I recently attended an association meeting focused on discussing the unique needs and perspectives of first generation law students. Four lawyers, varying in their years out from attending law school, were interviewed during the event and asked questions about their experiences. Listening to them describe what they went through - their fears, worries, trepidation about asking questions, not knowing what they felt they should know, overwhelming, and basic misunderstandings - I couldn’t help but be reminded of my own experiences when I first started working at a law firm. The sense of entering a world where everyone spoke another language and knew certain codes of conduct that I was completely unaware of was palpably felt during those first few months for me. Additionally, not knowing who to ask or how to go about learning this new world made me feel isolated in my ignorance.
My non-law background
I, like the lawyers interviewed, do not have law in my background and am a first generation college graduate. My grandparents came from bakeries, my mother was a cake decorator, and although my father worked in finance he never attended a university. In our family we believed college was important, but there wasn’t any real guidance on how to go about making that happen, or how to plan a path for it. I worked full time to pay for my education, and because of that did not follow the traditional four year path. I spent my early working years in several customer service oriented jobs, even did some manual labor, and eventually made my way to finance with the loving support and consistent urging of my sister.
Then I left the West Coast to go explore the East.
I moved to Washington, D.C. with a friend, and was while I was looking for a job to stay afloat in this expensive city, it did not escape my attention that D.C. was full of law firms. Financial services, where I had experience to offer, were a bit more scarce, so I opted to try the law firm route instead. I was offered the position of Legal Recruiting Coordinator at a medium sized law firm with a gorgeous view of the Washington Harbour, and was thrilled to accept. Coming from a coordinator position in finance, I concluded those skills would transfer nicely into another coordinator position. What about those prickly lawyers, you might’ve asked? Well, all my years in customer service would apply to that! I was going to be the perfect fit.
Or so I thought (and luckily so did the law firm at the time).
What I would soon find out was very much akin to what those first generation law students were speaking about, and how I introduced this post. Law is a different world, and there is not a lot out there that prepares you for handling it if you don’t have some idea of what you’re getting yourself into. Within less then a week I knew I was in over my head - not because I couldn’t do the work, thankfully, but because I was simply finding myself lost in almost every conversation. It took an enormous amount of carefully asked questions, dodging, and weaving to keep up the appearance that I knew what I was doing. But behind closed doors (actually they were cubicle walls) I was frantically researching and attempting to absorb as much law culture information I could possibly find to save myself from drawing yet another blank in the next conversation. I’d never felt that I was floundering in any situation before, but was getting an intimate introduction to the feeling now.
Just Breathe
I’m going to take a moment here to relieve any anxiety you might be feeling now about how my first year in a law firm ended up turning out. It was fine. More than fine, actually, because I ended up really enjoying the work and the people, and they seemed to be pleased with the work I did as well. So much so they gave me an award. There were mis-steps and embarrassing conversations that happened along the way, for my performance certainly wasn’t perfect, but it worked out for me and it will work out for you too even if you’re feeling the way I was back in those early days.
Breathe.
Back to the beginning. There I am, putting my best well high-heeled foot forward but internally in the weeds of an imposter syndrome that had blind-sided me. I joined WALRAA during this time, the Washington Area Legal Recruiters Administrators Association. I attended every meeting they offered. I listened to the lectures, made friends with other members, and participated in discussions when I felt I had something to offer (which, let's face it, wasn't often). It was good to be around others who were working in similar roles as my own and to hear their experiences and thoughts. It was great to think about law firm recruiting on a broader level, and tackling diversity, empowerment, and career growth tailored to the specific needs of the law students we legal recruiters target. These were big, important topics for our firms, and being able to listen and participate in discussions surrounding those issues helped me gain a deeper understanding of my own role.
But there was still a gap in my understanding that WALRAA didn’t seem to have the resources to fill.
The association, wonderful as it is, is rightly focused on how to provide better service to our lawyers and law students. What I was looking for, however, was how to become a person who understands how to work at a law firm. That workshop never materialized, and those connections were never made, unfortunately. Instead, I did at WALRAA what I did at my firm, and followed the age-old wisdom of fake it until you make it. Perhaps it wasn’t exactly what I’d hoped for, but it did work and I’m very happy to be a part of that association to this day. Now that I have my law-sea-legs a bit more under me, I realize how fortunate I am to live in a city with such active and passionate participants. One day, when I’m on a panel maybe I’ll get to speak to those newbies like myself.
Until then this blog is how I’m trying to address that gap.
I started writing here for the first-generation-legal-recruiting-professional, and I will attempt to keep my approach directed there for the most part. I want this to be a place where someone who is brand new to the legal world can come, read, and understand a little more bit by bit. Where it is ok to be new, to have no background, and to not know what you don’t know. There IS a lot to know, and if anybody knows that intimately well, it’s me.
You’re in good company! I’m still learning too.
I love what I do and am happy I made the transition from finance to law, but there is still more to know that I have yet to stumble upon. Still dance moves I don’t know, still times I blindly crash into another unsuspecting dancer. Here, you can learn the steps along with me.
Help me help you
Please feel free to reach out with any questions, article suggestions, or stories. I’m no expert yet, but I’m always willing to listen. I like this legal recruiting professional dance and hope to make it easier for you to follow. Help is always appreciated!
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