Jason Feng’s Post

Great tips Jason Feng!

What you need to know about deadlines as a junior lawyer: 1. Not all deadlines are created equal. 2.Many deadlines are arbitrary and are negotiable. 3.Some deadlines are dead set. I.e. super important meetings involving super important stakeholders whose availabilities are hard to line up. 4.If you are creating the deadline, include buffer time for unexpected things, unless you have good ninja skills or can work with little sleep. 5.Always ask for a deadline when seeking instructions. Clarify whether it is an internal or external deadline if needed. 6.If you can't meet a deadline, manage expectations promptly. 7.Set deadlines for non-billable things and new experiences. It is an antidote to procrastination and repetition. 8. Depending on your stakeholders, differing time zones or working hour preferences can magically give you more (or less) time. 9.Some deadlines are aspirational. Always better to try and fail than not try at all, though rejections and failures are not always easy to embrace. 10.Life is more than just about deadlines. Remember you are in a profession of people. Be kind first and foremost, especially in a pressure cooker scenario. Got another tip to deal with deadlines? Share below! Follow or connect for more junior lawyering insights! #timemanagement #career #law #graduates #clerks #meibeitstrue

Good lawyer mentorship tips from Breanna Needham - I especially like the idea of doing the tasks you don't want to do first. Prioritizing tasks that you don't want to do first can be incredibly beneficial for several reasons. Not only does it help you tackle challenging or less enjoyable tasks when your energy and focus are at their peak, but it also prevents procrastination from creeping in. By addressing these tasks head-on, you free up mental space and create a sense of accomplishment that can positively impact your motivation for the rest of the day. Additionally, completing the more demanding tasks early on often leads to a smoother workflow, allowing you to approach the rest of your day with a greater sense of control and productivity.

Ok, 1st year associates, you’ve received your first few assignments from senior lawyers. You’re back at your desk, swimming in them. Here’s what NOT to do. Do NOT ponder the assignment for 45 minutes, realize you don’t really know what to do and write an email to or go back to the senior lawyer’s office with all your questions. The very last thing that lawyer wants is to hand hold you through the assignment. Even if they said, “just come back if you have questions,” don’t, because what that phrase really meant was “just come back if you have questions . . .  after having spent an appropriate amount of time thinking through the assignment and doing an appropriate amount of work to figure it out for yourself.” So, what now? Maybe ask a paralegal (nicely! They’re busy). I could write a whole post on paralegals and how invaluable they are. They’ve probably done what you’re being asked to do, or bare minimum, seen it before. Even if they haven’t, they can tell you someone you can ask who both will give you time and not make you feel small about it. Maybe you have a more senior mentor or confidant at the firm you trust in a similar way. Ask them. Ask the library/media resources staff for materials you can review or tools to research the questions. They are also invaluable. Finally, don’t be afraid of the internet. Don’t rely on it, and don’t just pseudo-plagiarize what you find, but it’s ok to use it as a way to direct your thinking and narrow the gaps in your understanding. Now that you have done all this, if you still can’t figure it out, compose a (short) list of the most meaningful questions you have about the assignment, go back to the senior lawyer (in person, preferably, but by email if necessary), briefly explain all the things you did to figure it out for yourself and give them your questions. You’re not expected to know all the answers, but you are expected to be a self-starter and not be handheld on everything. You’ve got this. Jay Harrington Marc W. Halpert Amanda Haverstick Heidi Brown Laura Frederick #lawfirmlife #associates #lookagain #selfconfidence

Do you struggle to speak up at work as a quiet lawyer? Turns out you are not alone. 👋 Great to meet you by the way. For years, I tried to be something I was not. Extraverted, loud, talkative. That never worked for me. Until. I found kindred spirits. Other quiet lawyers. Sharing lived experiences & finding out you are not the only one - helps. Yes, but it is scary to share your story. What if people judge? They will. What if I never find my voice? That hurt much more for me. Not being able to speak up, held me back every day of my life until I chose to speak, just a little every day, then again the next day, then again and this compounds until... You speak up. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm on a mission to help quiet, introverted, shy lawyers find their voice and flourish in their careers. If you found this post helpful or know someone you think would find it helpful, please share this post and follow me Simon Price. I post at 8am (GMT) every Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

