Easing the Transition From Law Student to Practicing Attorney

After three long years of lectures, late nights at the library and enough coffee to keep the lights on at Starbucks through the next millennium, you’re finally a licensed attorney and your start date is right around the corner. But, if you didn’t figure it out as a summer associate, the life of a law student is quite different from the life of a practicing attorney. Not only will you be learning how to apply volumes of legal theory to practice, you will be navigating a new work environment, building relationships with new colleagues, perhaps moving to a new city and developing a practice.

The transition from law student to professional attorney can be challenging and it’s no secret that law schools do little to prepare you for practice. Awareness of some of the major differences between life as a law student and life as a practicing attorney will be helpful in making a smooth transition. In addition, you may find it useful to implement some strategies and tips to ease the transition so that you sleep better and make a great impression on your boss and clients.

Your Time Is Not Your Own