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A. Scott Chinn, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, IndyBar Masters Division Chair; Monica McCoskey, Paganelli Law Group, IndyBar Young Lawyers Division Chair
This is a joint column co-written monthly by the Chairs of the Masters Division and Young Lawyers Division to compare, contrast, and relate practicing law 25+ years ago to practicing law today. Each column will examine a new general subject.
Passing the Torch: Preserving Institutional Knowledge
For many new attorneys, the first few years in practice are an intensive initiation into the practice of law, testing the interaction between hard and soft skills. The law school curriculum is designed to teach you legal reasoning, analysis, brief writing, etc. But what about the real “how-tos” of practicing law?
Trial by Fire
New attorneys, lean into the intensity and be confident in your abilities. You can do this. Learning to think on your feet and take responsible risks allows you to create a name for yourself and find your own professional instinct. Being entrusted with real cases, clients, and appearances, even when it feels scary, builds professional credibility.
Senior attorneys, encourage exploration and release the reins, slowly but surely. Letting younger lawyers stumble through is a necessity for the future of our legal community. Stepping back rather than taking over creates a stronger young lawyer.
Watch and Learn
New attorneys, observation complements hands-on experience. Take every opportunity to sit second chair, ask to tag along, and internalize the practices you like for future use. Learning the subtle judgment calls and strategic decision making of those with years of experience will put you ahead of the curve.
Senior attorneys, embrace the young lawyer’s comfort with changing technologies, research tools, and approaches to problem solving. Rediscover your curiosity. At the same time, pick your spots (i.e., when it is most helpful) to impart the wisdom that has hopefully come with experience as an important part of passing the torch.
Be a Sponge
New attorneys, soak up everything you can from those around you and absorb the knowledge for future use. Over time, the buildup of information, advice, and observation will allow you to form your own practice.
Senior attorneys, pause, reflect, and e-examine your own methods. Be willing to articulate and explain your reasoning to promote engagement and collaboration.
Knowledge is circular. And some methods to enhance knowledge are timeless and generationally agnostic – taking a genuine interest in the success of others, intellectual curiosity, generosity of spirit toward others’ views, and willingness to change one’s mind when facts demand. The real strength of the legal community is the exchange of knowledge through continuous learning.
A. Scott Chinn is a partner at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP where he represents public and private clients in state, municipal, and public sector legal matters. He provides advisory, transactional, and general counsel representation for public finance, procurement, regulatory, infrastructure, environmental, and economic development matters. Prior to joining the firm, he served as counsel to Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson and as Corporation Counsel to the City of Indianapolis. Chinn currently serves as the Chair of the Masters Division, is a member of the IndyBar Board of Directors, and is a past president. Chinn is also a Distinguished and Life Fellow of the IndyBar Foundation. He earned his B.A. from Indiana University and his J.D. from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
Monica McCoskey is an attorney with Paganelli Law Group where her practice concentrates on business and real estate litigation. Prior to joining Paganelli Law Group, McCoskey was an associate attorney with a law firm in Northern Indiana, where she practiced securities litigation and represented plaintiffs and defendants in various legal matters. She is the Chair of the Young Lawyers Division, a member of the IndyBar Board of Directors, and Co-Chair of the Social Subcommittee for the Litigation Section’s Executive Committee. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and her J.D. from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law.
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