CBA Record January-February 2023

YOUNG L AWYERS S EC T I ON : BU I LD I NG BR I DGE S

those who too often assume that the part ner knows best, or that the senior attorney will ultimately take responsibility for the client’s matter. To be sure, Radical Ownership is not a cure-all. Lawyers will inevitably make mistakes, whether they embrace Radical Ownership or not. But with Radical Own ership, those mistakes are likely errors of commission, rather than errors of omis sion. I assume errors of commission are more easily forgivable, given they dem onstrate at least that the attorney cared

enough to try. And when that effort falls short, Radical Ownership means owning the fault of that mistake and taking active steps to make up for it. The more an attorney demonstrates that they care about the entire case, the more they demonstrate they are willing to try hard. The more an attorney dem onstrates they are taking ownership over a case, the better their on-the-job educa tion becomes. I can also assure you that the more a young attorney shows their eagerness to help through Radical Own

ership, the more opportunities a supervis ing attorney is likely to send that young attorney’s way. Radical Ownership may seem scary or risky, especially for an attorney who does not feel they know what they are doing. But one of the few things every attorney has control over in this profession is how much effort they expend in pursuit of their professional goals. Put in the effort. Take Radical Ownership of your assignments. I assure you the rewards will follow.

Save the Date! The Young Lawyers Section will host its annual fundraiser for the CBA Lawyers in the Classroom Program on February 16, 2023, at The Chicago Bar Association. Stay tuned for details at www. chicagobar.org and join us for somemasquerade themed fun!

Nielsen Career Consulting Career Counseling For Attorneys Coaching support for your career in or out of the law • Career Transition • Job Search • Interview Prep • Professional Development • Difficult Workplace Guidance • Wellness Support Over 30 years of experience counseling over 5,000 lawyers and other professionals.

YLS Holiday Party Over 100members gathered for holiday cheer at theYoung Lawyers Section annual get together. Pictured from left: YLS Director Andre Hunter, Gordon & Rees; YLS Immediate Past Chair Tracy Brammeier, Clifford LawOffices; YLS Public Services Manager Margaret Mendenhall Casey, City of Chicago; YLS Chair Daniel Berkowitz, Aronberg Goldgehn; YLS Member Services Manager Gavin Phelps, Phelps LLC; and YLS Social Committee Vice Chair Stephanie Moon, Novack Macey.

Sheila Nielsen, MSW, JD sheila@nielsencareerconsulting.com

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