Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

About the Authors

Acknowledgments

Why We Wrote This Book

CHAPTER 1: The Divide Between Law School and Lawyering

CHAPTER 2: The Core Concepts of Lawyering

Empathy

Listen First, Talk Second

Ask Questions

Always (Usually) Give Advice

CHAPTER 3: Understanding the Importance of Law School Rankings on Your Future

CHAPTER 4: Classic Coursework (What Is It Good For?)

Torts

Contracts

Civil Procedure

Property

Criminal Law

Constitutional Law

Legal Methods/Writing/Research

Evidence

Ethics and Professional Responsibility

CHAPTER 5: Choosing Proper Electives

CHAPTER 6: What Should You Get Out of Law School?

CHAPTER 7: Be a Fiduciary

Principle 1: Know If You're Acting as a Fiduciary and on Whose Behalf

Principle 2: Slow Down

Principle 3: Seek Advice and Help

Principle 4: Always Put Your Clients' Interests Ahead of Your Own

CHAPTER 8: A Short Primer on Negotiations

Negotiation Tactics

What Really Matters?

Preparing for the Negotiation

A Brief Introduction to Game Theory

Negotiating Win-Win Agreements

Negotiating Other Games

Negotiating Styles and Approaches

Collaborative Negotiation Versus Walk-Away Threats

Building Leverage and Getting to Yes

Notes

CHAPTER 9: Preparing for the Job Hunt

You on Paper

Social Media

Telling the Story

Networking into Employers

Mindset

Career Placement Services

CHAPTER 10: The Bar Exam

CHAPTER 11: You Got the Job—There Is No Time for Rest

CHAPTER 12: The Fourteen Commandmentsfor New Lawyers (Okay, How about“Strong Suggestions”?)

1: Have a Learning Mindset

2: Rely On but Mistrust Forms

3: Beware of the Foggy Project Trap

4: Never Consider Anything That Goes to a Senior Colleague or Client to Be a “Draft”

5: Be More Organized Than Others

6: Take Ownership Without Request

7: Invest in Your Management Skills

8: Have a Three- to Five-Year Horizon

9: Plan to Develop Near-Term and Long-Term Advantages

10: Understand How to Best Use and Foster Mentor Relationships

11: Flatten Hierarchies

12: Own Your Mistakes

13: Know What a Junior Lawyer's Value Is

14: Keep Your Own List

Bonus Commandment for Those Working with Contracts!

CHAPTER 13: Common Mistakes New Lawyers Make That Limit Careers and Anger Clients

Forgetting You Are in the Services Industry

Getting Frustrated and Thinking People Are Idiots

Having Loose Lips

Assuming Each State Has the Same Laws

Treating Administrative Staff Poorly

Having a Sexual Relationship at Work

Being Inconsiderate of Others' Calendars

Forgetting You Are the Leverage

Forgetting Who the Client Is

Assuming Other Lawyers Are Good People

Shortchanging Research

Failing to Understand Basic Intellectual Property Law

Talking to Another Attorney's Client Without the Attorney

Screwing Up Billing (If You Bill Clients by the Hour)

CHAPTER 14: Relationships, Difficult Personalities, and Being the Calmest Person in the Room

Challenging Personalities

The Lawyer's Job When It Comes to Challenging Personalities

General Approaches to Managing Challenging Personalities

Sampling of Challenging Personalities and Tips for Dealing with Them

Parting Thoughts

Note

CHAPTER 15: Understanding Current Technology

CHAPTER 16: Words from the Wise

Guest Chapter 1

Guest Chapter 2

Guest Chapter 3

Guest Chapter 4

Guest Chapter 5

Guest Chapter 6

Guest Chapter 7

Guest Chapter 8

Guest Chapter 9

Guest Chapter 10

Guest Chapter 11

Guest Chapter 12

Guest Chapter 13

Guest Chapter 14

Guest Chapter 15

Guest Chapter 16

Guest Chapter 17

Guest Chapter 18

Guest Chapter 19

Guest Chapter 20

Guest Chapter 21

Guest Chapter 22

Guest Chapter 23

Guest Chapter 24

Notes

CHAPTER 17: What Clients Want

What Clients Liked

What Clients Didn't Like

CHAPTER 18: Law School as a “Second Career”

Entrance into Law School

Getting a Job

CHAPTER 19: How to Be a Happy Lawyer

Have an Identity Outside of Being a Lawyer

Take Pride in Your Work and the Impact It Has on Others

Keep a Continually Learning Mindset

Don't Get Too Wrapped Up in Your Work

Manage Your Stress

Watch Your Drug Consumption

Never Compromise Your Value System

Don't Forget to Laugh and Celebrate the Wins

Internalize the Losses, But Don't Dwell on Them

Work with Clients You Really Like

Have a Great Surrounding Team

Set Boundaries for Your Personal Life

What to Do When You Are Not Happy

CHAPTER 20: What If You Don't Want to Be a Lawyer Anymore?

CHAPTER 21: Let's Sum Up

Index

End User License Agreement List of Illustrations

Chapter 14

FIGURE 14.1 Challenging Personality Traits Belonging to Each Challenging Per...