It Is Not That Bad.

This week the ultimate ritual for soon-to-be lawyers began - Bar Prep. Those two words tend to scare law students, make law school graduates cringe, and elicit big sighs from licensed lawyers.  But, they shouldn't.  As a recent Texas Bar survivor, I can honestly say it is not that bad.

After the July 2009 Texas Bar I asked several of my peers "how was it?"  I heard everything from "it was worst than I expected" to "I rather have been run over by a Mack truck."  Big mistake - I was mentally psyched out six months before I began studying for the Bar (I almost feel it should be referred to as "the test that shall not be named.")  This did not serve me well.

During my Bar studying, a dear friend that had passed the Bar kept saying “it’s a mental game.”  He was right.  Once I mentally and emotionally settled down I was able to focus and study more effectively.  At that point I was in the zone, and it was great.  I know that sounds odd, but it was great - I enjoyed seeing my progress and the more I progressed, the more I was motivated.

I am sharing this story with you because I want you to know it is not that bad.  What I discovered going through the process was preparing for the Bar does require a lot of time, energy, and focus, BUT the Bar is not this horrible monstrous thing.  It is manageable.

So, here’s my advice: (1) trust yourself – you know how you learn best; (2) pace yourself – it is a mental marathon and a steady pace will serve you best; and (3) take “mental health” breaks – you cannot neglect your entire life, schedule time with family, friends, fitness, or whatever you enjoy; that time only makes your study time more productive.

Good luck all and remember, it is not that bad. 

Your Law Degree Gives You Options; Your Passion Helps You Determine Which Option to Pursue.

A Juris Doctorate gives you career options.  You can work as a lawyer for the government, law firms, non-profit organizations, corporations, yourself, or pursue a career teaching law.  You do not even have to practice law; a recent article in the ABA Journal featured how lawyers are being asked to lead some of America’s biggest corporations as their Chief Executive Officers.  The point is – you have options.  Options are important; they give you autonomy and flexibility.


Why am I sharing this with you?  Because many articles seem to recount the "doom and gloom" of obtaining employment as a lawyer, but such articles fail to consider the creativity and self-motivation of many J.D. holders.  A recent Wall Street Journal article discussed the dim prospects of employment for lawyers, especially new lawyers.  The article goes so far as to encourage those considering law school to reconsider. Really? How many degrees do you know of that will provide so many career options?  In his D Magazine article "Lawyers Don't Think Like the Rest of Us," Jason Heid highlights five vastly different career paths that evolved from having a J.D.  Mr. Heid notes “Juris doctorates are put to a myriad of uses, in an array of environments.”


So, what determines which career option is right for you?  Passion.  If you pursue your passion, you will not only succeed, you will be happy.  Cynthia Pladziewicz, Chief Development Office at Thompson & Knight in Dallas, advises “It’s important for a lawyer, I think, to be happy being a lawyer. There are different areas of the law that might better fit with their passions and their skills that could make them happier.”


The take-away: (1) don’t be discouraged by the “doom and gloom” articles; (2) you have made a wise investment that gives you career options; (3) identify your passion; and (4) allow that passion to motivate you to be creative in achieving a happy and successful career.

Your Success As An Attorney Does Not Depend On An Exam Grade.

In law school students incessantly worry over grades because the traditional law school mantra is: graduate with top grades and you will be a successful attorney. This requires acing law school exams. Then students enter the “real world,” which could care less about exam grades.

Mike Maslanka, managing partner of Ford & Harrison in Dallas, wrote in his Work Matters blog that law school exams fail to measure the skills necessary for law practice. He says “The lawyers I want working with me are those who have my back like I have theirs; who possess the character to speak up when they think I am wrong or am missing something; and who understand that being quiet and saying nothing is not the safe choice. Perhaps law schools were never meant to teach these qualities, but wouldn't it be nice if they tried?”

