As a young lawyer, breaking out and building a name for yourself in a field dominated by tenured attorneys can be challenging. I knew I would have to work to make a name for myself from the moment I began practicing. However, with the help of my mentor and now good friend, Steve Tatonetti, I am one step closer to substantial success.
Shortly after Steve’s arrival, I reached a significant milestone in any lawyer’s career when I brought in my own case. In short, rather than being assigned a case, I created connections and had a client come to me solely based on my reputation. Building this status from the ground up was possible by constantly putting myself out there. Though this was a complex process to get my feet moving, a critical first step in the right direction was what led me
on the way.
When I joined Locks Law Firm in 2020, I successfully handled cases assigned to me by the partners with desirable outcomes. However, Steve’s addition to the firm a few years later was a “night and day” difference for the growth I saw myself achieving. Steve and I forged a mentorship that would go on to teach me valuable lessons, all leading up to the initiation of my first brought-in case. A critical piece of advice includes highlighting the importance of building personal connections with clients. Being open and honest taught me that compassion builds trust and respect, which I now carefully integrate into all my cases.
It can be difficult to balance working on current cases and taking the time to step out of your comfort zone to meet new clients but as I have learned through experience, this is all part of building one’s reputation. Because I was afforded the opportunity to assist on Steve’s cases from start to finish, I now have a greater understanding of the most effective way to come to a positive and efficient result for the client. This experience in mentorship has solidified my presence as a capable attorney, and as time goes on, I hope my reputation and success are on a continuous track to flourish. Simply put, never be afraid when making new connections, as it is the most impactful way to put yourself out there. Whether that is getting new clients or even relying on the help of your fellow colleagues. As Steve has emphasized to me: networking is the most influential thing for any young lawyer.
