[And while we're talking about books, check out my book Thrive - A New Lawyer's Guide to Law Firm Practice - an ABA bestseller and the perfect thing to read if you are beginning your summer in a law firm or starting your legal career!]

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Attorneys attend law school for different reasons. Some are looking for a challenging career, others are seeking financial security, and certain attorneys are motivated to serve a good cause.

No matter what drew you to the profession, these legal books can inspire you, re-energize you and deliver to you a few wise lessons that you can use to improve your career.

1.     A Civil Action

A Civil Action is the nonfiction story of Anderson v. Cryovac. In the mid ‘80s, a group of children in Woburn, MA were diagnosed with leukemia and the alleged cause was groundwater contamination from local industry. While settlements were ultimately disbursed to the plaintiffs, plaintiffs’ counsel did not enjoy a happy ending and was rendered bankrupt, in part, as a result of the case.

What change will this book inspire?

The story causes many to re-examine how badly they want success, what they are willing to sacrifice to get it, and what they are willing to risk in the chase.

2.     Five Years of My Life: An Innocent Man in Guantanamo

Nineteen-year-old Murat Kunaz was arrested without explanation in Pakistan in October 2001 and was not released from captivity until five years later. He committed no crime, and the U.S. government has acknowledged his innocence. This book is the story of his journey from Pakistan to Afghanistan to Guantanamo and the tortures he endured along the way.

What change will this book inspire?

Examining the clash of liberty and security is an extraordinarily important exercise for attorneys. If nothing else, this book will rededicate you to zealous representation of clients.

3.     Gideon’s Trumpet

“… If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you …”

Anyone who has heard the police recite a Miranda warning has heard this statement. Gideon’s Trumpet is the story of how the right to counsel for indigent defendants came into existence.

What change will this book inspire?

This story may be just the motivation you need to pick up your next pro bono matter and expand your practice horizons.

4.     Storming the Court: How a Band of Law Students Fought the President — and Won

Storming the Court is the story of hundreds of Haitian refugees who were held captive by the United States in 1992 and the struggle to free them. The case ultimately wound up before the Supreme Court, which ordered that the refugees be released.

What change will this book inspire?

Many of the experiences described in the book will remind litigators to think creatively and resourcefully. Not every case proceeds along the usual track, and Storming the Court will inspire you to find better ways to represent your clients’ interests.

Stories like the ones listed here have the power to stimulate your professional energy and can often lead to worthwhile changes in your career. Whether it’s taking on interesting new matters, pursuing a new practice area or simply bringing renewed motivation to servicing your current clients, books have the power to inspire. Whether you are actively seeking inspiration or feel as though everything is on-track, add some time to your schedule for a little reading to encourage personal and professional growth.

Chelsea Wilson is the Community Relations Manager for Washington University School of Law’s online LL.M. Degree program, which provides foreign trained attorneys with the opportunity to earn a Master of Laws degree from a top-tier American university from anywhere in the world.

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For many legal writers, the first exposure to the art and style behind legal writing comes from reading court documents, case books and books on the practice of law. Legal books often shape the writing style of law students and new attorneys, and contact with a wide variety of legal writing styles will help any writer develop and improve his or her technique. To help ensure you produce the best work possible, ask yourself a few questions before you begin any legal document or correspondence:

Who is Your Audience?
First and foremost, you must know your audience. Before you sit down to draft a letter, write a brief or respond to an email, ask yourself, “Who is my audience?” The answer to this question will help guide you as you determine the appropriate tone, structure and content for what you are writing.

What is the Most Appropriate Tone?
Like all aspects of the practice of law, legal writing is a persuasive endeavor. In any document an attorney or legal professional writes, the goal is to advocate for a client and ultimately reach a specific outcome. Because persuasion is the goal in legal writing, the tone of the writing is something that deserves careful attention. Most often, legal writers aim to strike a professional and persuasive tone without being aggressive.

The difference between being persuasive and being aggressive is something many unseasoned legal writers struggle with. Here are some tips for avoiding an aggressive (i.e., unreasonable or illogical) tone in your writing:
• Take a step back. Finish your first draft and then walk away. Come back to your piece a few hours later and read it with a fresh eye. Does the argument still hold up? Is the tone rational?
• Ask for a second opinion. A trusted friend or colleague can review your work to make sure the tone is not too aggressive or off-putting.

