How to Be a Great Law Firm Associate with Zero Experience

[@AngelaVorpahl]

👉🏻 Looking to connect with other law students and build your network? JOIN THE FREE LAW STUDENT NETWORK FACEBOOK GROUP: facebook.com/groups/lawtribenetwork What questions do you have about starting out as a new associate? :)

[@marielyspaduasoto1282]

How to manage toxic coworkers?

[@d3Str0Y3r961]

How to achieve a healthy work-life balance ? :)

[@AngelaVorpahl]

@@marielyspaduasoto1282 This is a good one. It would definitely depend on a few factors such as what type of bad behavior this person is exhibiting, whether this is a person senior to you or a colleague, whether you're working directly with them on a matter or just in physical proximity to them, and how comfortable you feel talking with senior management. If it's toxic in the sense of making you feel unsafe or unable to do your work and you feel like they're too senior for you to confront them, I would absolutely talk to a senior attorney about it. If it's someone closer to your seniority level and you feel like you can speak with them, I would absolutely have a conversation about it. They'll likely get defensive or make excuses, but if you're clear and stand your ground sometimes that will solve it, and if not they can't be surprised when you raise the issue with some more senior. Is there a particular behavior you have in mind?

[@AngelaVorpahl]

​@@d3Str0Y3r961 Oh yeah! This is a big one! And tough. It will depend on the culture of the organization and which legal sector you're working in, but if you take one of the most strenuous environments (biglaw) you'll have to definitely work at it. The first 0-3 years you're considered a "junior" attorney and you'll be expected to be available whenever they need you, which many times includes nights, weekends, holidays, and vacations. Now, there are definitely steps you can take to try and minimize the likelihood of work encrouching on holidays and vacations (e.g. make sure you've empowered other associates to "cover" every project on your plate so they can answer questions when they come up), as well as nights and weekends (e.g. never turn a project in on Friday afternoon), but you have to constantly be strategic about it and pick your battles. I made a video on this a while back (kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnytiIaggseInJY), but it may be time to make a sequel :)

[@marielyspaduasoto1282]

@@AngelaVorpahl I was once an intern and my colleagues formed a "clique" and were practicing social exclusion towards me at work. It was a very horrible experience for which I want to guard myself next time. I did not participate in their gossiping of the senior attorneys. I believe that's why I was left out.

[@TheAspiringBoss]

These are good tips! as a first year in big law, one of my strong points was that I was SUPER RESPONSIVE. Partners loved that. They would rave about how good of an associate I was even though I had no experience. My go to advice to juniors is to do whatever you can to make the senior lawyer’s life easier

[@AngelaVorpahl]

This is awesome advice!! Definitely being their go-to person to solve their problems is a fantastic position to be in :)

[@briantriplett5974]

i'm not a brand new associate, but a 15-year lawyer, former partner, now of counsel. i agree with all of this, especially the part about turning in good work product. you must be vigilant about every document you create. no typos on even a case management conference statement or a two line e-mail. put the periods in the right place. have the same amount of spaces between each sentence. put the correct name of the parties in the pleadings. really strive for consistency. another great attribute of a lawyer is to get things done early, without being asked to do them. once the case is set for trial, even though trial is months away, start getting trial documents and exhibits and jury instructions together. start drafting cross-examination outlines when you are first assigned a case. you have to push yourself to do the mundane, even if it means being a bit "bah humbug" while everyone else has already started cocktail hour. one other thing, which i know you've covered elsewhere, but enter your time as you complete each task. the vast majority of practicing lawyers don't do this. you will make yourself unique by actually putting in your time contemporaneously.

[@AngelaVorpahl]

This is all excellent advice!! Thanks so much for sharing! I completely agree, the value of the little stuff can never be underestimated :)

[@jeffreyd.4250]

I love your videos! Been watching them for awhile now. I am not a lawyer, but a trained paralegal. I find that a lot of what you are saying also applies to me. I used your big law interview advice and now I am moving into a big law law firm as a litigation secretary. I am so excited!! So thanks for helping 🌟 a guy with a dream to work in Big Law!

