Tips for Incoming Associates- How to make yourself valuable before you start

Through the Avocate network, I recently had the pleasure of talking with an incoming first year whose start date was delayed due to the pandemic.  If you are waiting to start your law firm job, there are a few things you can proactively do to stay top of mind and be ready to hit the ground running. 

1.       Stay in Touch

So basic.  So critical.   Send an email.  Ask for a call.  Even better, ask for a video call!  Ask for 15 minutes.  You don’t need a lot of time to make and maintain the connection.  And the partner or associate will be happy to carve out that time.  Email everyone you worked with as a summer to maintain those connections.  Especially focus on the people in the practice group you will be joining.  Don’t forget to reach out to both partners and associates.   You want the person(s) assigning work to be thinking of you for new projects and that can be both partners and associates.  You will hopefully find that one or more of the people you reach out to will be a mentor and ally. 

2.       Educate Yourself

If you already know the practice group you are joining, you know there is a lot to learn.  Take some time to ensure you know the basics - substantively, procedurally, key rules/regulations, and resources.   No need to guess.  Ask the partner or associate what resources they recommend for you to read and familiarize yourself with.   Two huge points here.  One, you are showing your true interest in the subject matter and willingness to invest your time to master that area of law.  Two, you are demonstrating some key character traits -- taking initiative and thinking ahead as to what will make you valuable and helpful to clients and your team. 

3.       Create Your “To-Do” List

Your future career is worth time investment and planning.   Calendar regular follow-ups based on the relationship you have with each person.   You will get a sense from them -- but also feel free to ask -- if you can follow up in a month or sooner depending on when your start date is.   Create a schedule for yourself for reviewing resources and stick to it (depending on the resource:  daily or weekly for online newsletters, weekly for reviewing chapters in a treatise, etc.)

4.       Be Enthusiastic (if you are!) and Genuine

I will never forget that one of the most valuable members of my team sought me out.   After I co-presented our practice to the new class of incoming associates, she came up to me and said “I want to work with you!”  I was happy to immediately add her to my team.  Working with quality people is key.  Working with people you like is also key.   Showing enthusiasm and interest will go a long way for both introductions and long term successful relationships. 

Susan Kayser is a partner at K&L Gates LLP. Susan is a nationally recognized IP litigator and counselor, having been named an “All Star” by Managing Intellectual Property; an “IP Trailblazer” by the National Law Journal; and consistently recognized by The Legal 500 US and the World Trademark Review as a leading trademark practitioner (both litigation and non-contentious). She services clients in the fashion, luxury, consumer products, food, and automotive industries on trademark, advertising, and copyright matters.