Articles

English: Overcoming fear of failure and other advice to new attorneys

No one expects you to know all of the answers as soon as you are sworn in. It’s called the practice of law for a reason. When it comes to making mistakes, the question isn’t if — it’s when. Most of the tasks you will receive, you have never done before. Do your best work, but also accept that you’re going to mess up at some point.

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Tough transition: Young lawyers say early struggles lead to attorney growth

A recent survey of young Florida attorneys found that roughly 58 percent say the practice of law has become “less desirable” to them as their years in practice have increased. But facing difficulties doesn’t mean the next generation of Indiana lawyers are preparing to switch careers. Rather, they say the struggles they encountered, though painful at the time, have improved their skills as client advocates.

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New lawyers told to remember lessons from home

The 2018 Indiana bar swearing-in ceremony had a definite family feel as leaders in the Indiana legal profession prompted the new attorneys to remember to be polite, to listen and to always help others whenever they can.

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Winingham: Unsolicited advice for new lawyers

I have essentially been a “new lawyer” twice — the first time as a newly admitted lawyer in Illinois (Chicago) in 2015, and the second time as a newly admitted lawyer in Indiana (Indianapolis) in 2017. So, if I know anything, it’s what it feels like to be a new lawyer. This has provided me with some perspective on what a new lawyer can do to help him or herself get ahead of the curve.

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Raman: Congratulations on graduation, and welcome to the profession

It is hard to believe that nearly four years have passed since I walked across the stage, received my diploma, passed the bar exam and started practicing law at Lewis Wagner LLP. I wanted to provide new lawyers, especially those who just graduated from law school, with some tips that I believe are critical to hit the ground running.

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Taking on the system, ‘Dreamers’ get law degrees

Denia Perez’s parents brought her from Mexico to the United States illegally when she was 11 months old. Last month, she became among the first of the so-called “Dreamers” to earn a law degree. And now, she and others are using their lawyerly know-how to take on the system so they can legally practice.

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