New York State Bar Association’s Post

The obligatory shot from today’s day out (the walk from tube -> meeting). From today there are many great takeaways, but to be clear… If you’re a lawyer looking for a new role in the City then the hot topic is still ‘sector focus’. So, one thing I’ll do for you if we work together is talk through the law firms that are actually investing into the sector you work in. This is to help forge a plan of where to target with your searches - not just talk about where has an active and live job in that space. This means you will be more successful in finding the right role, and you should progress faster when you’re in it. I will be back in the office the rest of the week, so get in touch if you’re considering your options!

In a new Q&A, Sam Jockel, 34, talks about how he made partner at Alston & Bird in Washington, D.C. 𝗤: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿? A: "This is cliché, but find work that energizes you and that you’re passionate about. For a junior associate, this requires taking control (to the extent you can) over what practice group you’re initially placed in. And, if you find that your strengths lie elsewhere or you have an interest in exploring another area of the law or a particular industry focus, look for opportunities to try out different work." Read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gqQq3ZZV

In a new Q&A, Sam Jockel, 34, talks about how he made partner at Alston & Bird in Washington, D.C. 𝗤: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿? A: "This is cliché, but find work that energizes you and that you’re passionate about. For a junior associate, this requires taking control (to the extent you can) over what practice group you’re initially placed in. And, if you find that your strengths lie elsewhere or you have an interest in exploring another area of the law or a particular industry focus, look for opportunities to try out different work." Read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gqQq3ZZV

A new Super Lawyers case study is now available! The Feinberg, Mindel, Brandt & Klein case study conveys the importance of the Super Lawyers designation, the creative ways they promote their selection, how Super Lawyers strengthens the firm’s referral network, and more. View it here >> https://gag.gl/MMW69n

A new Super Lawyers case study is now available! The Feinberg, Mindel, Brandt & Klein case study conveys the importance of the Super Lawyers designation, the creative ways they promote their selection, how Super Lawyers strengthens the firm’s referral network, and more. View it here >> https://gag.gl/MMW69n

Our recent Journal edition included an article by FJA EAGLE member Doris Laing. "We are 'representative[s] of clients.' We are 'officer[s] of the legal system.' We are intimately familiar with these roles as we spend exorbitant amounts of time fulfilling them. In fact, these roles are our trenches; and it is within our trenches where we gain and hone our specialized knowledge and expertise — our superpower." Read Doris' full article here: https://buff.ly/4alC0zu

I nearly missed it! Happy International "Be Kind to a Lawyer" day to all my colleagues. Although the day is nearly done, hats off to those who can draft a 10,000-word document and just call it a "brief" (all tongue in cheek of course!). It’s a special skill, indeed, to wade through a barrage of words, and emerge with something that’s, well, supposedly brief. So, to my fellow lawyers and colleagues, may your summaries always be sharp, your arguments persuasive, and your day recognition-filled. Here’s to the art of making 'brief' a relative term. And lastly- whilst we are on the topic of kindness- let's be kind to each other every day, not just on this day earmarked in the calendar. If you are ever needing more days on the calendar to receive some kindness, remember, at Spence Attorneys, you get that kindness, every day :)

Calling all legal minds!  Dive into discussions about the 2nd Circuit on 'Let's talk 2nd Circuit!' forum. Share insights, connect with professionals, and broaden your legal perspective. https://lnkd.in/gtrEu-y5 #LegalDiscussions #2ndCircuitLaw #LegalCommunity

Huge day at the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry today. The ex General Counsels’ evidence will continue tomorrow (worth every in house lawyer watching), but an unexpected aspect to note in the meantime is the considerate tone Sir Wyn Williams has set for the Inquiry. //The day is relatively and unexpectedly short, in acknowledgment of the intensity, to support teams and witnesses. //Sessions themselves are structured in short bursts, including barristers taking their steer from Sir Wyn not to push too long. //The ship is tight but timetable is flexed to allow space - not putting pace before purpose. //The sentiment is piercing but respectful. //Well-being is acknowledged in a number of ways. //The tech, audio-visual and the physical space itself have been well put together to make it easy to participate. These are uncommonly excellent things that we would do well to build and extend in the legal system everywhere. Tone from the top is a demonstrable thing, obvious in the unfolding details of case itself, and in how its unravelling is being run.

“Please don’t tell me to move on” At Examinations for Discovery, on occasion, I encounter witnesses that are evasive and do anything but answer the question posed. My strategy is to listen their response that is intended to distract me from my question (which may yield useful evidence in its own right) and then simply re-ask my question. If Counsel rudely tells me to move on, my response is as follows: “Counsel, please don’t tell me to move on. I am here to conduct this discovery in a professional and respectful manner. If you take objection to my question, you are welcome to refuse it and then I will state why I believe it’s relevant for the record.” Don’t let opposing counsel push you around. Be firm, but respectful, and please, don’t tell anyone to move on. As always, if you found this post helpful, please like and share for maximum reach.