Overview

101 Success Strategies They Didn't Teach You in Law School - get expert advice on becoming a better lawyer. Law school prepares you to think like a lawyer, write like a lawyer, and research like a lawyer—but once you're in the door of a law firm, there's a whole new set of skills you need. The New Lawyer's Handbook guides you through the 101 essential things you need to know in order to excel. From how to handle your clients and how to work with people in your office, to why it pays to learn to play golf and maintain some semblance of a family life even as you make your billables, The New Lawyer's Handbook gives you the knowledge you need to succeed.

Full Product Details

Author:   Karen Thalacker
Publisher:   Sourcebooks, Inc
Imprint:   Sphinx Publishing
Dimensions:   Width: 12.70cm , Height: 3.80cm , Length: 17.80cm
Weight:   0.249kg
ISBN:  

9781572487093

ISBN 10:   1572487097
Pages:   288
Publication Date:   01 June 2009
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Awaiting stock  
The supplier is currently out of stock of this item. It will be ordered for you and placed on backorder. Once it does come back in stock, we will ship it out for you.

Table of Contents

Introduction Section I: Starting Out Right at a Law Firm 1. Get the details of your employment agreement in writing 2. Appearances matter 3. Have extra essentials at the office 4. Work when you are at work 5. A to-do list is your constant companion 6. The importance of having a good assistant 7. When you're an associate, draft means final 8. You don't know everything Section II: Understanding Law Firm Politics 9. When your law office is more like the set of Survivor 10. Avoid having a romantic relationship with someone in your office 11. Foster a close relationship with someone in your office who has your back 12. It helps to be a golfer 13. What to do if a colleague is struggling Section III: General Tips for Having a Successful Practice 14. Avoiding legal pet peeves 15. Don't tolerate bad behavior 16. Learn to be a better listener and a better communicator 17. Don't give advice to strangers over the phone 18. Resist the pressure to take a case you're not qualified to take 19. Find experienced lawyers you can talk to 20. Don't procrastinate 21. What to do when opposing counsel is a jerk 22. You can always be a jerk later 23. Think twice before accusing someone of an ethical violation Section IV: The Business of Practicing Law 24. Be as involved as possible in your law firm's finances 25. The importance of a good filing system 26. Earning a living as a lawyer is a tough buck 27. How to build your practice 28. Treat your client like a customer 29. Get the money up front 30. How to close a case 31. Never let your malpractice insurance lapse 32. Keep up with your billable hours 33. Legal research isn't free anymore 34. Disaster planning Section V: Becoming Comfortable with Technology 35. Stay on top of technology but don't be a slave to it 36. Know how to operate the office machines 37. Cell phone etiquette 38. Be careful with emails 39. The impact of the Internet Section VI: Working with Clients 40. The importance of the attorney-client privilege 41. Do not judge 42. Don't give anyone a blank check on credibility 43. Keep a box of tissue on your desk 44. Not every attorney is for every client 45. Beware of the client who has fired his or her first attorney 46. When gender matters 47. Should you represent family and friends? 48. Make sure you and your client have the same expectations 49. Don't give guarantees 50. Tell your clients they need to follow your advice 51. Be specific 52. When a client or someone else is in jail 53. How to tell whether someone is having an affair and why you should care 54. How to get your client to tell you the truth 55. You may be the only sane person in your client's life 56. Anyone can become crazy 57. How to be involved but not overly involved 58. Make sure your client has the support of friends and family 59. Is the extended family part of the problem or part of the solution? 60. Does your client have a safety plan? Section VII: Building a Case and Preparing for Trial 61. Make sure you are suing and serving the right party 62. Look at the jury instructions to prepare your case 63. Don't wait for someone to give you information 64. Prepare for depositions 65. Give mediation a try 66. How you know when you have a good settlement 67. Hope for the best but prepare for and expect the worst 68. Your pretrial settlement discussion with your client Section VIII: Success in the Courtroom 69. Don't throw a fit in court 70. Treat the other attorney's client with respect 71. Find a nice judge you can talk to 72. Research your judge 73. Be extremely careful with ex parte communications 74. Do these things before you ask the judge for a signature 75. How to get your witness ready for court 76. You and your client should dress appropriately for court 77. How to present your case to the judge 78. Tips for picking a jury 79. Cross-examination you're no Perry Mason 80. Know when to sit down and shut up 81. Make your record for appeal 82. Appeals are a different animal 83. Getting more time in court 84. Have a sincere appreciation for court personnel Section IX: The New Lawyer at Home 85. Don't cross-examine your spouse or significant other 86. Phone calls on nights, weekends, and holidays 87. Find a creative outlet and a physical outlet 88. Get your affairs in order Section X: Your Legal Career in the Long Term 89. Keep up with your jurisdiction's latest ethics and appellate decisions 90. Don't let the door hit you 91. Why lawyers get burned out 92. You have the power to predict the future (eventually) 93. Stay humble and stay grateful 94. Do not underestimate the power of addiction 95. It's not the crime it's the cover-up 96. Does it pass the smell test? 97. You have the ability to change people's perceptions about lawyers 98. Donate your legal skills 99. The importance of defending the independence of the judiciary 100. Care about politics 101. What will people say at your funeral? Conclusion: Why I love practicing law About the Author

Reviews

For graduating law students who haven't had much exposure to firm culture or have lacked a strong legal mentor, this book is a necessary read. - The National Jurist

For graduating law students who haven't had much exposure to firm culture or have lacked a strong legal mentor, this book is a necessary read. -- Jennifer Pohlman The National Jurist (08/12/2009)

Author Information

Karen L. Thalacker is a practicing attorney at Gallagher, Langlas, and Gallagher in Iowa. She is also an adjunct professor at Wartburg College where she teaches Business Law.

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