Tips for Building a Professional Reputation as a First-Generation Lawyer

First-gen professionals: The 'fake it till you make it' advice doesn't work for us. Here's why: We don't have the cultural codes to fake it convincingly. We don't have the safety net if we fail. We don't have examples of what 'making it' looks like. Better approach: 'Learn it while you earn it.' Be honest about what you don't know Ask questions strategically Find mentors who remember being new Document your progress Celebrate small wins Authenticity + growth mindset > fake confidence. What's one thing you stopped pretending to know and started actively learning? #FirstGenProfessional #AuthenticGrowth #CareerDevelopment

Bar associations sometimes get a bad rap from young lawyers. But if you're starting your career, they offer real advantages right now. There's been a noticeable decline in newer and younger attorneys joining bar associations across the country. Fewer younger attorneys means more opportunity for the ones who get involved. At the risk of sounding like the old guy, here are more reasons I believe that bar associations are a worthwhile investment. Career and Practice Advice  Membership is an affordable way to get in rooms with experienced lawyers who excel in their craft. Those lawyers are pulled many different directions and tend to be difficult to reach. But at bar association events, we're in socializing/networking mode and ready to talk and share thoughts and experiences. Referrals If you have a niche practice, developing a reputation in your local bar association as THE lawyer who handles a specific type of case might be the single best way to build your firm. I know this is true because that's how I built my firm over the past thirty years representing victims of investment fraud. Succession Opportunities A good friend of mine is nearing retirement and thinks he's going to shut his law firm down. Not because he wants to, but because he doesn't have anyone to take over. This situation is becoming increasingly common as lawyers from the Baby Boomer generation reach retirement age with successful, profitable practices but no successors. Listservs The email listservs are a great way to keep up with what's happening in the profession and in the areas of law that interest you. I think the value of listserv access alone covers the membership dues. I've served as president of two bar associations in recent years. This photo is me getting sworn in as President of the Ohio Association for Justice in 2021. My advice is to join as many bar associations as you can afford to. But joining is just the first step. You need to get active. If you volunteer to do some heavy lifting to support the association (such as writing articles, participating in lobbying efforts, speak at meetings, etc.), the leaders will notice. You will be viewed as a doer who gets stuff done. That is how you build your credentials, and make great friends, too. I'm interested in your thoughts here. Are bar associations still valuable today? 

One of the most overlooked business development opportunities is also one of the simplest: Show up with something helpful—especially when no one asked you to. Not with a pitch. Not with a sales message. Just with value. This kind of effort is what builds strong, long-term relationships. It’s the follow-up after a matter closes. The check-in that isn’t tied to a new engagement. The introduction between two people in your network who should know each other. The upside isn’t always immediate or obvious. But that’s exactly why it works. Clients and contacts remember the lawyers who bring value consistently, not just when there’s a deal to close or a bill to send. They remember who paid attention. Who thought of them. Who helped without being asked. And lawyers are uniquely well-positioned to do this kind of thing. You’re in the flow of information. You see developments across industries. You’re connected to smart people in different spaces. You sit at a vantage point where you know things others don’t—and you often know who would find those things useful. That gives you a wide range of ways to "show up": - Share a relevant article with a brief “thought this might be helpful” note. - Flag a regulatory update you know your client hasn’t seen yet. - Make an intro between two people who share a challenge or a market. - Connect your client with a potential customer or client. - Offer a quick thought on something you saw in their industry that could affect them. None of these actions takes long. But they signal something powerful: I’m thinking about you. I want to help, even when I’m not being paid to. And that signal helps build strong relationship equity. Over time, these small moments add up. They build trust, credibility, and keep you top of mind when opportunity strikes Here's the strategy in a nutshell: - Be generous with what you know. - Be helpful when you don’t have to be. - And keep showing up—even when there’s nothing “in it” for you. Pick one contact today. Ask yourself, "How can I help this person?" Then do it. Let me know how it goes!

First-generation law students can take several steps to secure their position in the legal field: 1. **Academic Excellence**: Focus on excelling in your studies. Maintain a high GPA and participate in extracurricular activities or moot court competitions to enhance your legal skills. 2. **Networking**: Build a strong professional network by attending law school events, networking functions, and connecting with professors, alumni, and legal professionals. Networking can open doors to job opportunities and valuable mentorship. 3. **Internships and Clerkships**: Seek internships and clerkships with law firms, government agencies, or non-profit organizations. Practical experience is crucial for gaining real-world legal skills and making connections within the industry. 4. **Participate in Legal Organizations**: Join law-related student organizations and participate actively. This involvement can demonstrate your commitment to the legal field and provide opportunities for leadership roles. 5. **Mentorship**: Seek out mentors within the legal profession who can guide you and provide valuable advice based on their own experiences. 6. **Bar Exam Preparation**: Prepare thoroughly for the bar exam to ensure you pass and become a licensed attorney. 7. **Cultural Competence**: Embrace your unique background and cultural experiences. Having a diverse perspective can be an asset in the legal field. 8. **Seek Support Services**: Many law schools offer support services for first-generation students. Utilize these resources, such as academic advising or career counseling, to help navigate the legal profession successfully. 9. **Stay Informed**: Keep up with legal developments and industry trends. Stay informed about important legal cases and changes in legislation. 10. **Professionalism and Integrity**: Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and a strong work ethic. These qualities are highly valued in the legal profession. Remember, it's essential to remain persistent, be open to learning, and be proactive in pursuing your career goals. The legal field can be competitive, but with determination and hard work, you can secure a successful position as a first-generation law student.

Some advice to young attorneys looking to build a network and eventually a book of business: be a connector. I'm not referring to adding connections on LinkedIn or other platforms. Being a connector means deliberately helping people - personally or professionally - by connecting them with someone you know who can help them. Be the person who knows the best HVAC technician, mechanic, real estate agent, and divorce attorney. Anything and everything in your personal and professional space is fair game. If you do this long enough, you will be surprised with the credibility you earn for being the person who knows how to get something done and, even if you can't, that you are the person to find the right professional to take on the task and in a timely manner. If you don't have gray hairs, published cases, or trial experience, you certainly know how to use a phone. Find solutions for people in your network now, and they will calling you or referring you to others for your expertise later. And as for people to whom you are referring work? They'll be calling you with referrals, too. #litigation #Louisiana #insurance