Where is the Document Going?
The tone of the piece addresses who is going to be reading it, but where it is going is just as important as it will impact the structure of the writing. An email can be written in a less formal tone and there are fewer rules about structure. However, a brief or a motion that will be submitted to a court must follow very strict structure guidelines.

Guidelines for the structure of legal documents are established in part by the rules of civil procedure, as well as the local rules and any guidelines set forth by the judge or department who will ultimately be reading the document. For example, many courtrooms limit the length of certain briefs or provide rules on format and citation.

For documents that are not being submitted to the court, such as pre-litigation settlement demands, correspondence with co-counsel or opposing counsel, or communication with an insurance adjuster, you will find there are less specific guidelines, but considering your recipient is just as important. If you are unsure what guidelines to follow for your intended recipient, ask a colleague or supervisor for an example of work that has been done for that recipient previously.

Ultimately, you want the reader to understand your argument and to persuade them that you are correct. So, no matter where your document it going, it should include accurate citations (if applicable), a clear voice and an authoritative tone.

Is the Document Concise?
One complaint that is regularly made about novice legal writers is that their documents are unnecessarily wordy. It’s important when writing about legal matters to say what you need to say and be done with it. The goal is to be persuasive on your client’s behalf; you don’t want to lose your reader’s interest with long-winded or verbose writing. Be considerate of your reader’s time and get to the point.

Using these questions as a guide, you can ensure your writing will be well received, and you will set yourself up for success as a legal writer.

Chelsea Wilson is the Community Relations Manager for Washington University School of Law’s distance learning LL.M. degree program, @WashULaw. Washington University School of Law now also offers an online legal English course.

The post Tip of the Week: The Art & Style of Legal Writing appeared first on Greenhorn Legal.

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An excerpt from Great ways to get someone else to pay for law school – criminal justice and law scholarships!

Additional Funding Sources: Check with any school you are considering attending. Many have grants and scholarships that are associated only with the school, often with very specific requirements including field of study. Some are merit or need based, but not all. Other sources include employers, professional and private organizations, religious institutions, and alumni associations for yourself, your spouse, or your parents.

The Islamic Scholarship Fund (ISF) sponsors a number of scholarships for students who are Muslims active in the Muslim community. All awardees must volunteer with the ISF between 40-100 hours within one year of receiving their award. All awards are open to junior and senior undergraduates. Applications are due March 21.

1. ISF: Council on American-Islamic Relations Scholarship – Students must be majoring in Public Policy or Law with a 3.0 minimum GPA. Awards range from $2,000-$10,000.
2. ISF: Muslim Public Service Network – Students must be majoring in Public Policy, Law, Media, or Communications with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Awards range from $2,000-$10,000.
3. ISF: United Voices Scholarship – Students must be majoring in Law or Public Policy with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Awards range from $2,000-$10,000.

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association sponsors a number of scholarships open to law students who demonstrate leadership in the Asian Pacific American community. Applications are due September 3.

4. Anheuser-Busch/NFL Presidential Scholarships –$7,500
5. UPS/NFL Gold Mountain Scholarship –For students who are the first in their family to be enrolled in good standing with the American Bar Association or Association of American Law Schools, with a commitment to pro bono or public interest legal work, with demonstrated financial need. Award is $5,000.
6. Chris Nakamura Law Foundation Scholar –This is open to students with demonstrated financial need. Award is $2,500.
7. Lim, Ruger, & Kim Scholarship – This is open to students with demonstrated financial need. Award is $2,500.
8. Bob Chin Scholarship – This is open to students with demonstrated financial need, commitment to pro bono services, and leadership potential. Preference given to students affected by cancer personally or in their immediate family. The award amount varies.

The Federal Circuit Bar Association provides a number of scholarships for students pursuing a juris doctor degree with demonstrated financial need and a strong interest in any area related to the jurisdiction of the US Court of Appeal for the Federal Circuit should apply. Applications should be submitted between April 1 and April 15 for the year 2013. Unless specifically noted, these awards are distributed at the Association’s annual dinner in November. Only one is distributed of each of these, with the exception of the Need-Based scholarship.

