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Significant Career Lesson from a Senior Deputy District Attorney at Orange County District Attorney
Bryan, a Senior Deputy District Attorney, emphasizes the paramount importance of reputation in the legal field, advising aspiring lawyers that "your reputation is the most important thing you have." This is because the legal community is interconnected, and how one treats others—from court staff to opposing counsel—significantly impacts their future opportunities, including judicial aspirations, as "they're gonna ask just about anyone that's ever had anything to do with you."
Professionalism, Reputation Management, Networking, Ethics, Legal Career
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Bryan Clavecilla
Sr. Deputy District Attorney
Orange County District Attorney
UCLA class of 2004
Chapman School of Law, Juris Doctor, 2007
Philosophy
Government & Public Sector, Law
Legal
Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Always treat everyone with respect, regardless of their position or role. Your reputation is paramount in the legal field and will follow you throughout your career.
2. The legal community is interconnected; how you conduct yourself professionally will impact your future opportunities and reputation.
3. Networking and maintaining positive relationships are crucial for career advancement, especially if you aspire to higher judicial roles. Your interactions with others will be scrutinized, so always conduct yourself with integrity and professionalism.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
For those of you considering a career as a lawyer, I'll give you a piece of advice I learned early on in law school. Your reputation is the most important thing you have.
The bar is a very small place, and everybody will know you. They'll know anyone you've ever burned or treated poorly.
Anytime you haven't been professional, whether with court staff, clerical members, opposing counsel, a victim, a witness, or a defendant – how you treat people says a lot about your character. It doesn't go away, and people will always remember it.
If you have aspirations later on to become a judge, a Justice of the Superior Court, or on the Appellate Court, know that they will ask almost anyone who has had anything to do with you for their opinion. So, treat people the way you want to be treated, and do it because it's the right thing to do.
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