Associate's Mind

  It’s easy for lawyers to become entrenched in their position and lose the perspective of someone not well-versed with the law. They lose perspective on what it feels like to be a client. Clients usually come to a lawyer feeling one of these things: I’m worried. I’m feeling threatened. I’m feeling insecure. I’m exposed. [...]

  There has been a bit of discussion around legal blogs lately debating the importance of networking and building relationships in person v. some other method of building relationships. There are a number of marketeers, social media gurus, and lawyer coaches out there who will tell you that being on the internet, and social media [...]

In 1993, I walked into an outdoor equipment store looking for a pair of rock climbing pants. I had just been climbing and rappelling a week before and promptly decided that I was going to take up rock climbing. I was young and taking up a hobby every three months. They generally didn’t last. Like [...]

  A new/young lawyer in New Jersey offers his thoughts on $40k a year/no benefits job offers (click for a large version): Seen at r/law. You can find the requisite discussion on the above post here. Of course people are discussing the comedy of the above post. Many other young lawyers are critical of the above poster [...]

  A couple days ago Consultant’s Mind had a post on on the book Nudge. Nudge puts forth the argument that while people think they are making informed choices, more often than not they are relying on default choices. Essentially people will default to the status quo. The option of least resistance and thought. The most efficient [...]

In addition to having an over-inflated sense of self-worth, young people today are facing another problem: smartphones. But smartphones are useful tools! But I’m more connected! But I can work from wherever! But, but, but… Yes, all the above is true. Smartphones are incredibly useful tools. I use my iPhone all the time. They can [...]

  There’s a lot of noise being made about new lawyers going solo straight out of law school. Considering the dismal market for legal jobs, many new law grads are headed towards solo practice out of necessity. A large number of the people I graduated with headed deliberately into solo practice, with no desire to [...]

One of the reasons Americans loved Saturn cars was the “no-haggle” policy — which, to an Indian, is code for “let’s charge these suckers more because they’re afraid of negotiating.” - Ramit Sethi Lawyers do not have the option of being afraid of negotiating. From the courtroom to arbitration and mediation – negotiation is part and [...]

Pop Economics has a great post up today about effectively saving for retirement. I am going to blatantly steal his two images and then encourage you to go read his post. “Perfect Retirement” “Probable Retirement” If you’re a new associate out there, don’t fall in love with your salary and fall into a rut of [...]