Surviving Your First 90 Days: The Unspoken Rules of a Junior Lawyer
To survive your first 90 days as a junior lawyer, your primary focus should be on demonstrating reliability, a proactive attitude, and good judgment. While your legal knowledge is important, partners are really assessing whether you are a trustworthy and diligent team member who can be counted on to handle responsibility.
Rule #1: No Task is "Beneath You"
You will be asked to do tedious work. Photocopying, formatting documents, creating binders, and proofreading are not just chores; they are tests. They test your attention to detail, your ability to follow instructions, and your attitude.
Embrace these tasks. The person who completes a perfect, well-organized binder without complaint is the one who will be trusted with a research memo or a draft letter next. See every task, no matter how small, as an opportunity to demonstrate your commitment and precision.
Rule #2: Your Supervisor's Time is More Valuable Than Yours
A partner's most limited resource is time. Your job is to be a time-saver, not a time-waster. This means being strategic about how you ask questions.
Try to find the answer first. Before you ask, spend at least 15 minutes trying to solve the problem yourself. Check the file, search the firm’s document management system, or do a quick online search.
"Batch" your questions. Don't interrupt your supervisor every time a question pops into your head. Keep a running list in a notebook. When you have a few questions, find an appropriate moment (when they aren't on the phone or rushing to a meeting) and ask them all at once.
Come with a suggestion. Instead of just asking, "What should I do?", try: "I've reviewed the file and my understanding is that we should do X. Is that correct?" This shows you've thought about the problem and taken initiative.
Rule #3: Own Your Mistakes—Immediately and Completely
You will make a mistake. It's inevitable. How you handle it is what defines you. Hiding a mistake is a career-limiting move; owning it builds trust.
The moment you realise you've made an error, follow this process:
Stop. Don't try to fix it in a panic.
Inform. Walk to your supervisor’s office, knock, and tell them in person.
Explain. State what happened clearly and concisely. Don't make excuses. "I misunderstood the instruction and sent the email to the wrong party."
Suggest. If possible, come with a potential solution. "I think the best first step would be to send a follow-up email recalling the first one."
This approach shows integrity and a commitment to solving the problem, which is far more valuable than a flawless record.
Rule #4: Write Everything Down
Your brain is not a reliable storage device when you're absorbing vast amounts of new information. Buy a notebook and use it religiously.
When receiving instructions: Write down every detail, especially deadlines.
Clarify deadlines: "COB" can mean different things to different people. Ask, "To be clear, you need this by 5 PM today?"
Repeat back instructions: A quick, "So, just to confirm, you want me to research the indemnity clause and provide a summary of the risks by lunchtime?" prevents critical misunderstandings.
Being the person who never has to ask for instructions a second time makes you incredibly reliable.
Rule #5: Observe the Office Culture
Every firm has a unique personality and unwritten rules. Your job in the first 90 days is to be an anthropologist. Pay attention to the environment.
Punctuality: What time do the successful senior associates actually start and finish their day? Aim to be there before your supervisor and leave after them.
Communication: Is the primary mode of communication formal email, instant messenger like Teams, or walking over to someone's office? Adapt to the prevailing style.
The Support Staff are Key: Make a genuine effort to get to know the executive assistants, paralegals, and administrative staff. They are the gatekeepers of institutional knowledge and can make your life infinitely easier. Being polite and respectful to everyone is non-negotiable.
