Amicus Agony
Dear Amicus Agony,
As a newly qualified lawyer in a small to medium-sized corporate firm, I’ve noticed that although I get higher exposure to overseeing of files and clients, I feel that I am missing out on the amount of mentorship and fraternity network that my peers in larger firms have, simply because there are more departments and lawyers that they interact with. I’m worried and unsure how to effectively build my own network and find the mentorship I need to establish connections and opportunities in the future.
Social Pupa Associate
Dear Social Pupa Associate,
I get it – working in a smaller law firm can make it seem like there are fewer chances for mentorship and networking. But don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to keep growing professionally. Here are several proactive strategies you can use to foster professional growth.
If you have explored all the resources offered by your firm, consider seeking external mentorship and networking opportunities. You can join local bar associations and legal organisations to access mentorship programmes and industry events. Additionally, attending legal conferences and seminars or volunteering and pursuing further training would allow you to connect with peers from various sectors. These steps can help you build meaningful connections, gain insights within and beyond the legal field, and increase your professional visibility.
Finally, it is important to keep track of your goals, create a development plan and regularly reflect on your progress. Do not hesitate to express your interest in mentorship or networking to your supervisors, I am sure they would offer you great support and valuable assistance.
Keep pushing forward and I look forward to the day you transform into a social butterfly.
Sincerely,
Amicus Agony
Dear Amicus Agony,
I am a junior lawyer. With the rise of ChatGPT, I find myself using it frequently to assist in drafting my emails or in wording advice to clients. To me, using AI tools is efficient and saves time. However, some of my peers and seniors have criticised the use of or reliance on such tools, deeming the usage of AI as an easy way out and claiming that it would stunt our professional development and drafting skills.
Aren’t they over-reacting to a change that is inevitable? I personally believe that with the exponential rate of machine learning, knowledge industries – including the legal sector, would eventually face significant disruptions and shifts in paradigms. Law firms and employers may find that juniors like me do not offer competitive advantages compared to AI. What will happen then?
Ctrl + Alt + Defeat,
Phased out Associate
Dear Phased Out Associate,
Your perspective touches on different aspects of the debate of using AI in the workplace. It is true that AI tools like ChatGPT can significantly enhance efficiency and save time. However, concerns from peers and seniors about the potential negative impact on professional development and drafting skills are valid as well. It is important not to neglect the fundamental aspects of legal development that require time, effort and hands-on experience, as these are crucial for building a strong foundation for your lawyering capabilities.
It is also understandable that you feel concerned about the impact of rapidly advancing AI technologies on your professional relevance. The key will be how you adapt to these changes and use them to your advantage. AI can handle repetitive and time-consuming tasks, but lack human judgment, empathy and ethical considerations, which are crucial in law. Mastering its application and integrating it can enhance the quality of your work.
For juniors like yourself, there are several strategies you can adopt to ensure that you continue to provide unique value in the legal field – all of which involves shifting your focus beyond traditional skills to those that complement AI. Learn to place higher importance on human-centric skills like strategic problem-solving, client relations, negotiation, and ethical decision-making.
By being adaptable and integrating AI as a supportive tool while simultaneously enhancing your own unique skills, you can remain indispensable in a rapidly evolving legal field.
Good luck, Ctrl + Alt + Conquer!
Amicus Agony
