For the Record Monthly Column Legal Life:
The Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs of the Everyday Attorney

Welcome to “Legal Life: The Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs of the Everyday Attorney,” a new monthly “For The Record” column. This collaborative effort brings together the voices of our New Lawyer Division members to share the real, unfiltered experiences of life in the legal profession.

In this column, we’ll dive into the everyday challenges, frustrations, and occasional victories that come with being a new lawyer. From the burnout balancing act of juggling work and family life to the awkward dance of networking events, we’ll explore it all with a healthy dose of humor and honesty.

Our goal is simple: to remind you that you’re not alone in this legal journey. Whether you’re struggling with that gym membership you never use or questioning the role of AI in our profession, rest assured that your colleagues are right there with you, facing the same dilemmas and asking the same questions.

We hope this column will serve as a reminder that the same things that annoy you likely annoy all of us. It’s a space where we can laugh at ourselves, commiserate over shared experiences, and maybe even find some creative solutions to the unique challenges of our profession.

So, buckle up and join us as we navigate the sometimes absurd, often challenging, but always interesting world of being a lawyer. Remember, we’re all in this together—and sometimes, the best way to deal with the pressures of our profession is to share a laugh about it.

New Attorneys: The Struggle Between Ambition and Reality

Have you ever noticed how new attorneys are considered “new” for what feels like an eternity? Seven years in the game, and you’re still labeled as the rookie. It’s almost comical! You come out of law school, ready to hit the ground running, fueled by ambition and caffeine. But then reality hits, and you realize that navigating this profession isn’t as straightforward as you imagined.

The Solo Adventure

Some brave souls decide to go solo right out of law school. Talk about jumping into the deep end without a life preserver! Sure, it sounds appealing—being your own boss, setting your own hours—but let’s be real: it’s tough. You’re trying to build a client base while figuring out how to manage everything from billing to marketing. It’s like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the instructions—frustrating and often leading to a few extra pieces left over that you’re pretty sure should’ve been essential.

The Grunt Work Grind

On the flip side, there’s the path of being a grunt in a law firm, where you spend years hoping to make partner. You’re buried in research, drafting motions, and attending meetings where your ideas are ignored. It’s a grind that can wear down even the most optimistic of new attorneys. You start wondering if all those late nights in law school were worth it when you’re stuck making copies and fetching coffee for senior partners who seem to have forgotten what it was like to be “new” themselves.

The Irony of Experience

Isn’t it ironic? You work so hard to get your degree, only to find that both paths—going solo or paying your dues—are fraught with challenges. You want to make a name for yourself, but the system seems designed to keep you in limbo. Even after seven years of experience, some still see you as “the new kid on the block.” 

A Call for Understanding

So, here’s our challenge: let’s create a culture that recognizes the value of experience at every stage. New attorneys need support and mentorship rather than just being tossed into the fray or relegated to grunt work. 

Until then, we’ll keep navigating this tricky landscape, balancing our ambitions with the realities of the profession—hoping one day we’ll be seen not just as “new,” but as valuable contributors who have earned our place at the table.