What Type Of Person Thrives In Law, According To An Associate At Morrison And Foerster LLP
Success in the legal industry hinges on a blend of intelligence and strong interpersonal skills; Michael emphasizes the importance of teamwork ("being a team player...you can't do everything by yourself"), humility ("comfortable knowing that...I'm gonna learn"), and a willingness to both mentor and seek guidance, highlighting the significance of soft skills like hard work and attention to detail.
Teamwork, Communication, Hard Work, Mentorship, Humility
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michael Santos
Associate
Morrison & Foerster LLP
Santa Clara University
Georgetown University - JD
Business Management & Admin
Law
Legal
Took Out Loans, Transfer Student, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Strong teamwork and collaboration skills are essential for success.
2. A willingness to learn, ask questions, and be mentored is crucial, especially for junior professionals.
3. Hard work, attention to detail, and adaptability are valuable attributes across all industries, including corporate law.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in this industry?
Successful attorneys I've seen are smart and work well with others. The old adage of being a team player holds true; you can't do everything by yourself. Those who try often become unsuccessful or overwhelmed.
If you're more senior, you need to be willing to delegate, mentor, and teach. If you're junior, you must be willing to ask questions and acknowledge that you won't know everything.
Coming into the corporate space, you likely won't know much. It's important to be comfortable with that and humble enough to know you'll learn and work hard to get there.
The soft skills apply across any industry: are you a hard worker? Do you pay attention to detail? Do you ask questions? Being open to learning is also crucial. None of this is specific to the legal industry, but I've seen these qualities in successful people and have tried to emulate them myself to be successful in corporate law.