For a lawyer who’s thinking about striking out on their own and starting a firm, there are naturally pros and cons. You gain more autonomy in how you practice, but lose the structure of an established firm. You get to choose how you run your business, but you also take on more risk.
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The digital transformation of the legal industry went into overdrive the last few months. With in-person meetings and large gatherings canceled for the foreseeable future, networking virtually has become the norm. While networking virtually has made it easier than ever to reach out to a stranger and connect, virtual interactions can still feel awkward and unnatural.
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I’m a young lawyer. I started law school in 2010, which was a scary time to be entering the profession. Jobs had disappeared and a scarcity mindset had taken root. I was relieved when I managed to find work, first as an appellate clerk, and then at several mid-size Seattle firms. But relief and satisfaction […]
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There are few moments in life as pivotal as taking the bar exam. Being a lawyer is a dream, a life’s journey that has been incubating for years. But first you have to know the password to get in. So much hinges on this exam: mountains of debt; the expectations of friends and family; and, of […]
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The Young Lawyer Liaisons to Sections provide a vital link between new and young lawyers and WSBA’s sections, opening new leadership opportunities while also strengthening connections with WSBA sections. Jordan Couch, a workers’ compensation attorney for Palace Law, is one such liaison. Couch’s term as the Solo and Small Practice section liaison is expiring this […]
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WSBA Communications Specialist Colin Rigley gets a taste of the conversation and keys to success heard inside WSBA’s recent MetorLink Mixer. At a packed MentorLink Mixer in the WSBA Conference Center on May 15, Roger Moss, a Seattle attorney and mediator, spent the afternoon sitting with a rotating batch of other lawyers — some younger, some […]
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Nearly two years ago, the Washington State Bar Association launched a creative new way for lawyers to earn free MCLE credits through one-on-one mentorships. It’s a program that deserves your attention. Although the Self-Directed Structured Mentoring Program may not have the catchiest name, the system behind that mouthful of syllables is elegantly designed to encourage […]
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Celebrate Pro Bono is next week – here’s what you should know about this national celebration.
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Are you a new or young lawyer who would like to participate in this year’s Trial Advocacy Program (TAP)? Apply for the New Lawyer Programs Scholarship by Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. If you haven’t heard of WSBA’s Trial Advocacy Program, it’s a two-day intensive trial-skills training seminar led by local trial attorneys. It culminates in […]
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Each of the three law schools in Washington state has a student government position dedicated to connecting law students with WSBA programs and initiatives and to support the broader legal community. WSBA is excited to introduce you to the law student representatives elected this spring to serve during the 2017-2018 school year!
Read More… National Mentorship Month is underway, and the WSBA is rolling out informative workshops, a free Legal Lunchbox, free MentorLink Mixers, programs for credit, and more. There’s something for everyone, regardless of your area of practice or years in law. Plan to attend one or more of these events. And, throughout the year, you can use […]
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Congratulations to everyone who passed the July 2016 bar exam! Of the 757 candidates, 533 candidates passed the exam.
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A trial is challenging, exhilarating and exhausting. It can also be an excellent opportunity for a junior associate to learn an incredible amount and gain significant experience in a relatively short period of time. With relentless preparation and with active mentorship, a new associate can maximize his or her early trial opportunities and can be […]
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Congratulations to Portland attorney Bonnie Richardson, recipient of the 2016 Multnomah Bar Association (MBA) Professionalism Award! This honor is presented to lawyers who exemplify the highest ethical standards and conduct in the practice of law and who make the practice of law more enjoyable. The award was presented in May at the MBA’s 110th Annual […]
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In my capacity as associate director of professional development at Seattle University School of Law, I work with students and alumni on crafting job search strategies. A big focus of my career counseling centers on encouraging students and grads to network. Even though networking is effective, it’s a tough sell.
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