About the Authors
Acknowledgments
Why We Wrote This Book
Chapter 1 The Divide Between Law School and Lawyering
Chapter 2 The Core Concepts of Lawyering
Empathy
Listen First, Talk Second
Ask Questions
Always (Usually) Give Advice
Chapter 3 Classic Coursework (What Is It Good For?)
Torts
Contracts
Civil Procedure
Property
Criminal Law
Constitutional Law
Legal Methods/Writing/Research
Evidence
Ethics and Professional Responsibility
Chapter 4 Choosing Proper Electives
Chapter 5 What Should You Get Out of Law School?
Chapter 6 Be a Fiduciary
Principle 1: Know If You’re Acting as a Fiduciary and on Whose Behalf
Principle 2: Slow Down
Principle 3: Seek Advice and Help
Principle 4: Always Put Your Clients’ Interests Ahead of Your Own
Chapter 7 A Short Primer on Negotiations
Negotiation Tactics
What Really Matters?
Preparing for the Negotiation
A Brief Introduction to Game Theory
Negotiating Win-Win Agreements
Negotiating Other Game
Negotiating Styles and Approaches
Collaborative Negotiation Versus Walk-Away Threats
Building Leverage and Getting to Yes
Chapter 8 Preparing for the Job Hunt
You on Paper
Social Media
Telling the Story
Networking into Employers
Career Placement Services
Chapter 9 The Bar Exam
Chapter 10 You Got the Job—There Is No Time for Rest
Chapter 11 The Fourteen Commandments for New Lawyers (Okay, How about “Strong Suggestions”?)
1: Have a Learning Mindset
2: Rely Upon but Mistrust Forms
3: Beware of the Foggy Project Trap
4: Never Consider Anything That Goes to a Senior Colleague or Client to Be a “Draft”
5: Be More Organized Than Others
6: Take Ownership Without Request
7: Invest in Your Management Skills
8: Have a Three-to-Five Year Horizon
9: Plan to Develop Near-Term and Long-Term Advantages
10: Understand How to Best Use and Foster Mentor Relationships
11: Flatten Hierarchies
12: Own Your Mistakes
13: Know What a Junior Lawyer’s Value Is
14: Keep Your Own List
Bonus Commandment for Those Working with Contracts!
Chapter 12 Common Mistakes New Lawyers Make That Limit Careers and Anger Clients
Forgetting You Are in the Services Industry
Getting Frustrated and Thinking People Are Idiots
Having Loose Lips
Assuming Each State Has the Same Laws
Treating Administrative Staff Poorly
Having a Sexual Relationship at Work
Being Inconsiderate of Others’ Calendars
Forgetting You Are the Leverage
You Forget Who the Client Is
Assuming Other Lawyers Are Good People
Shortchanging Research
Failing to Understand Basic Intellectual Property Law
Don’t Talk to Another Attorney’s Client Without the Attorney
Screwing UP Billing (If You Bill Clients by the Hour)
Chapter 13 Relationships, Difficult Personalities, and Being the Calmest Person in the Room
Challenging Personalities
The Lawyer’s Job When It Comes to Challenging Personalities
General Approaches to Managing Challenging Personalities
Sampling of Challenging Personalities and Tips for Dealing with Them
Parting Thoughts
Chapter 14 Understanding Current Technology
Chapter 15 Words from the Wise
Guest Chapter 1: Lynne Davis
Guest Chapter 2: Phil Weiser
Guest Chapter 3: Kenzo Kawanabe
Guest Chapter 4: Rachel Proffitt
Guest Chapter 5: Matt Baca
Guest Chapter 6: Kim Willoughby
Guest Chapter 7: Brad Bernthal
Guest Chapter 8: Jolene Yee
Guest Chapter 9: Greg Mann
Guest Chapter 10: Nicole Day
Guest Chapter 11: Lindsey Beran
Guest Chapter 12: Robyn T. Williams
Guest Chapter 13: Alfred Levitt
Guest Chapter 14: Nicholas Troxel and Josh Fitch
Guest Chapter 15: Emily Galvin Almanza
Guest Chapter 16: Jennifer Zimmerman
Guest Chapter 17: Margot Edwards
Guest Chapter 18: Jason Lynch
Guest Chapter 19: Randall Klein
Guest Chapter 20: Stacy Carter
Guest Chapter 21: Nikki Stitt Sokol
Guest Chapter 22: Ryan Day
Guest Chapter 23: Tyrone Glover
Guest Chapter 24: Will Foster
Chapter 16 What Clients Want
What Clients Liked
What Clients Didn’t Like
Chapter 17 Law School as a “Second Career”
Entrance into Law School
Getting a Job
Chapter 18 Understanding the Importance of Law School Rankings on Your Future
Chapter 19 How to Be a Happy Lawyer
Have an Identity Outside of Being a Lawyer
Take Pride in Your Work and the Impact It has on Others
Keep a Continually Learning Mindset
Don’t Get Too Wrapped Up in Your Work
Manage Your Stress
Watch Your Drug Consumption
Never Compromise Your Value System
Don’t Forget to Laugh and Celebrate the Wins
Internalize the Losses, But Don’t Dwell on Them
Work with Clients You Really Like
Have a Great Surrounding Team
Set Boundaries for Your Personal Life
What to Do When You Are Not Happy
Chapter 20 What If You Don’t Want to Be a Lawyer Anymore?
Chapter 21 Let’s Sum Up