Next month hundreds of new lawyers will find out they passed the bar exam and start their careers.

For the past four years, on the fall day the Daily Report publishes the names of those who passed the Georgia Bar Exam, we also have run short essays by veteran members of the bar. Aimed at new lawyers, these pieces have addressed subjects such as memories of first clients and cases, what they love about the law, how to succeed and how to recover from failure.

This year, we again invite any member of the bar to offer their thoughts to the ones just joining. We're open to essays on almost anything, but here are few ideas to provoke some topics.

  • How important is the word "no" in legal practice?
  • What was your biggest fear when started practicing? Was that an accurate concern, or did something else provide a bigger challenge?
  • What are the best (and worst) habits you have acquired (and discarded) in your legal career
  • How do you balance your work responsibilities with other commitments, such as family, friends and causes about which you are passionate or hobbies you enjoy?
  • Is Larry Flynt correct when, in the movie "The People vs. Larry Flynt," he tells his lawyer, "I'm your dream client: I'm the most fun, I'm rich, and I'm always in trouble."

And for the first time for this project, we'd like to hear from the rookie lawyers, too. Again, we're open to essays on almost any topic, but one question we suggest you consider is:

  • What do you think will be the biggest challenge in starting your legal career?

We ask that essays be limited to 500 words, and before writing, please contact me for more details. I can be reached at 404-419-2839 and [email protected].

–Jonathan Ringel, managing editor