How do you develop those qualities? Here are my suggestions:

1. Get a mentor. Find an attorney whose character and attitude you admire.
2. Step outside of your box. If you are fearful of public speaking, try out for Mock Trial or Moot Court, or join a Toast Masters. If you shy from leadership positions, take on a leadership role or apply for a leadership class. Whatever you do, do what makes you uncomfortable – it will help you grow.
3. Consistently volunteer for a non-profit organization. Being able to help those less fortunate has a humbling effect and builds integrity. I have volunteered for Legal Aid of Northwest Texas since February 2006. Every time I volunteer I have the same feelings of “I am blessed,” and “I have a responsibility to help others.”
4. Put yourself out there. Take a strategic risk in law school or your career that could end up in rejection or possibly, failure. That risk could also lead to success. Either way, take a risk despite your fear.

Law school grades may get you an interview or an initial job, but they will not help you succeed in practice. As my mentor, Cordell Parvin, frequently says, “knowing the law is the price you pay to play in the game.” The other qualities are what will determine your success as an attorney.

Don't Give Up - You Will Get Your Tour Card.

Two days ago the Texas Board of Law Examiners released results for the February 2010 Bar exam.  This is similar to getting your Professional Golfers Association (PGA) tour card by completing their Tour Qualifying Tournament (Q-School).  Upon completion, golfers receive a "tour card" granting them membership to compete in elite golf tours like the PGA, LPGA, and European tours. 

But how many golfers do not get their card the first try?  Veteran professional golfer Jack O’Keefe was one of those golfers. O'Keefe turned pro in 1993 but did not finish Q-school on his first try. Almost three years later O’Keefe finished Q-school - on his second try.

Why am I sharing this with you?  Because I want you to know it is not the end of the world if you do not pass the Bar the first or even second try.

Believing in yourself is key.  Know and believe you are a good player, do not be discouraged, and more than anything- don't give up.  Your determination will pay off.  A good friend of mine is a perfect example of this mantra.  He took the Bar in July and did not pass.  Was it defeating?  Of course.  But as my friend said, he brushed himself off, evaluated what he could do different, and put his determination into action.  He was on Tuesday’s pass list.  Another good friend took the Texas Bar for the third time in February.  He was on Tuesday’s pass list. A successful attorney I know at a large firm told me she took the Bar three times before passing.

There are many similar stories.  My point – not passing the Bar is not the end of the world nor is it a reflection of what type of attorney you will be.  For those getting ready to take the July Bar – remember this.  Believe in yourself, don’t give up, and know you will get your tour card.

Secrets to a Successful Law Career.

Today I had the unique opportunity to talk with Staci Jennifer Riordan, Chair of the Fox Rothschild Fashion Law Practice Group. Staci grew up in the fashion industry; her family has worked in the industry for four generations.  Staci helped run the family business but knew she wanted to be a fashion lawyer, despite discouragement by others. Now, Staci is a preeminent national fashion lawyer.

Reflecting on my conversation, I came up with five lessons I learned from Staci.

1. It’s not about luck, it is about having a plan and working that plan. Staci created her plan prior to law school. She had direction.
2. Be aware of your background and figure out how it can help you. Staci grew up working in the family business, which gave her extensive knowledge of the fashion industry. She recognized this valuable asset and made it work for her.
3. Don’t be afraid to create your own path. Many people wanted to refer to Staci as a textile lawyer because it was unheard of to be a “fashion lawyer.” Staci envisioned being more than a textile lawyer, and she is. 
4. Be creative. As Staci stated, all you need is little creativity. In other words, step outside of your box.
5. Seize your opportunities, even if your head is covered in foil and hair coloring. Staci shared a story about a moment that impacted her entire career. During her 1L winter break, Staci was getting her hair colored and her hairdresser told her about an instrumental person in the fashion industry who also happened to be at the salon. What did Staci do? She seized the opportunity to introduce herself to that person – hair foils, coloring, and all. That introduction led to a job in the fashion industry, which led to a summer associate position at a large California firm, which led to a associate position with that firm.

I recommend you read Staci’s story– it is inspiring and filled with excellent advice. Learn from her example – create your own path and success will follow. And if you are interested in learning more about fashion law, visit Staci’s Fashion Law Blog.