New Beginnings: A Message for Our Fresh Faces at the Bar. Welcome to the legal world, newcomers! 😊 It's a thrilling and fulfilling journey you've embarked upon, but let me ask you this: How deep is your thirst for growth? You aspire to reach the pinnacle, but are you truly ready to embrace challenges and shoulder responsibilities? As I recently shared my own experiences with some junior colleagues, it got me thinking about the path I've walked. I take immense pride in the fact that, early in my career, I invested significantly in my personal growth and knowledge. This investment has undoubtedly been a key factor in bringing me to where I am today. I vividly recall that, within just 8 years post-call, I had racked up an impressive track record of handling cases in high courts and appeals and advisory to some transactions and industries of value. The secret? I began shouldering responsibilities early on. My focus has always been on knowledge and growth, and this commitment has handsomely paid off. You see, in the world of legal practice, clients don't merely seek a lawyer; they yearn for a professional who can deliver true value. Value isn't something you stumble upon; it's a result of knowledge, expertise, and character. So, how are you sharpening your skills or how will you sharpen yours? I'm here to cheering you on every step of the way! 📚👩⚖️📈 #NewBeginnings #LegalJourney #PersonalGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #EmbraceChallenges #KnowledgeIsPower

What I learned in my first year of articles: 1. Learn to have patience with yourself and others. Just as you don't know everything, others might not know everything. Clients might be unsure, colleagues might be stressed and Magistrate's, Judges and Court personnel have long days of assisting all of us. Take that breather and remind yourself that we are all human. 2. If you don't know, read. If you still don't know, ask. 3. Follow up! Let your director know what progress has been made in the file he/she gave you. Let correspondents know if the document they've been waiting for finally arrived at your offices. Constant communication is a must. 4. A smile and friendly conversation can go a long way. 5. Be willing. Ask for work. Assist anyone who needs a hand. 6. Get yourself a little "pick-me-up", whether it be coffee or a call to a friend, and use it on tough days. 7. Listen when legal practitioners are speaking. The knowledge and skill is so evident, even in brief conversations. Pick it up, because you just might learn something. 8. Have a growth mindset. You are learning new things daily. Every mistake is an opportunity to do better in the future. You are growing. You will become great. 9. Network, network, network. Put yourself out there. Do not just speak about work, really get to know people. 10. Take pride in how you present yourself. Dress neatly, smell good and give a firm handshake. #law #articles #candidateattorney

🚀 Calling all aspiring lawyers! 🚀 📅 Save the Date: 14th to 18th August 📅 🌟 Ready to take achieve your legal dreams? 🌟 Introducing "The Legal Accelerator" - a 5-day Crash Course designed to supercharge your journey towards landing your dream training contract or vacation scheme! 🎯 Topics Covered: 🔹 Dealing with Rejection 💔 Learn how to overcome setbacks and turn them into stepping stones on your path to success. 🔹 Preparing for the Next Application Cycle 📆 Get ahead of the competition by mastering the application process and maximising your chances. 🔹 Writing a Killer Application ✍️ Craft compelling applications that stand out, grab attention, and showcase your true potential. 🔹 Acing an Interview 🎤 Gain confidence and impress interviewers with our expert tips and strategies. 🔹 Open Q&A / Roundtable 🗣️ Engage with legal professionals and mentors in a dynamic discussion to address your burning questions. 🚨 Limited to 100 places only! 🚨 💼 Price: £25 (that's just £5 per session!) 💼 🎉 SPECIAL OFFER 🎉 For the first 10 people who comment "🚀", you'll receive a 50% OFF discount! Don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity to boost your legal career and get the competitive edge! To secure your spot, simply comment "🚀" below and I'll send you all the details via DM. Let's accelerate your success together! ✨

For law students embarking on their summer experiences: below is a very useful tip on note taking during meetings and a great way to add value even when just shadowing someone. A similar system can work well utilizing OneNote (my preferred note taking system). #lawstudents #summerassociate #lawschooltips #SeattleU #seattle #careerservices

Contains some handy tips and tricks on how to do an initial triage of meeting notes and summaries. Very important for junior lawyers in particular.