Building an Ownership Mindset as a Gen Z Junior Associate
Rachael Bosch, CEO and founder of Fringe Professional Development, and Dareth Finn, a partner at VOYlegal, impart advice from their years as recruiters in the legal industry to Gen Z associates starting out in their law careers. Bosch and Finn note that the current generation of junior associates appear to have different challenges than their senior counterparts, mostly struggling with the more fluid requirements of being part of a practice.
To maximize their impact at a firm, the duo suggest some tips that young associates can consider to take ownership of their time as an associate.
Moving Beyond the Checklist Mentality
While law school rewards correct answers and mastery of certain materials, law firm partners value associates who can also venture beyond just what was instructed. They would like to see associates take initiative, instead of just addressing specific questions that are asked. Three ways of doing that include:
- Build Your Ownership Mindset
In practice, they suggest considering the broader context of what the client is trying to achieve when receiving a task as an associate, and also understanding how this fits into the larger strategy. It would also help the firm for an associate to keep in mind any issue that may arise, and to flag those pro-actively.
- Learn Through Feedback
Don’t approach feedback defensively, and always understand that good feedback is not personal criticism. It can be a great learning opportunity for growth. If you receive edits on your work, you could ask the partner about the reasons behind any major revisions, why arguments were restructured.
Are you interested gaining ownership over your legal career? Read more in this law.com article.
