Career Lesson From A Clinical Professor Of Law At LMU Loyola Law School
Amy, a Clinical Professor of Law, emphasizes the importance of networking and building strong relationships, stating that "connections are key" in legal career success. Cultivating a good reputation through hard work, respect, and professionalism is crucial, as "it takes just a second to destroy one," leading to valuable opportunities and a fulfilling career.
Networking, Professionalism, Reputation Management, Career Development, Building Connections
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Amy Levin
Clinical Professor of Law
LMU Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
University of California, Berkeley 1994
University of California, Los Angeles JD/MSW
Psychology
Education, Law
Education
Honors Student
Video Highlights
1. Networking is crucial for career advancement in the legal field.
2. Building a strong reputation through hard work, respect, and professionalism is essential.
3. Being valuable and contributing positively to the workplace are key to career success.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant for your career?
Connections are key. Treating people with respect and getting to know them, especially in the legal profession, is crucial because a lot of it is about who you know.
For instance, if you work at a law firm and need clients, and a law school friend in-house at a company gives you business, it's all about your network. This applies even to postgraduate clerkships. When professors have relationships with judges, and those judges trust them, it helps place clerks.
The judge will trust the professor's judgment, which can help in getting jobs and hearing about opportunities. So, get to know your classmates and professors.
Be a kind person and work really hard. Be someone people respect, because building a good reputation takes a long time, but destroying it only takes a second. Guard your reputation zealously.
Do your best to be responsible, professional, kind, and good at what you do. If you do that, the work will come to you, and people will want to work with you or for you. Your value-add is significant in that respect.
Ultimately, in any profession you pursue, you should look for ways to add value.