Tips to stay ahead of the competition

Be over-prepared, advises ABA President William H. Neukom in the podcast, “Three Essential Tips for Associates.” The ABA Career Resource Podcast series features career tips from national leaders in the legal profession.

In addressing the first tip – “be over-prepared,” Neukom states that, whether it’s a dispute or transaction, being over-prepared is what the client deserves, and it actually brings comfort to the lawyer as well.

Law is an increasingly collaborative effort, suggests Neukom. As part of a team, a lawyer should show respect for his or her colleagues. When the lawyer is a young member, it’s helpful to deflect some of the praise to colleagues. In a similar vein, when a lawyer has developed and grown to the point where he or she is a leader, that lawyer should be generous in giving credit to the members of the team.

Finally, Neukom offers advice for new associates: “Join the organized bar.” Joining provides an opportunity to network, broadening a new lawyer’s understanding professionally and personally. Neukom also suggests that lawyers put in the same type of effort with the bar as they do with their clients.

Access the podcast and other resources at the ABA-CLE Career Counsel Web site, which covers such topics as finding a job, networking and diversity, to name just a few.

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