10 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started My Legal Career

I am the child of immigrants and the first in my family to go to law school in the US. Not knowing any lawyers, I navigated my career through trial and error. Here are 10 things I wish I knew when I started:

1. Big law is not the only way to go. Yes, big law is great for pay and training, but nowadays you can go in-house without it, e.g., if you get an internship in law school or join an in-house training program.
2. Litigation is not the only kind of law to practice. In fact, commercial/tech trans is the most requested skill set I get from employers and is the easiest way to go in-house. If you started as a litigator and want to switch practice groups, you can try to do it within the firm (I did this when I was at Wilson Sonsini), or aim to pick up more transactional skills whenever you can, e.g., through settlement agreements, patent licenses, employment agreements. Target lawyers who have made the switch (they will appreciate your background more) to get advice or get hired. Go for product jobs (employers often will consider litigators).
3. Get strategic about the projects and clients you want to support. Research where power sits, what groups bring in the most revenue, and what areas you are interested in. Actively connect with the right people. You need to drive your career because no one will do it for you.
4. Get a mentor. As a new lawyer, there is so much you don’t know, whether about the law or what kind of career you want. Guidance from someone experienced is invaluable, so look for mentorship. To attract a mentor or sponsor, offer something of value to them, e.g., help with organizing events, assist with research or writing, explain new technology, raise fresh ideas, etc.
5. You can say no. I didn’t know this. As a young associate I thought I had to pick up whatever was requested of me from whoever asked. Instead, the best practice would have been to decline low-value work or unhelpful managers. (Obviously turn down work gracefully. You may need to consult with your mentor [see #3] on how to do it best for each situation.)
6. Your friends are essential – they can explain the substance of law or processes to you, make the right intros, and be your ally. Befriend everyone you can when you are a student, intern, clerk, associate, counsel, or partner (yes, at every level of your career). You never know when you will need help, and being kind is a good policy.
7. Understand the business. That’s your job as a lawyer, to guide your clients beyond black letter law, so you have to know how the business works. Your friends (see #6) can help you get up to speed quickly and quietly.
8. Explain the law simply and apply it to the situation. My non-legal friends regularly describe legal advice as “verbiage” and “gobbledygook.” I don’t usually hear legal advice described as “super clear” so set yourself apart! Present options and help business decide. Or sometimes you are asked to decide, so understanding the business (#7) is crucial.
9. Know how to get a job. If you don’t have the golden resume that opens all doors (top law school, AmLaw training in hot area, in the 3-8 year range, ideally with one in-house job under your belt), then you need someone to walk your resume in to the hiring manager. That person could be a friend, colleague, client, entrepreneur, executive, VC, law firm partner, recruiter, relative, or acquaintance. The best case scenario is that person understands how you can help and is trusted by the hiring manager. (Hence, #6, #7, and #8 are all critical.)
10. Your career will zig zag. There is no straight line to the top. The best you can do is develop your skills and relationships, keep an eye out on opportunities (#9), and consult with mentors (#4) and friends (#6) on what’s going on.