2: Rely On but Mistrust Forms

Lawyers rely on forms all the time. One, it saves time and two, it saves their clients' money. Why reinvent the wheel every time? So, clearly you want to use forms when possible.

But there is a “but” coming. How do you know your form is a good one? Even if it is from your employer, it may have mistakes in it. Or parts of it may not pertain to your client's situation. Using a form can make you look smart, or bad. In the worst cases, it makes you look lazy and stupid. The number of times we've seen lawyers use forms incorrectly makes our heads spin and we've made sure never to use those attorneys again. This is a one strike and you're out rule.

So, while lawyers use forms all the time, have a baseline mistrust of all of them and even more doubt as a junior lawyer, especially the first time you use a form. If you don't know what every paragraph in a form means and how it applies to your particular situation, do not use the form. Find a resource to explain what that form is trying to do. Find a senior associate, mentor, Google result, or anything to teach you what is going on before you commit a large legal sin.