The Importance of Work Friends

On August 28, 2022
In Career Management, Mentors, Networking, New Job

As new grads enter the workforce, they should know the importance of bonding with workmates. What can they gain? The New York Times recently quoted a few things a professional woman learned at her first job decades ago: How to take feedback from a boss without compromising on her ideas. How to have fun at […]

On July 3, 2022
In Career Management, Career Tips, Mentors

Most lawyers I know are pretty humble and don’t go out of their way to collect awards and honors. The question is, should they? The answer is yes for awards given by a credible group, ideally by a professional organization with recognized members of the industry. And the answer is no if it’s obviously a […]

On December 17, 2021
In Mentors, Networking

When searching for a job, the top thing to do is to network. (Getting a warm intro and reference is the “holy grail of a competitive hiring process.” See here.) Yet I know it’s super painful to ask people you don’t know well for an intro or job recommendation. (And it’s super painful for me […]

On May 31, 2021
In Career Management, Mentors, Women & Minorities

Yes, diverse attorneys face bias whether at firms or in-house. I have heard hair-raising stories from minority attorneys about being mistaken for the help. The Recorder recently ran an interview with Olivia Luk Bedi, an Asian American woman partner, who tells this story: “I was at a contentious hearing in federal court about eight years […]

On July 5, 2020
In Career Management, Career Tips, Mentors

Legal veterans, reach out and help the next generation, e.g., with hbcu20x20 or Pay it Forward. And I’m so impressed that young legal leaders are already mentoring others! I list their resources below. Nyssa Chopra, a tech lawyer with a background in diplomacy and human rights, puts out a bi-weekly “Mentor in Law” newsletter aimed at “law students, recent […]

On October 13, 2019
In Career Management, Career Tips, Mentors

Careers take long and winding roads. To figure out what to do and how to improve yourself means getting the input of others. How do you best do that? This Harvard Business Review article says to use the word “advice” rather than “feedback” when you ask for help! Multiple studies have found asking for “feedback” […]

On March 1, 2019
In Career Management, Career Tips, Mentors

Whenever I meet a lawyer, I hear how they got to where they are. Superstars? They always have a great backer (sponsor), who advised them, championed for them, and smoothed the way. How do you get sponsors? I like this article from Fast Company. The main points: Identify who could be your sponsor. Carla Harris […]

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The Importance of Work Friends

Is Getting Honors & Awards Actually Helpful for Your Career?

How to Reach Out Cold & Get Results (4 Templates Provided!)

How to Respond to Bias

Mentorship at All Levels!

Ask for Advice, Not Feedback, to Get Ahead

Getting Sponsors (Who Will Change Your Career)