Musings and (Unsolicited) Advice from a Year One Lawyer
As a first-generation lawyer in my family, I still recall how excited and proud my parents were when I was admitted to the Singapore Bar. Amongst other things, I recall them telling me how “I have made it” and how “all these years of studying have paid off”. Indeed, back then, having pulled through law school, the Bar examinations and training contract, getting “called to the Bar” felt as though I had reached the finale of a movie. Little did I know, this was just the beginning.
Welcome to the jungle.
While this one-year in the legal profession has been stressful, it has also been rather exhilarating. Amongst other things, I remember feeling so nervous for my first case conference, preparing to argue in court for my first pro bono case as if my life depended on it, and pulling multiple all-nighters desperately hoping to put together a decent draft of the written submissions.
However, as the saying goes, “the days are long, but the years are short”: In a blink of an eye, it has been one year and two months since I have been called. As I was given this opportunity to pen this article, I thought that it would be appropriate to share some of my thoughts (and perhaps, advice) which I have gathered from my first-year journey in the industry.
To my peers and juniors reading this, I hope that this humble piece can bring some positivity and inspiration to your journey as well.
We will survive thrive.
1. “To take care of others, start by taking care of yourself”
Before becoming a legal associate, I recall starting out with the mindset of “wanting to burn the brightest before I burnout”. I could not have been more wrong. The practice of law can be all-consuming if you let it. The workload can be intense, and balancing clients’ demands and deadlines is always an ongoing challenge. In this respect, one of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn was how to balance the demands of the job with personal well-being.
It took me a while but I finally accepted that work will never end. However, what we can do is prioritise the work accordingly, but always place your health at the top of the list. I used to accede to almost every request but quickly found this to be counter-productive. Instead, I learnt (or, am still learning) to be honest about my workload and capacity. To keep afloat (and hopefully stay in practice for a long time), sustainability is key.
Understandably, as young lawyers, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the demands of the profession. As a junior, I often felt the pressure to have all the answers immediately – especially when tasked to draft the first cut of a piece of legal advice / client’s correspondence / written submissions.
To cope, I always start by organising my day with a mental calendar of the tasks which must be completed. I have also quickly learnt that adaptability is key, especially when unexpected tasks come along. In this regard, learning how to prioritise tasks and manage my time has significantly helped reduce the anxiety and stress along the way. When faced with what feels like an insurmountable task, it is easy to get lost and be paralysed with “drafting anxiety”. In this respect, I try to first find where a good starting point may be (e.g., an area of law or a portion of the facts which I may have previously done some research on or am more familiar with). Thereafter, I try to break the task down into smaller tasks with a “cut off time” (as Parkinson’s Law is real).
Amidst the workload, it is also important to make time for yourself, whether it is through hobbies, exercise, or simply spending time with your loved ones. At the start, it is easy to second-guess the quality of your own work and be consumed by the workload. Taking some time out for yourself would help you run this marathon. Personally, a half-hour run, a hearty meal or a slow night drive after work goes a long way.
Also, trust me, you will become less anxious with time. Indeed, I have learnt that the better you take care of your well-being, the better you will perform as a lawyer.
2. Develop Resilience, Adaptability and Always “stay hungry, stay foolish”
One of the most obvious differences between practice and law school is that we are dealing with real problems that come with real consequences. The legal field is vast and complex, and the permutations of factual matrices are infinite. In this regard, I have learnt very quickly that the answers are not straightforward.
From my first year in practice, one of the things I have learnt is to “sit with the problem” and not rush into cobbling an “answer” immediately.
It is, of course, easier said than done. There were so many moments when I have doubted the quality of my work. There were also times when I have seen my drafts completely revamped by my seniors which would cause me to question my abilities more.
Understandably, learning is no picnic especially when coupled with the pressures of having to complete the tasks assigned. The pressure does not disappear; it comes with the job. However, if we stay curious, grounded, develop the ability to bounce back and maintain a positive outlook, we can stay afloat in an intense and fast-paced environment with a steep learning curve. It is thus important to embrace the learning with patience and be patient with oneself.
Indeed, when the going gets tough, remind yourself that “it is a bad day, not a bad life”. One bad day does not define your career. Encountering setbacks and difficulties are often part of the process for growth. To share a quote from one of the musical legends, John Lennon, “[e]verything will be okay in the end. If it is not okay, it is not the end”.
3. Seek and Give Guidance: “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”
Having a network of support can make a world of difference especially when the going gets tough. When I was struggling most, I found it very encouraging when my peers and seniors went out of their way to speak to me. They provided me with words of affirmation and/or dispensed invaluable first-hand advice (e.g., lessons which they have learned through trial and error). One example was when a senior who had been in practice for more than a decade jokingly told me, “[i]f I can do it, you can do it too.” when I was sharing with him some challenges I faced at work. I was pretty sure he meant it as a throwaway line in our conversation, but it strangely left an impact on me.
Through these interactions, the importance of paying it forward should never be underestimated. If some day you are in that position to encourage or inspire someone else, you could actually be making someone’s day, or saving someone who is dying a little bit inside.
Conclusion
If you are feeling a little lost, I implore you to find your “anchor, fuel and compass”:
- Anchor – what is/are my reason(s) for doing this?
- Fuel – what is/are the thing(s) that drive(s) me forward?
- Compass – what is/are my goal(s)/where do I want to go?
Ultimately, we are still finding our place in the fraternity.
But take heart, you are not alone in this journey. While these challenges can be intimidating, the silver lining is that they also often offer immense opportunities for growth and adventure. Afterall, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