[@AngelaVorpahl]

Oh my gosh!! That's AMAZING!!! Congratulations!!! I'm so excited for you, please keep me posted on how it goes!!

[@Therapallday]

Love your videos! They’re so helpful, thank you so much!

[@AngelaVorpahl]

Yay!! I'm so glad to hear it!! I love when the videos resonate with people! :)

[@otheryoutube]

Can you do a video on how to deal with more senior associates who compete with, instead of support junior associates? Especially when you perform as instructed in this video. Just asking from experience (haha). Great content, I absolutely agree with all of this. Please keep posting! 😊

[@AngelaVorpahl]

Thanks, Elle! Haha I definitely know the type of associates you're talking about, and I'll see if there's a way for me put my thoughts on this into a video. Maybe I'll make it an IG story! :)

[@TXCTellsAll]

Be coachable! I think this applies to not only law firm life but other sectors as well. Taking constructive criticism and applying!

[@AngelaVorpahl]

Ooh yes! Good one!!

[@LolitaGray]

Wow!! Your advice is incredibly helpful! I'm making notes from this video which I will keep in mind when I begin. Thank you so much!

[@AngelaVorpahl]

My pleasure!! Are you starting this year? So exciting!!

[@LolitaGray]

Will be starting pupillage early next year. Yes, it is super exciting! Have worked as a paralegal for awhile and can see how useful this advise would be. Seniors tend to scoff a little at bright eyed, bushy tailed juniors (understandable to an extent) but, I love your suggestion that our zeal/naivety is something of an asset. Have actually written these down and will refer to it from time to time to cement my attitude/mindset. Your videos are amazingly articulate & insightful. Will certainly recommend this channel to friends!

[@AngelaVorpahl]

@@LolitaGray Oh absolutely, that positive energy and attitude can go so far! Also, congratulations on your pupillage!! I can't wait to hear how it goes! :)

[@stephensands3485]

Can you do a video on being more efficient? I was extremely detail oriented at my prior firm (1st year associate, M&A), tried my hardest not to make mistakes, and turned in good work product. One of the criticisms I received was that I was “inefficient” and took too long to do certain tasks (from my end, I think it was because I spent a lot of time double and triple checking to make sure there no mistakes). Also, I tended to ask more questions rather than less because (1) I didn’t want to wing it and do something completely wrong (avoiding the need for the senior to fix my error); and (2) didn’t want to take forever hunting around and looking around for something if I could ask a Q and have someone point out where it was to me. Some people seemed to like this (and would often hop on the phone when giving me assignments and we’d talk through the document, discussing what we wanted to do for certain portions because neither of us knew 100% what the right move was and decisions had to be made), others hated it (because they were busy and didn’t have the time). Couldn’t figure out how to differentiate between these kinds of people beforehand. Last thing, how do you appear to want to add value and be hungry to contribute more fully without coming off as entitled? I’ve heard that as a junior you need to fight for substantive work to show you’re a go getter, but at the same time, it’s very easy for that to come off as “entitled” and like you’re “too good” for the lower level task.

[@phebysamuel4369]

What is the difference between a staff attorney at a big law firm and a new associate at a big law firm?

[@AngelaVorpahl]

In biglaw, "staff attorney" usually refers to a non-partnership position for senior associates who either don't make partner or don't want to be considered for partner. Not all biglaw firms have those positions, but it's potentially an option to negotiate for instead of leaving the firm if you don't become partner. An associate is a lawyer that has not yet made partner (usually years 1 to 8), but again, if the firm is flexible, you could potentially remain an associate for up to 10 years without making partner before you will usually either need to successfully make partner, leave the firm, or negotiate to stay on in an "in between" role like "staff attorney" or "of counsel."

[@joannaflamenco8030]

Could you do a video on atypical law fields? I'm still in the beginning stages of deciding to go to law school or not...it would be helpful to get a feel for what options exist

[@AngelaVorpahl]

Hi Joanna! Yeah definitely! I have it on my list to make an overview video of the different types of legal careers to give you guys some insight into what the day-to-day might look like in each. It's definitely a passion project of mine, so stay tuned!

