By Rose Law Group Litigation Chair Andrew B. Turk and Litigation Attorney Ryan Bradway
The end of the year brings many joys. For most, it is the holiday season, a time to catch up with loved ones, enjoy time away from the office, and reflect on the year gone past. For most associates it is a time for dread easily summed up in three simple words—year-end evaluation.[1] All too often, your year-end evaluation will reveal missed opportunities, undisclosed expectations, and untimely (hopefully constructive) criticisms. If this has happened to you, you know how bad it feels. If it has not, count yourself lucky.
It is never too late to implement new, better practices. If you did not make a list of resolutions in January, we suggest you adopt the following practices to increase your chances of success.
Do anticipate your supervisor’s and client’s needs
You should remember that the first clients you will work for are the partners and senior associates in your firm. Your key to success is making yourself invaluable to as many of the other attorneys in the firm as possible. Do this by being proactive. When you turn in assignments, ask what’s next or if you can draft discovery or a motion that is consistent with the research or project you just completed. Every time you take something off someone else’s “to do” list, you not only demonstrate your initiative but also create a favorable impression.
Don’t assume you are not going to court or meeting with clients
As an associate, it is almost impossible for you to overdress for work. If you are not client/court ready, you should have means to get that way quickly. You do not want to miss an opportunity to go to a hearing or a meeting, even if you will only be observing. Such events are good opportunities to learn. Equally, if not more important, they provide chances for you to get to know your supervisors and the clients you are both working for. While you may not need to “dress for court,” you should always be prepared to go to court on short notice. Additionally, in the post-COVID world we often find ourselves in virtual meetings, hearings, or otherwise. Always be prepared for these as well. Unless you are lucky enough to work close to home, you should have appropriate shoes and clothes in your office or car just in case you are unexpectedly asked to “step up.”
Do ask questions
Being a new attorney is scary. Almost everyone is afraid of being shown up or “looking stupid.” But the fact of the matter is that most of the more senior attorneys you are working with are likely to have very reasonable expectations of you. No one wants to give a first year associate a project that would be daunting for someone with more experience. Not only does no one want you to fail, but it is expensive and time consuming to have a project re-done, either by you or someone else. Learn to ask both procedural and substantive questions. For example, if you are getting an assignment from someone you have never worked with before, it is a good idea to ask what format your project should take, how long she expects it to take, and whether there is anything you should avoid doing. If the person giving the example has a sample memo or motion that she likes that you can look at, you can advance the project immediately simply by having a better idea what is expected of you. By the same token, asking substantive questions about prior memos, potential resources, and case law will help you focus on what is really wanted and lead you to an answer more quickly.
Don’t lie (EVER)
Just don’t! Really. Don’t![2]
Do grant professional courtesies
If you are a member of the Arizona State Bar Association, you already swore to abide by the Creed of Professionalism. (Look it up.) The Creed states: “In litigation proceedings, I will agree to reasonable requests for extensions of time or for waiver of procedural formalities when the substantive interests of my client will not be adversely affected.” Take this seriously. Even if your opposing counsel has been difficult to work with, there is no need or reason for you to respond in kind.
Ours is supposed to be a civil profession, so act civilly. Rarely, if ever, will you get in trouble with the Court for providing professional courtesies to your opposing counsel. While not all clients will understand, most will and you can, if necessary, fall back on the requirements of the Creed for support. In the long run, it benefits both you and your clients if you have a reputation of being easy to work with.
Don’t pass up opportunities to learn more about your clients
Just as you want to take every opportunity to learn about the law from your supervisors and other colleagues, you should never pass up an opportunity to learn more about your clients. If your client offers you a tour of their operations, accept. In fact, if you know little about your client’s business, consider asking your client to educate you. Make clear that the client will not be charged for your time but that the more you know about the business, the better you can represent them.
Clients are like everyone else–they want your time and attention. It is to your benefit to give it to them. Once they know you (and know you know their business) they will start to ask that you be assigned to their cases, if they do not contact you directly to do so. You can learn important information while also solidifying your relationship with a client.
Do get to know your fellow associates
Your fellow associates are a key support system. They are all going through or have just gone through what you are experiencing. Good relationships with your colleagues are always important, but the other “newbies” can be critical to your success as a new attorney. You do not want to develop a reputation for being a “stick in the mud” or unnecessarily competitive. Build your relationships with your peers just as you would with partners and clients.
Former colleagues are a great potential source of referrals and job opportunities. If you develop a good relationship with your peers, they will stick up for you when you are not in a room. As noted above, you want to be the competent, hard-working associate that everyone wants to work with, not the person everyone wants to avoid.
As a final matter, friends are almost always a good thing. You will need them in your career and your life. Cultivate them when you can.
Don’t miss out on mentoring
Depending on your firm, you may be assigned a supervisor or work regularly with a more senior attorney. That person may or may not be your mentor. It is rarely that easy and it is often incumbent for you to know what you want/need and go looking for it. It is important to remember that mentors take many forms, and you can have more than one.
For example, a young female attorney working in securities litigation may rely on a more senior male associate for help specific to her assignments and navigating the personalities of the attorneys in her group. At the same time, she may have a female attorney in another department who works with her on gender-specific concerns. Finally, she may turn to another attorney for insights and recommendations on business development.
Notwithstanding the above, a mentor does not always have to work in the same firm (or agency) as you. Many organizations, most notably the Inns of Court, are designed to introduce young lawyers to more senior attorneys and judges. In short, potential mentors are out there if you are looking for them.[3]
Do take advantage of opportunities to develop specialties
We live in an era of legal specialization. Most associates do not do work in multiple areas. Yet, even within a particular area of law, there are opportunities to obtain special knowledge that will make you stand out. For example, “business litigation” encompasses many different things. If you are handed a case on a particular type of business, whether it is horse breeding, residential leases, or solar contracts, take the time to develop expertise that will allow you to market yourself not only as a “business litigator” but to distinct niches as well.
Don’t be a jerk
This one should, we hope, be self-evident. It can take years to develop a good reputation. You can lose it in an instant.
Do be yourself (a “bonus do”)
There can be no real, lasting success if you are trying to hide yourself in order to “succeed.” It rarely works for long, certainly not forever. When we graduate from law school, we are supposedly ready to practice law. But it is not as simple as “plug and play.” Work is best when you belong and are working with people who you like, and who like you in return. It may take a while, but we believe finding a place where you are comfortable and happy is the greatest, most important ingredient to a successful career. This also applies to your personal life. While growth as an associate is paramount to your career success, do not lose track of things that make you happy outside of work. The more balance you can find between your work and personal life, the easier it is to succeed at work.
2024 has come and gone, year-end evaluations included. 2025 presents a fresh opportunity for growth as an associate. Embracing some or all of the above suggestions in 2025 will allow you to do just that, potentially making the inevitable year-end evaluation less dreadful. More importantly, they are likely to enhance your happiness and overall success, both in your professional career and personal life.
[1] If you view this as two words, we will not quibble.
[2] This is a professional recommendation. What you do in your personal life is up to you and your conscience.
[3] Mentoring can be a highly rewarding activity. When you get a chance, we recommend you try it.
