Motion to Stand Out: How to Be the
Exceptional Associate
Melissa Katz
McGavin, Boyce, Bardot, Thorsen & Katz
You’ve
already tackled two big milestones: passing the bar and landing your first job.
But law school never taught you how to be the exceptional
associate. That is not something you’re born with; it’s built through good
habits. The real question is whether you
will settle for average or put in the work to stand out in this profession.
Here are a few tips to get you started.
1.
Energy Starts with You (a.k.a. Don’t Be the Office Zombie)
Law
is a thinking sport. And like any sport, you can’t win if you’re running on
fumes, caffeine, and a breakfast of donuts or other diabetic inducing foods.
Your fuel:
- Sleep – 4 hours is not “plenty.”
- Nutrition – Doritos aren’t a food group.
- Exercise – Walking to court counts, but barely.
- Mindset – Start the day with intention, not Instagram doomscrolling.
You don’t need to be a triathlete, but you do need enough energy to think
clearly, argue persuasively, and survive a deposition without fantasizing about
a nap.
2.
Punctuality & Presence (It’s Not Just About the Clock)
Showing
up at 9:15 with a latte in hand might be fine for a coffee date, but in law it
screams, “I overslept, and also, please don’t trust me with urgent work.”
You don’t have to camp out in the office parking lot before dawn, but aim to be
there early, ready to go. And when you’re in the office - be in the office. Be
visible. Be engaged. Don’t be the mysterious associate who’s always “around
somewhere” but no one can find when it matters.
3.
Your Desk and Your Dress: Don’t Let Either Be a Mess
If
your desk is buried under piles of files, empty coffee cups, and crumbled candy
wrappers, people will assume your mind is equally disorganized.
Tidy up. Keep it professional. And
yes, that applies to what you wear, too. Even in “business casual,” dress like
you might get called into court at any moment. For men, that means a jacket and
tie. You’re representing the firm, and often the firm’s reputation arrives in
the room before you even open your mouth.
4.
Your Work Product is Your Signature (Sign It Well)
Every
email, motion, or letter you send creates an impression of your
professionalism. Make it a strong one. That means proof well!
5.
Habits That Build Trust
Pro tips:
- Repeat back verbal assignments so you both know you’re on the same page.
- Calendar deadlines - your brain will forget, your calendar won’t.
- Always aim to submit work that needs no or little editing. That’s how you
earn trust (and better assignments). A strong work product is not just
appreciated, it is remembered, and it sets you apart.
6.
Timeliness Builds Trust (and Protects Your Reputation)
Deadlines
are like stoplights: ignore them at your peril. If you can’t meet one, speak up
early and give a real reason - not “I just got busy.”
Few things erode trust faster than missing a deadline. Worse, missing a court deadline is
Malpractice 101. Consistency builds trust. Chaos erodes it.
7.
Meet Your Billables Without Losing Your Soul
Billable
hours are the lawyer’s version of miles in a marathon - you can’t fake them.
Manage your time. Work efficiently.
Smart lawyers don’t necessarily work more; they work better. And the better you
get, the less you’ll feel like you’re on a treadmill you can’t step off.
8.
Mediocrity is a Dead-End
Doing
the bare minimum in this field is like coasting in neutral. You won’t get fired immediately, but you
won’t get anywhere exciting either.
Here’s the better mindset: don’t let fear or the grind keep you from stepping
into the arena. Every hearing, every deposition, every courtroom appearance is
a chance to practice your craft. You may not feel ready - few of us do - but
preparation and effort will carry you farther than you think. Better stories
and better careers come from showing up and giving it your best, not hiding in
your office waiting for the clock to run out.
9.
The Little Things Aren’t Little (They’re the Finish Line Separators)
Want
the short list of habits that make you a standout? Here you go:
- Solid, polished work product
- Meeting deadlines without drama
- Professional look and workspace
- Clear, respectful communication
- Responsiveness (return calls/emails promptly)
- Proactive planning. No one likes being
surprised in litigation
- Team player attitude
- Strong etiquette (yes, table manners, a solid handshake, and common courtesy
count)
It’s not magic. It’s discipline.
10. Join the
Profession, Not Just a Firm
It’s
time to venture outside the comfort of your own office. Get active in the
defense bar (or any legal organization in which you have an interest),
participate in local and state bar sections or committees, take an active role
in young lawyer sections; write an article for a legal journal, teach a CLE, volunteer
for an event or a leadership role. Meet judges and clerks in appropriate
settings - bench-bar events, legal organizations, and Inns of Court, not during
a whispered sidebar. Be present, prepared, and reliable; that’s how you network
and build credibility. Don’t be
surprised if your name starts coming up for client referrals, CLE panels, and
leadership selections.
11.
Why It All Matters (a.k.a. Future You Will Thank You)
Every day counts towards the reputation you are
building. Don’t become complacent just
because you graduated from law school, passed the bar, and have a job. Instead, be exceptional. Build habits that compound. Aim
your daily work at the lawyer you want to become (partner, judge, niche
practitioner, or founder). The choices
you make today will shape not just your next review, but your legal standing
for the next decades.
If
you have any questions about how to level up, please reach out – mkatz@mbbtklaw.com.
