Zachary Niceley: Showing up matters: Advice for new attorneys on being in office

During syllabus week of my sophomore year of college, my “Introduction to Accounting” professor stated that simply showing up to every single class would secure you a “B” for the semester. His reason behind this policy was that frequently in life simply showing up matters most.

New attorneys, i.e., those in their first post-law school jobs in an era where remote learning and working is more common than ever, may be tempted to minimize time spent in the office based on “work from home” policies. However, as a newer associate myself, I’d like to propose to my peers that physically showing up in the office is a valuable early investment in your career development and future success.

Law school may teach you how to think like a lawyer, but it does not fully prepare you for how legal work gets done day in and day out. Much of the practical knowledge you will gain as a new attorney comes from observing and participating in real-time collaboration. When you are physically present, you are more likely to overhear conversations between colleagues, see how senior attorneys handle issues and witness impromptu strategy discussions. These moments are often informal and unplanned — they don’t show up in scheduled Microsoft Teams meetings.

The same can be said for simple interactions like chatting in the hallway, grabbing coffee or listening to old “war stories” told by a senior partner. They help people get to know you beyond your work product. These small connections build rapport and camaraderie. When opportunities arise, supervisors are more likely to think of someone they know personally and see regularly. These valuable, informal interactions extend beyond the four walls of the office. While it may be tempting to skip your company’s annual summer cookout, real relationships are built when work isn’t the topic of conversation. Do you think a partner is more likely to assign an important case to the associate with whom he or she connects with on a personal level, or the associate with whom he or she only knows professionally?

Early career development also blossoms with mentorship, which happens more naturally in person. While some organizations may assign mentors, the most meaningful guidance often comes through spontaneous interactions like quick check-ins, casual advice or real-time feedback. You can ask quick questions without the formality of scheduling meetings, and mentors can provide immediate insight when reviewing your work. In person, real-time feedback is also richer. It is certainly startling when you receive the draft that you worked so diligently on full of redlines. But it is much easier to clarify what your supervisor means in person versus interpreting their critiques via email.

Finally, every organization has its own culture — its unwritten rules about communication, work style and professional expectations. These nuances are rarely captured in policy documents or training manuals. Instead, they are absorbed through observation and daily interaction.

By spending time in the office, you gain a clearer sense of how things actually work. You see how formal or informal communication tends to be and you also become attuned to expectations around responsiveness, availability, and professionalism. The early years of practice are as much about developing confidence as they are about building technical skills. Being in the office accelerates this process by placing you in an environment where you can regularly engage with colleagues, ask questions and test your understanding.

The act of showing up — of being part of discussions, contributing ideas and taking ownership of tasks — reinforces your identity as a professional. Over time, you become more comfortable speaking up in meetings, engaging with clients and handling complex assignments. This confidence does not emerge in isolation. It is shaped by feedback, interaction and experiences, all of which are amplified when you are physically present in
your workplace.

Despite the temptations that existed on a big college campus, I made it to every single class session of “Introduction to Accounting” that semester and received a higher grade than a “B.” It’s amazing what happens when one simply shows up.•

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Niceley is an associate with Kroger Gardis & Regas LLC.