9. Howard T. Markey Memorial Scholarship – This scholarship is focused on students with a commitment to public service. Award is $10,000.
10. Helen W. Nies Memorial Scholarship – This scholarship focuses on students who are active in encouraging female lawyers, who recognize the contributions of female lawyers to society, and advance the interest of female law students who also demonstrate exceptional academic prowess and financial need. Award id $10,000.
11. Giles Sutherland Rich Memorial Scholarship – This scholarship focuses on students with academic excellence and financial need that have a consistent dedication to the law, rule of law, and the US court system. This is presented at the Association’s Bench and Bar Conference in June, for $10,000.
12. Douglas B. Henderson Leadership Scholarship – This scholarship focuses on students with academic excellence and leadership potential who have a demonstrated financial need. Award value is $10,000.
13. William S. Bullinger Scholarship – This scholarship focuses on students with financial need, though they do consider criteria like academic promise and an interest in the Federal Circuit. Award value is $5,000.
14. Federal Circuit Bar Association Need-Based Scholarship – Additional scholarships may be available based primarily on financial need and remaining funds.

The Japanese American Citizens League offers a number of law-focused scholarships to students who are active National JACL members (which is open to any ethnic background). Awards are available for students ranging from entering freshman to graduates. Students may apply for only one scholarship category. Due date is March 1 and award amounts vary.

15.  JACL: Minoru Yasui Memorial Scholarship – This graduate scholarship gives preference to students with an interest in human or civil rights intending to study sociology, law, or education.
16. JACL: Alice Yuriko Endo Memorial Scholarship – Preference is given to students residing in Eastern District Council and/or students with an interest in public and social service.
17. JACL: Grace Andow Memorial Scholarship – This scholarship is reserved for law students.
18. JACL: Thomas T. Hayashi Memorial Scholarship – This scholarship is reserved for law students with preference given for those who are focused on securing justice for the disadvantaged.
19. JACL: Sho Sato Memorial Scholarship – This scholarship is reserved for law students.
20. JACL: Mary Reiko Osaka Memoral Scholarship – This scholarship is reserved for law students.

The J.L. Turner Legal Association offers a number of scholarships to minority law students from the Dallas-Forth Worth Metroplex, or whom are attending law school in the region. They offer both merit and need based scholarships. Students must be either second or third year law students and submit their application by October 27. Award amounts vary.

21. JLTLA Minority Law Financial Need Scholarship – This scholarship is primarily focused on financial need, though it does consider an applicant’s academic potential, circumstances, and community involvement to make a determination.
22. LTLA: Barbara Jordan Scholarship – This scholarship is given to the most academically outstanding female minority law student.
23. JLTLA: Fred Finch Scholarship – This scholarship is given to the most academically outstanding male minority law student.
24. JLTLA: Marie Trahan/Susman Godfrey Scholarship – This scholarship is given to the most outstanding African-American male or female law student from (whether born or raised in) the state of Texas.
25. JLTLA: Judge’s Scholarship – This scholarship is given to any minority, male or female, who has demonstrated academic excellence.

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE, CLICK HERE! 

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BIG NEWS: After months of hard work, this website is now a fully integrated, on-demand practical skills training resource for law students, law schools, and law firms! All of the Greenhorn Legal content – previously offered via live programs only – is now available to you on my website. Members will have access to all of my training programs to watch as is convenient (or to share with law students or new associates, depending on the membership level). I am so thrilled and hope you love the site as much as I do.

Take a look around and let us know what you think!

• Law students click here!
• Law schools click here!
• Law firms click here!

The post Big News For Greenhorn Legal (Lots Of Goodies In It For You!) appeared first on Greenhorn Legal.

Sincerely,

Desiree

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In the next couple of weeks, I am hosting a FREE speech writing webinar through Greenhorn Legal’s sister company, Greenhorn Bold.  In the webinar, we are talking about the ten fundamental steps to writing a bold and brilliant speech.  No matter where you go to law school, where you plan to work, or where you are currently employed, knowing how to write a powerful, dynamic, engaging speech will serve you well in business and in life.

To be the first to know of the release of my FREE webinar, come on over to Greenhorn Bold and get on the list!

