Maximize Your Lawyer Potential

by McKim, Amee R.

• ISBN13: 9780314194039
• ISBN10: 0314194037
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-11-04
• Publisher: West Academic

Summary

Gain an essential edge in your legal career. Professionalism is the necessary ingredient beyond legal skills and experience. You can learn vital skills to make the most of law school, build and sustain a professional network, and succeed in your job search. Transition from law school to law practice with ease, make the most of business functions, and impress your employer. Filled with quotes from experts in the field, this book will guide you through professional expectations and help you maximize your legal career. You can still become a lawyer without this information...but you'll be a much better lawyer with it!

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	p. v
Legal Skills Are One-Third of What You Need to Succeed in Law	p. 1
Tom's Story	p. 1
The Gap Between Law School and the Practice of Law	p. 4
The Necessary ôSoftö Skill	p. 5
Professionalism Is the Infrastructure of Career Success	p. 6
Chesea's Story	p. 8
Why Worry About Professionalism?	p. 9
Using Law School Opportunities to Help You Succeed	p. 11
Tasha's Story	p. 11
Law School Is Short-Make the Most of It!	p. 12
Chart Your Academic Coursework	p. 13
Belly Up to the Bar?	p. 13
Joint Degrees: A Double-Edged Sword?	p. 15
Judicial Clerkships: To Pursue or Not to Pursue?	p. 18
Other Law School Curriculum Options	p. 20
Using Law School Extracurricular Options to Build Your Repertoire of Skills	p. 21
Relationships to Build	p. 23
The Biggest Mistake of My Life?	p. 24
Addressing the Debt Dilemma	p. 27
Jason's Story	p. 27
Relevance, Your Honor?	p. 28
The Basics: What Is a Credit Report?	p. 29
Avoid Living Like a Lawyer in Law School	p. 31
The Impact of Poor Credit and High Debt	p. 34
It's Never Too Early to Think About Your Retirement Plan!	p. 37
Karen's Story	p. 38
Other Gold Mines for Developing Necessary Skills	p. 40
Developing Leadership and Management skills	p. 40
Tonya's Story	p. 42
For Further Reading	p. 46
Developing Your Public-Speaking Skills	p. 47
Public Speaking Quick Tips	p. 49
Public-Speaking Resources	p. 51
Developing Your Times-Management and Organizational Skills	p. 51
Seth's Story	p. 51
Tackling Time Management	p. 51
Procrastination Is Only a Temporary Reprieve From the Inevitable	p. 56
Tacking Files and Piles	p. 58
E-Mail Voicemail, and Snail Mail Management	p. 59
Making Networking a Part of Your Life	p. 62
Contact Management Is the First Step	p. 63
You DO Have an Existing Network!	p. 64
Planting the Seeds: Grow Your Network in Law School	p. 65
Using Alumni to Increase Your Network	p. 68
Another Tool: Informational Interviews	p. 70
Sample Informational Interview Questions	p. 73
Everyday Opportunities to Develop Your Network	p. 75
Nourishing and Using Your Network	p. 78
Professionalism in Networking	p. 79
Sarah's Story	p. 82
Mind Your Manners: A Primer on Business Etiquette	p. 85
John's Story	p. 85
An Introduction to Etiquette	p. 87
Correspondence Basics	p. 87
Cover Letter Savvy	p. 88
Business Letter Fundamentals	p. 91
Thank-Your Notes and Other Necessary Follow-Up	p. 92
You Are Invited! Invitation Essentials	p. 94
Introductions	p. 95
Meeting Etiquette	p. 96
Travels Basics	p. 99
Julie's Story	p. 100
Giving and Receiving Business Gifts	p. 104
Cocktail Parties Can Be Fun!	p. 105
Hungry, Anyone?	p. 108
The Golden Rule Rules	p. 111
