What would you tell a Junior at Yale?

The Junior Class Council at Yale has launched a series of career panels, which will feature alums from various fields discussing their work and how to enter their line of work. The first of these panels is on February 3 and will be featuring successful Yale lawyers . . . and me.

So, what would you tell a Yale Junior about his or her future career path. Here are my draft top 10 rules for career success:

1. Law school is not a place to find yourself.

Go to law school if you have a reason to go. Do not go to law school as a default because you don't know what else to do. So, decide what person you want to be before you go to law school

2. If you go to law school, be prepared to do the work.

For good or bad, the main gating mechanism in the legal profession is the review of grades. Grades matter. A lot. Much more, in fact, than any other professional experience you might get from an internship or a job.

3. Big law firms are not for everyone.

I work at a big law firm. Many of my best friends work at big law firms. They can be great. But, they are not for everyone. Figure out, as best you can, whether a big firm is for you before you go to one.

4. Work at becoming a good lawyer.

Many people work at becoming partner once they enter the legal profession. That is a bad move. Work at becoming a good lawyer. Good lawyers always have work. If you become a good lawyer, the rest will take care of itself.

5. Marry someone smarter than you.

This is a good idea, generally, and applies even if a traditional marriage is not the route you take. Surround yourself with people who are smart. And, if you have followed this rule, you should follow the corollary -- listen to your spouse/significant other/friends.

6. Call your mother.

Your parents are smarter and more insightful than you think they are. Call them. Seek their advice. Listen to them. They know what they are talking about more than you might think.

7. Read.

Law is a people profession. You need insight into people's motivations. You need to know history. This is also a writing profession. The best lawyers are great writers.

So, read to get understanding. Read to learn from great writers. History. Fiction. Poetry. Biographies. Essays. Whatever. Read.

8. Fight for something

Being a lawyer, or a Yale graduate for that matter, doesn't mean much if you don't fight for something. Pick a battle. Fight it.

9. Aim high, but remain humble.

All too often, I see young lawyers enter the profession with the attitude that they should be arguing before the Supreme Court . . . right now. That is a huge mistake. First, they need to learn to be advocates. Second, their impatience often alienates colleagues and impedes their progress. The best lawyers I have known, some of whom are considered the best of their generation, remain humble, while takling the biggest cases of our time. That is critical to being a success.

10. Get to know your classmates.

You are in the most diverse, intellectually alive group you will ever know. Get to know your classmates. They will write books, be judges, make movies, run companies, raise children, overcome unbelievable obstacles, make important scientific discoveries, change the world, be your friend. Spend the next year or so really getting to know them. Not because they might be able to help you get a job. Get to know them because your lives will be better because they are part of it.


Any other thoughts? Please share.