3 Rules for New Lawyers (How to be a Great Law Firm Associate)

Out of law school, Brett had no idea what it took to be a successful lawyer. He was a summer associate at a "Big Law" firm (Skadden Arps), although that only helped so much. He still had all the usual questions -- what do lawyers really do each day? What are law firm partners looking for in their law firm associates?

So, to help out new lawyers starting their journey just out of law school, here are three rules (tips) for you to be successful as a lawyer (particularly as a law firm associate).

Watch the video and let us know what you think.

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Have questions? Book a call, and talk to Brett today:

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You can reach Brett through:


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Brett A. Cenkus has 20+ years of experience in business law, finance, and entrepreneurship. Through Cenkus Law, PC, he provides advice and services for mergers & acquisitions (M&A), securities offerings, founders’ agreements, and other general business law issues.

Through Braaten Woods, LLC, Brett helps business owners in the lower middle market ($2MM - $25MM) position themselves for sale, find buyers, negotiate, and close M&A deals.

Brett regularly consults with entrepreneurs and invests his own capital as an angel investor.

From 2010-2013, Brett served as Chief Legal Counsel of a publicly-traded international oilfield services company. From 2001 to 2006, he and a partner founded and built Paragon Residential Mortgage. Bridge Investments acquired Paragon in 2006.

Brett holds a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania.

Brett lives in Austin with his wife, Cathryn, and two children. He enjoys reading, squash, classic movies, great food and wine, and the New England Patriots.

#corporatelaw #mergersandaquisitions #businesslaw #corporatelawyer

[MrPeperoni]

A lot of caffeine has been consumed in preparation for this clip.

[aalegalfocus]

Hi, Brett- I worked as a weekend legal asst. at Skadden in DC during law school and my ex worked there for a year. Thanks for sharing your advice here.

[otheryoutube]

Thank you for this video. I was a very curious, proactive kid at my first associate job and I thought I did it wrong. My senior associate even scolded me for asking dumb questions and told me why can't I just say "copy understood"! Now I know I got the right attitude as a rookie. Thank you for all your wisdom and perspective sir. Will watch more of your YT content. 😊

[krysseeryssee]

Your baby associate is lucky. You seem like a great boss / mentor / fellow colleague. There are so many employment horror stories (including my own) that normally comprise an attorney’s first years in the profession. Had I known what it was going to be like I would have made it my full time job to vet any potential employers before committing instead of diving head first off of a jetty during low tide into a raging rip current of law.

[angelo.dalbello]

Actually I'm a french student and your videos are very inspirational to me. Thank You Brett!

[kaushalraipancholia]

Love the videos! I've just graduated undergrad and I'm looking to go to law school in a few years to become a corporate lawyer.

[justincamper]

Thanks for this! I'm a young atty so it was a great video to watch

[paulbetts]

Very perspective and insightful video!

[sakshikakkar]

Thank you! You hand-hold and explain in a very kind and empathetic way! Thank you!

[IdinSabahipour]

Great video, Brett. Thanks for the insight!

[derajng]

Thank you for taking the time for this advice

[reviewu]

This video is brilliant. I am starting as a junior lawyer at a private M&A practice in Australia and I found these tips to be really helpful. Could you do another video on how to improve legal skills?

[yulandahuang]

really enjoyed your content! thank you so much for sharing

[michaelaltobelli]

Great insights about mentor ship. I am currently a sales rep and have been digging deep to determine if law school is my desired path. I enjoy business and would love working with all types. I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Do you feel like your law career has fulfilled a path of “entrepreneurship”?

[detail_coach]

Thanks for your video. your advice could also be applied for korean associate lawyer

[shubhayanchakraborty]

Can you please do a video on securities law... And whether they should be good with maths and what they actually do...

[vukstevanic]

Great advice. Thank you, lots of love from an independent baby lawyer from Serbia :)))

[AbdulWahab-vvmi]

Hey Brett. Big fan. I graduated law school in the last May, during my college years I know that I would like to be a business attorney. Therefore I am now involved with Capital Market Authority (in my country) and I have been wondering if the CFA program would help me to become a better business attorney? Having second-thoughts since it requires an equal effort of a master degree! Thank you, cannot wait to hear your input on this and keep up the great work!

[ChannelPengacaraTanpaTembok]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Brett. Good video 👍🇮🇩

[adamyonghaozheng]

Hey! Great video! Really helped me but I got a question. I found a mentor and all but the question is directed to the 2nd(getting curious like a 3yr old). I love the idea of being curious but will I be presented as "annoying" if I did so? I haven't started the job but I will be next week.

I don't really want to be that 3yr old where asking tons of questions that it cause problems in the firm. 😂 Other than that, great video!