Traps for the Uninitiated: Technology Pitfalls	p. 112
Is a Lawyer's Life Private in the World of Electronic Communications?	p. 112
E-Mail: Friend and Foe	p. 113
Foward E-Mail With Care	p. 115
Other E-Mail Actions to Handle With Care	p. 116
Communication Issues in E-Mail	p. 117
Constructive Feedback Via E-Mail? Not a Chance!	p. 118
If You Wouldn't Say It, Don't Send It!	p. 119
E-Mails Gone Public	p. 120
I Can't Keep Up: Volume Issues	p. 121
Drafting E-Mails Like a Pro	p. 122
Other Common E-Mail Communication Mishaps	p. 124
Social Networking Sites: Too Much of a Good Thing?	p. 125
Blogs and Web Sites: Selling Point or Liability?	p. 127
Other Possible Technology Perils	p. 128
Voicemail Issies	p. 130
Putting It All Together: Professionalism in the Job Search	p. 132
A Note About the Office of Career Services	p. 133
Elbow Grease, Leg Work and Research	p. 135
Take Care With Your Application Materials	p. 136
Ready Your Resumé	p. 136
Cover Letter Reprise	p. 139
References	p. 140
Writing Sample	p. 141
Transcript	p. 143
First You Have to Land the Interview	p. 144
Persistence, Yes! Stalking' No	p. 145
Putting It All Together: Legal Interview Savvy	p. 148
Reprise: Research Is a Must	p. 148
Prepare Material to Have on Hand	p. 149
Other Necessary Preparations	p. 150
Dress to Land the Job	p. 151
The Day of the Interview Has Arrived!	p. 154
Fielding Interview Questions Effortlessly	p. 155
A Word About ôScripted Interviewsö	p. 163
The Interview With a Meal	p. 164
Interview Challenges and How to Overcome Them	p. 165
Professionalism Permeates the Interview Process	p. 167
Answering the Tough Questions	p. 169
When Is It Okay to Cancel an Interview?	p. 172
After the Interview	p. 173
After the Job Offer	p. 174
To Negotiate or Not	p. 178
After Acceptance, Reneging Is Not an Option	p. 181
On the Clock: Your First Summer Internship or Summer Associate Position	p. 183
Orientation and Policies	p. 183
Confidentiality	p. 184
Work Assignments-A Recipe for Success
Meeting Your Commitments With Your Assignments	p. 186
Summer Job Quick Tips From an Employer
Know Where to Turn for Help	p. 188
Feedback-Getting the Information You Need	p. 189
Billing and Accounting for Time	p. 191
A Word About Summer Social Events	p. 193
Communicating Effectively	p. 194
Putting It All Together: Post-Law School-Your First Legal Job	p. 197
Your Support System	p. 197
Finding and Keeping Mentors	p. 198
The Golden Rule-Again!	p. 200
Learning Employer Policies-Again	p. 201
Surfing, Anyone?	p. 202
What Are the Resources?	p. 204
Working to Achieve	p. 207
Developing Expertise	p. 211
Training, or Trial by Fire?	p. 212
Feedback and Performance Evaluations	p. 215
Stepping Stones and Milestones	p. 217
Coping With a ôLess Than Perfectö Supervisor	p. 218
Working With Support Staff-Especially Your Assistant	p. 221
Organizational Issues	p. 224
Mistakes-Everyone Makes Them: Not Everyone Recovers	p. 226
Consequences to a Lack of Professionalism on the Job	p. 228
Putting It All Together: Pro Bono and Community Service	p. 230
Understand Your Employer's Commitment to Pro Bone	p. 232
Pro Bone Challenge©	p. 233
Split Summer Opportunities	p. 233
Jump In and Do It!	p. 234
Resources	p. 235
Putting It All Together: In Pursuit of Happiness and Well-Being	p. 237
Obtaining and Maintaining Balance	p. 238
The Flexibility Quotient: Flex-Time and Part-Time Options	p. 241
Know the Risks: Substance Abuse and Depression	p. 245
Taking Control of Your Career	p. 248
Index	p. 251
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