Simple writing techniques and technology can help. Stopping this downward spiral is necessary. This is when confidence takes a second hit-and the quality of work begins to rapidly deteriorate. In an effort to be fast, they become “sloppy.” Partners lose trust. To make up for it, many associates find themselves at the other end of the spectrum. Perfectionism and attention to detail are now the mark of a “slow” associate rather than a careful one. Somewhere during the transition from junior to mid-level associate, incredible attention to detail becomes bad.
After years of doing unimportant low-risk work, we’ve come to believe that the important work is for other, more senior people.
When we should be taking on more responsibility and spreading our wings, we get weighed down by imposter syndrome. But at some point, our perfectionism and tendency to overwork and second guess becomes a flaw rather than a feature. With low billing rates and high tolerance for write-downs, the crazed work habits of junior associates can be lucrative. As insecure over-achievers we were ideal workers because we’re both self-motivating and self-disciplining.Īt first, this is a boon for law firms. In fact, people like us were recruited specifically for it. And for many elite professional organizations like BigLaw or the Big Four, our insecurity was a feature not a flaw. In Empson’s terminology, we’re insecure over-achievers. But the truth is that the profession is self-selecting towards insecurity and then reinforces it.Īs young lawyers, our insecurity and corresponding perfectionism is a large part of what drives us to work extraordinarily hard and deliver exceptional performance. Many insecure lawyers don’t even think of themselves that way. It may surprise you to think of lawyers lacking confidence. So how can we develop confidence (and get help with judgment) before we reach veteran status? Lawyers Hide Their Lack of Confidence It’s also one reason why otherwise promising lawyers miss deadlines. An insecure writer will inevitably misuse time, which causes other parts of the process to be minimized-or skipped completely.
This is because a confident writer knows how to move on and allocate time appropriately to each part of the research and drafting process. Training providers should take note because confidence also improves productivity and efficiency.Ĭonfident junior and mid-level associates produce better work on time, with less stress. Confidence in your legal writing will help you meet your objectives. Yet if you lack confidence then increasing it is key. I have yet to meet anyone who declares that they want to be a more confident legal writer. When junior and mid-level associates aim to improve their legal writing, most try to be better, clearer, more concise, more persuasive, or more precise. Better Legal Writing Starts with Confident Legal Writing
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