Spring has finally arrived in the commonwealth, at least on the calendar. The change of season is an opportunity to refocus on your career goals and how to approach them in fresh and exciting ways.

Do Not be Afraid to Try Something New

Laura C. Bunting, Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti

Traditionally, attorneys, especially at larger firms, tend to stick to their area of practice. As young lawyers, your area of practice may have been assigned to you. This approach is understandable because it is more efficient for clients and firms to develop attorneys into subject-area experts. For attorneys, it is also comfortable to work within the area of law in which we are the most well-versed. However, taking on work in another area of the law can be a new and exciting way to reinvigorate your practice. For example, a labor and employment attorney and a litigation defense attorney could benefit from working across groups because many employers purchase insurance policies that cover employment litigation. Depositions may not be common in your area of practice, but another group may be spread thin on deposition coverage. Make sure your firm knows you are available where there is any need.  You will add value to your firm and you may be surprised how much you benefit personally from trying something new.

Consider Emerging Areas of the Law

Pennsylvania courts are addressing novel legal questions and new areas of the law at an exciting rate. As a labor and employment attorney, I am particularly interested in how the courts will address employees' medical marijuana rights, employer surveillance of the employers' property and employees' work, transgender rights and the classification of workers in the gig economy. Now is the time to be at the forefront of issues in your area of the law. Identify an emerging area of the law you are passionate about and act. For example, become your firm's go-to on cybersecurity law, publish an article on a recent decision in a journal, or submit a presentation idea to a local business group. Pro bono work is also a valuable opportunity for new attorneys.I recently attended a CLE organized by the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund on the Name Change Project, a program that provides pro bono legal name change services to low income individuals. Look for a similar opportunity in your area of interest.

Think How You Can Help Others

As attorneys, our job is to serve our clients as best we can. This responsibility should include being forward-thinking and curious about your clients' needs and how you can help. Learning as much as possible about your clients' business and about them as people will help you become a better legal counselor. Consider asking to visit your clients' business to see how they work and what makes them successful. Be curious about how you can help your clients. The best way to do this is to ask questions. For example, consider if your client has complied with posting requirements, what they need to know about the proposed FLSA overtime changes, and if their handbook complies with new state laws on privacy and criminal background checks. Your work will be more rewarding long-term if you develop meaningful relationships with your clients and do more than is expected. Also consider how you can help your community because of your unique position as an attorney. Many people in Pennsylvania do not have access to an attorney but are in serious need of legal representation. Contact your bar association and court administrator for more information about pro bono opportunities.

Ask Questions

It is important not to be afraid to ask questions. It is not a sign of weakness to ask questions. Instead, you can demonstrate your interest in doing your best work and reaching your goals by asking others for their input. As a young lawyer, the attorneys who assign you work likely have significantly more experience than you do. Their knowledge and experience is a valuable resource for you. If you do not receive feedback on your work, ask for it. When you are assigned a brief to draft, ask the partner if she has 10 minutes to discuss your strategy for the brief. Senior lawyers may be busy, but odds are they will respect your desire to give them a work product that helps them and have time to meet with you. You could also ask individuals you respect if they have time to meet with you to learn more about their background and practice.  We all have our own unique story about why we went to law school and our paths as lawyers.  Meeting with others who you look up to will likely reinforce the values of hard work, honesty, and respect for others we have been taught and reinvigorate you to reach your goals.

The rest of 2019 presents each of us with new opportunities, especially if we approach our goals with renewed energy and focus.

Laura C. Bunting is an associate in the employment and labor practice group of Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti. She is based in the firm's Pittsburgh office.