[@joannaflamenco8030]

I look forward to it :)

[@AngelaVorpahl]

@@joannaflamenco8030 😍😍😍

[@danieltafoya7886]

Hi, Angela. Love your videos. I have more than one question and I would love to hear your thoughts. I'm 26 and I need two more years to finish my undergrad. I figure I'll be 29 or 30 when I start law school. What was your experience with older students/classmates in law school? And do you think it is possible to still be a good lawyer starting later in the game? I would like to do this, but there is a part of me that doesn't want this to be a waste of time. I appreciate your time and your videos. Thank you.

[@AngelaVorpahl]

Hi Daniel! Great question. I get this question a lot, and from what I've heard from the law school admissions side, having previous experience is a big plus that law schools really like because it gives diversity and background to their law school class. As far as the legal employer hiring side, though, I really don't know how age plays into the picture one way or the other. Part of me would say that you would be evaluated on your grades and application/interview skills just like any other JD, but part of me wonders if there is a bit of hesitation as to whether an experienced professional would be comfortable working alongside 20-something's in an entry-level job. I'm going to reach out to my network on this one and get back to you guys on this!

[@Happygolucky159]

Hey Angela! I starting as a intern and im doing alot of grunt work like drafting memos and redrafting factums, sometimes its so interested sometimes its boring. How do I keep a positive attitude? As a baby lawyer how do i survive grunt work? How should I change perspective?

[@AngelaVorpahl]

Great question. And for me, it's definitely all about perspective. Take a look at what lawyers 2-3 years ahead of you are doing, is that type of work interesting to you? If so, try to find opportunities to offer to work on those cases, even in a very minor role so that you can start getting exposure to the work and the people. If that work isn't what you want to be doing, there's a good chance that where you are may not be the best fit for you and that you would be more excited and fulfilled working elsewhere. Either way, it's always helpful to keep in mind that what you're doing is temporary (whether you decide to stay or not), so the goal is to learn as much as you possibly can from the projects you're assigned, master what you're doing, improve the process if you can, meet as many attorneys as you can, because you will be moving on soon -- either to a new position or new work. It helps to recognize the limited nature of everything, so that you can really suck out of it what you can and appreciate it while it's here. Another thing you can do to add substance to your work is to team up with 1-2 other junior associates and take on a pro bono case. That's a wonderful way to start building up your skill set and breaking up your day so that you feel like you're also doing real lawyering work :)

[@Trollbot007]

An advice for all times

[@AngelaVorpahl]

🙌🙌🙌

[@ObligatoryPun]

Angela do you have any insights or have any relationships with someone who has insight into the experience of an older non-trad biglaw associate? (early-mid 30s and older)

[@AngelaVorpahl]

Hi! I personally don't, but I'm going to reach out to my network on this one because it's a question I get a lot and I want to give you guys the best information possible!

[@ObligatoryPun]

@@AngelaVorpahl legend!

[@AngelaVorpahl]

@@ObligatoryPun Haha heck yes! I actually did this last week and got a ton of great responses back so I'll be compiling them all in a video for you guys soon!!

[@ethanbittner2795]

Why am I watching this I’m a junior in high school🤣

[@AngelaVorpahl]

Haha you're so on the ball! I also run a free FB group for law students and prelaw students looking for clarity and support in their law school journey, would you like the link to join?

[@seebass7]

"do all of this to get much, much, much more of a workload from partners and senior associates" -- yeahhh, ok how about not. Just don't mess up the small shizz, don't complain about things, and DON'T go above and beyond and overextend yourself. The "thought leader" part made me LOL.

[@anirudhagrawal4893]

You are learned, and cute at the same time. :D

[@o.abbous477]

100%

[@stankakol5195]

Kiss the partners' rear end. And often!!

[@sreejithramachandranbhagee7270]

I want us citizenship can you help me? I will give you money?