal deadlines ahead of the actual deadline for your project. Your supervisors will appreciate it if you get work done ear- lier, because this gives them more time to review your work. Sooner is always better. The last thing you want is to turn in a proj- 6

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