IT'S OK TO ASK FOR HELP! My first year out of law school, I was working as a staff attorney for a labor union local, handling adverse personnel actions and discrimination cases. My manager showed little interest in training me. Then, she went on maternity leave and never came back. I soon found myself as the sole in-house attorney for a 7,000 member union. And I started to panic. The first thing I did was to reach out to the state bar and enroll in their counseling program. Most attorneys were there for mental health and substance abuse issues. However, I knew that if I did not find a sounding board apart from the workplace, I was not going to be able to manage the situation. Next, I connected with an attorney in private practice who could assist me with the basic blocking and tackling of administrative law. she was a criminal defense lawyer and also a friend of the union's lobbyist. She patiently answered my questions and I tried not to ask the same one twice. These two steps ensured that I had the support I needed to handle the immediate needs of our members. Over time, we brought on a paralegal and a law student intern to assist me. when it was time for me to move on from this first job, I had a hand in selecting my successor and training him. My clients, the ALJ's I practiced before, and even opposing counsel came to appreciate my dedication. Before I left, I created a handbook to help our members understand their rights and responsibilities in the workplace. The bottom line is that people are more than happy to help you early in your career, all you need is the courage to ask. #mentoring
Brian Scrocca
11mo
Amen, David! And those in the position to help others benefit from as the mentor - when you teach something, you learn it twice!
Consultant/Speaker/Interviewer and Host of End Of The Day With Ray! CEO/Founder
11moDavid Finz, Esq., RPLU Great share and reminder. Those wishing to lead must have the courage to acknowledge their weaknesses and seek out those who can compensate for them.