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Relationship building is an art. And like anything else, it takes a little patience and practice. It also takes some negotiating – no two relationship dynamics are alike. Still, there are some fundamental, fool-proof ways to initiate and develop relationships with any colleagues:

1. Make a great introduction
The first impression you make on your colleagues will be an important one.  In the first days and months of your career, make a point of making the rounds and introducing yourself to your colleagues (do not introduce yourself over email – physically getting up and walking around will evidence that you care about integrating into your office).  When you stop by a colleagues office, knock (even if the door is open).  Be sure you are visiting them at a convenient time.  Express confidence (stand upright, speak clearly), enthusiasm, and sincerity in your dialogue.  Make the introduction meaningful but quick – you want to be memorable while being conscientious of your colleagues’ time.  Be sure to mention that you look forward to working with him or her – after all, relationship building in an office environment begins by collaborating professionally.

2. Do great work

Once you start getting assignments from attorneys in your practice, it will be imperative that you do great work.  This begins at the assignment phase (listen carefully, take good notes, ask smart follow up questions).  While working on the assignment, keep a thoughtful, open dialogue with the assigning attorney while still showing independence and initiative.  Finally, turn the assignment in on time and in the manner that was requested.  These small steps are critical in the relationship building process and in your success as a young lawyer.  The better your work, the better your relationship with your colleagues.

3. Network

Finally, you should network regularly with your colleagues.  The social aspect of your relationship with colleagues can be almost as important as your working relationship.  A healthy social relationship strengthens connections, builds loyalty, and allows you to demonstrate a more versatile (less formal) persona.  Make a point of getting lunch or a drink with your colleagues from time to time.  Get to know your colleagues outside of work (with appropriate boundaries, of course – the relationships shouldn’t actually be “complicated”) so that your relationships have depth beyond strictly work.

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Building and maintaining relationships will be an important part of your job as a young lawyer.  Set this in motion early and in no time you will be a central member of your legal practice.

Check us out on Facebook!  www.facebook.com/greenhornlegal

The post New Lawyer Tip of the Week: It’s Complicated appeared first on Greenhorn Legal.

Click here to buy yours now!

(If you would like a signed copy, send it to my attention at Greenhorn Legal, LLC PO Box 13220 Chicago, IL 60613, along with your name and address. I’ll ship it back to you free of charge.)

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This week, develop a long-term marketing plan.  What are you going to do to get a job or build your book of business in the next month, three months, year?  What frame of mind will you need to be in, both personally and professionally?  What tools will you need?  Where will you start?  

As a small business owner I can attest that marketing is a long term proposition.  Nothing whatsoever will happen overnight, even if your best friend is Mark Z.  So, start now, with a plan, anyway.  And maybe in five or ten years you’ll have your dream job or a big enough book that you can put other people to work and start training for that marathon you’ve been meaning to run.  

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In honor of the New Year, this week, we’re talking about goal setting.  This is not about making vague, global “resolutions” for the New Year.  Those are great, but generally not actionable and long forgotten by February.  Goal setting requires thought, action, and accountability.  Here is my advice for setting goals that you can actually achieve:

1. Consider

Take some time to consider one or two meaningful goals for the upcoming year.  Whether the goals are personal or professional, choose something that is important to you and that you care to accomplish.  Choose goals that are specific and actionable, too. 

2. Write!

This is the most important step.  If you want to achieve your goals, you must start by writing them down.  Write your goals down in a place you go back to often.  Included in this should be an action plan that details how you are going to accomplish your goals.  For example, if your goal is to get a job at the State’s Attorney’s Office by Fall of 2013, you will need to write down all of the steps required to achieve this, including reaching out to people you know at the SAO, setting up informational interviews, submitting your resume, setting up actual interviews, following up with the proper people, sending thank you notes, etc.  Your action plan should be very detailed, including specific calendar dates for when you will do each item in furtherance of your goal.  

3. Hold Yourself Accountable

Share your goals with two or three trusted friends or family members.  Ask them to check in on you regularly to hold you accountable for your goals.  Give them key dates in your goal setting plan so they know when major milestones are approaching and can help motivate and encourage you.

Set goals and go get yours.  You can do it.

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