FIVE ROADBLOCKS YOU'D MOST LIKELY HIT FIRST YEAR AFTER LAW SCHOOL

   So the easier days have come and gone by now. NYSC year (not counted this year when talking about the first year after Law school) arrives and it's done and over with. And then it's time to face the real world; of Court Cases and Clients and hopefully, favorable Jurys and Upright Judges.  Well, I'd tell you this. Your first year? Yeah, you'd definitely have some flops. It's normal. Sorta.  Others have and have survived. Doesn't mean you have to carry out these same errors too, especially when it's listed out here for you to avoid as often as you can. Let's get on with it, shall we?

 1. Sitting At The Wrong Side At The Bar Table:
 The commonly held perception of this is:  The Police on the left and the Lawyer gets the right. However, simply because each court and each magistrate has it's own peculiar rules, jumping into assumptions might turn out to be an action that could be rather embarrassing at the end of the day (and as a fresh-out-of-the-oven Lawyer, nothing is more unappealing.) Whether you're expected to stand, and the spot at which to or to be seated depends on the proceedings. In Pretrial cases, a Lawyer is often expected to stand by the Counsel, in front of the Judge or seated. At trial, Lawyers mostly sit at the counsel table and are expected to be upstanding when addressing the Judge or questioning as a Prosecutor, while Prosecuted persons/witnesses are expected to be seated closest to the Jury Box.  Do your homework. All the time.

 2. Mediocre Legal Writing And Proof-Reading Skills:
Typographical errors, Grammatical mistakes, and  misspelt words can be a glaring sign of a lackadaisical attitude towards your responsibilities in the long run. This is why it is important to strive to put together your documented drafts, statements and notes with utmost care and attention. Go over affidavits and figures and citations properly. All citations mentioned should be as specific, concise, convincible and consistent as possible. The commonly exhibited errors; wrong use of punctuation marks and abbreviations must be avoided. "It's" differs from Its. "Am" is distinct from "I'm." Dates should be properly affixed, monetary amounts in numerical and written forms. Statements going to the court must be penned with utmost formality and deep regard.  Put your words and sentences together in a proper manner because one word could make plenty difference (which could be a good and a bad thing. Proceed with caution.) All of these at the end of the day add up to just how respected and regarded you'd be perceived by peers, clients and seniors and all others.

  3. Lack Of Respect For Deadline:
All legal projects naturally come with extremely tight schedules. Religiously sticking to deadlines, due dates, multi-tasking and prioritizing obligations is essential. At the beginning stage, it's easy to succumb to the belief that you have your senior members, administrative team and other staffs to keep track of these things and monitor you overtime, to ensure due dates are duely met.  And you do! (As a beginner. They sure as hell won't let you mess it all up. Lucky you, eh?) However, this can eventually lead to over-reliance and would eventually be perceived as lack of seriousness. Endeavor to inquire of deadline, important calendar dates, and carry out follow-ups when need be.  It's rather dangerous to always assume that senior attorneys that you're working on a case with have all these important data in mind unfailingly. What we don't recognize is that Senior Attorneys regard the Junior staffs underneath them as a means of lightening their burdens while they simply carry out minuscule reviews and give much-needed answers to whatsoever questions you may have, and they would naturally expect you to live up to the task. They would expect that you take charge of assigned cases with dexterity, passion and the right attitude. All these safeguard ethical standards, your accountability and the good-standing reputation of all of whom and what you're representing.

 4. Client-to-Lawyer Relationship:
Formation of a tight-fitted and cordial (to an extent) relationship with a client assigned to is equivalent to overall success. It would most likely strike you as somewhat stressful and burdensome as a result of all the procedures involved, but to be able to carry out your duties properly, get adequate information, and even have a couple of ideas how the case would most likely go down, it is your duty to ensure there are no secrets or loopholes with probabilities of springing up in the nearest future and diming the chances of a successful case. Put it the effort to get along with your client as naturally as possible. Take notes frequently, take notes in your head. Exhibit unity, even in court. It helps so as to be prepared for anything. Many Lawyers who have been in this Profession for a good number of years usually tell of how startled they are when advocates for clients don't follow the correct appeal procedures, when judgments are passed on a client they're apparently defending.  What is expected that the Client and Advocate exit the court to confer and agree and then the advocate seeks appeal at the registry and if possible, bail.  All as orderly and calm as possible.

    5. Inability To See The Tactfulness Of The Profession:
  Not every Profession operates strictly under the 9-5 work hours of the average job. Just like Doctors, not every obligation would be convenient.  Client's needs could spring up at odd hours, weekends or off days. Notwithstanding, as a Lawyer, it is your obligation to respond to such needs when critical, and with great tactfulness. It won't be your most favorite time at the job, no doubt about that, but it shouldn't be regarded as optional either, and don't start making the mistake of expecting others to clean up after you and cover up during those inconvenience hours, if it can be avoided. The Quintessential Lawyer is one who should be grounded and prepared to give it all to keep the client happy. Ask questions, read advance sheets, consistently learn, and keep in mind always that your reputation and perceived Integrity is the biggest thing you have right now. All of these immensely contribute to advancement and promotion up that ladder.

 So there you go. Run from these ones. Go ye forth, and rule your world - Glo (Oh yeah, and love what you do too! It's important.)  

Written by: Imaobong Asuquo (Student, Freelance Writer, Personal Development Blogger at LemonsLemonade.com)

 Brought to you by Ivy League Law Firm