It seems I’m hearing less “why” and more “why should I?” from law students and younger lawyers. Here’s my advice for law firm interns.
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I’ve been a party to the following conversations many times over the past couple of years.
Me: “Would you please request Mr. Client’s medical records?”
Intern: 1) “Do I have to?” 2) “Can’t you just do it yourself?” 3) “I don’t have time.” 4) “I was told I don’t have to.”
Me: “Did you get that document for me?”
Intern: 1) “No, but here’s the number so you can call on it.” 2) “The dog ate it.”
OK, I’m kidding about the last one. But I’m beginning to think that’s only because our last batch of interns didn’t own pets. Seriously, sometimes I feel like I’m dealing with middle schoolers rather than grown-up people in a law office. I wonder whether it’s because I’m the old and cranky one now, or because the interns really are behaving like middle schoolers.
Advice for Law Firm Interns
When my children were young, I never resorted to saying, “Because I said so, that’s why.” I didn’t think that just because they were smaller than me and lacked life experience, they weren’t entitled to know why I had asked them to do or not do something. Besides, by explaining the towels needed to go into the laundry room hamper so they wouldn’t mildew under the bed, I thought the towels had a better chance of getting to the hamper. (I was wrong about that one.)
I thought our law school interns were entitled to the same respect.
I had exceptional mentors when I was a law clerk and young lawyer, and I always appreciated their explanations. Thanks to their wisdom, rather than simply checking tasks off my list, I was building an understanding of the process and the law. Consequently, I try always to explain why I am asking for something and why it should be done a certain way. My hope is the task will then make sense, and the student or young lawyer will gain an understanding of the process, where their work fits in, and maybe, just maybe, learn something.
Apparently, though, learning on the job is not as important as I think it is.
‘Do I Have To?’
I’ve found the same attitude in young lawyers who call to ask for advice. When I spend 45 minutes on the phone explaining in great detail the steps I recommend, who should take those steps — i.e., the lawyer, not his assistant — and, most importantly, why those steps should work, the last thing I expect to hear in response is, “Do I have to?”
Yet, I have heard it dozens of times.
I try to remain professional when I respond, but I really want to say, “Nah, I was just messing with ya — do whatever you want.”
I know, I am “old school” and of a different time. Still, my advice to law school interns and young lawyers is to admit they don’t know everything about the practice of law after two years of law school, or even two years of practice.
Unfortunately, I have concluded many of the young lawyers who call for advice are actually calling to see if I might give them a form letter or do their work for them. Spoiler alert: I won’t.
Instead of working hard to avoid working, the way to success is working hard.
Because I Said So
Here’s a reminder to young lawyers who reach out to me or any other senior lawyer: If you don’t have substantive questions or follow-ups, you should probably just take the advice as offered. And yes, I understand that is perilously close to “because I said so.” But maybe “because I said so” is good enough in this case.
Or, maybe, if you’d listen to senior lawyers’ explanations and recommendations, consider them, and follow up with good questions, you would gain a deeper understanding of the work.
I’d also like to remind interns that, should they find themselves in a grown-up lawyer job someday, it will not go over well to invite their supervising attorney to take care of assigned work themselves. (Even if they generously provide the contact information for the person they needed to call.)
Cranky me knows there is no substitute for hard work, and that asking someone for advice is a great idea. Old, cranky me also knows gathering advice is quite different from asking for it and ignoring it.
The Question Rarely Asked
In the first years of my career, I worked hard to understand my job. I never asked my supervising attorneys whether I had to do something they’d assigned, but I almost always asked why. And that is the question, much to my disappointment, I rarely hear.
When I asked my mentors why something was done a certain way, their answers almost always gave me a new insight or tactic. I also learned new ways to analyze cases and come up with creative moves. Much of what I learned in years one and two stuck with me. Ultimately, that foundation allowed me to be a more creative, innovative lawyer … because I understood what I was doing, and why.
I urge law firm interns and young lawyers to do the same: Ask good questions and do the work. In my cranky, old lawyer opinion, it’s the only way to learn.
So, yes, I am happy to answer your questions. All I ask in return is that you humor me. Nod occasionally, take some notes and most of all, if you intend to completely ignore my advice or request, don’t announce your intention to do so.
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