What a Partner at Dinsmore and Shohl LLP Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Law Industry
Law school adequately prepared Christopher for legal practice, but not for the crucial business development aspect of the legal profession; the reality is that "you could be the smartest lawyer in the room, but if you can't engender that trust...and meet the clients where they are then you're not going to succeed."
Business Development, Client Development, Legal Practice, Networking, Communication
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Christopher Ghio
Partner
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
UCLA 2005
College of William and Mary School of Law; Juris Doctor
Political Science, American Studies
Law
Legal
Honors Student, Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. The business development and client development aspects of the legal profession are as crucial as strong legal skills.
2. Law schools excel at training students in legal practice, but often fall short in preparing them for the business development and client relationship aspects.
3. Success in law requires not only strong legal acumen but also the ability to build trust and rapport with clients through strong social skills and networking
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone would have told you before you entered the industry?
My prior answer also touched on that. It's something I had to work out personally: the business development and client development side of law is just as important as being a smart lawyer with good legal judgment.
My law school did a very good job preparing us for actual legal practice. Some law schools prepare you to be a law professor, but clients looking for legal services want someone who can cut to the chase, quickly analyze legal issues, and synthesize a clear path forward.
My law school did a great job developing us as attorneys who could do that. However, I don't think any law schools do a great job preparing lawyers for the reality of the profession. You could be the smartest lawyer, but if you can't engender trust and confidence, and socially meet clients where they are, you won't succeed.