Six Tips for Navigating Your First Year as a New Associate by Abigail Dean

Six Tips for Navigating
Your First Year as a New Associate

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Abigail Dean is a 2L at Stetson University College of Law and an intern with Diversity Access Pipeline, Inc. She is the editor of Journey to Esquire: The Blog. She received her B.A. from the University of South Florida and is a former music teacher with Bible Truth Ministries Academy.

By Abigail Dean on March 13th, 2020 
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​For some new associates, despite completing three years of law school and passing the bar exam, entering into the field of law is both an exciting and challenging experience. Law school teaches you many skills, including how to interpret the law, apply rules to factual situations, and present your position in both written and oral form. But when you get out of law school, there are still a lot of skills you have to learn to advocate for your clients. That process of learning, especially during your first year as an associate, can be daunting. Below is a set of tips that can help you navigate this experience

• Be kind to yourself 

When you come out of law school, you will not have all of the skills necessary to practice law; there is going to be a learning curve. It is tempting in this learning process to beat up on yourself for making mistakes. Always keep in mind that although the "struggle may be real" at some moments, you have accomplished a lot to get to this point. Your past accomplishments are an indicator that you will do just fine. So be kind to yourself and strive to learn and grow from your mistakes and allow them to push you to strengthen your skills. 

• Treat Everyone with Respect 

Treat everyone and all people with respect when you go out into the work field. Don’t think that you are above people who work as paralegals, clerks, court reporters, and judicial assistants; these are the same people you are going to need to help you resolve issues. Also, be kind to other junior associates. Although the field of law is a competitive environment, you are all in the struggle of learning together. Keep in mind that these may be the same people that later in life may get you to the places and positions that you want in your career.  

• Preserve your reputation  

As a new associate, you do not want to ruin your reputation in the beginning stages of your career. The legal community is small, and so your reputation proceeds you as an attorney and word gets around quickly. Keeping that in mind, always act within the ethical standards of the law and do not allow senior associates to cause you to violate the ethical standards of the law.

• Network, Network, Network  

The importance of networking does not cease when you get out of law school. In every stage of your career, you should strive to expand your network and grow in your connections. Always seek opportunities to network by going to your local state and federal bar associations, Inn of Court meetings, law office parties, etc. You never know what connection can be helpful to you in your career. 

• Embrace constructive criticism 

In this process of learning, you are not always going to get it right the first time. When you are in a space where you are getting constructive criticism, especially beneficial criticism, embrace it. Instead of feeling unworthy to be in the position that you are in, allow it to push you towards growth.

• ​Protect your Mental and Physical Well-being 

The transition from law student to a new associate can be an overwhelming one, especially if you have a heavy caseload. It is easy to neglect your mental health and well-being, worrying about how you are going to get this and that done. To help you balance your work schedule and your mental health, make sure that you set time in your schedule to do an activity that you enjoy, and that gets your mind off of work. This activity could be biking, bowling, shopping, or just hanging out with friends and family. Your psychological and physical well-being should always come first because if you are not mentally or physically well, then you will not be able to advocate for your clients effectively.

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