I’ve been practicing law for twelve years now. Where does the time go? Anyway, free advice is usually overpriced, but here are my thoughts:
· Mentors: In the early years of your practice, you REALLY learn to practice (hopefully) from your partner/mentor, etc. within the firm. Consider that issue carefully.
· The Firm: You may or may not know what area in which you will ultimately practice. Does the firm offer several areas that you can try out?
· Loyalty: When I left my first firm for another opportunity, some of my associates and partners thought I did not show appropriate loyalty to the firm – the firm that hired me straight out of law school. A year later, the firm (that had about 100 attorneys) broke up because the partners were arguing about money! Where was their loyalty? At the end of the day, you work for yourself and your family. A firm/company/etc. will get rid of you, me and anyone else if it suits their purposes. Don’t forget that . . .