What a Lawyer Sees, Hears and Notices

Following up on the morning's theme that visitors like to get the blogger's particular view of the world, I'll fill you in a little about the differences between being a self-employed attorney verses a big firm one. 

At big firms, you have a job and are expected to perform.  Keep your head down in the project. ABSOLULTEY make your numbers.  Get better with practice. Never make the same mistake twice.  Fit in with the company culture. Don't make waves.  Be better than everyone else if you expect to get the nice bonuses and raises, and not get booted out of the firm mid-career.  DON'T drink too much at the company Christmas party.  You'll regret it later.

About small or solo  firms.  You have a lifestyle.  Maybe not the best money.  Keep your head up and keep scanning the horizon. You have many jobs to fill. Don't get so absorbed in client work you forget to do the bookeeping right.  Make lots of mistakes. This means you are growing and developing.  Establish a nice culture, or one that makes you, the clients and the employees happy.  Occaissionally get a little silly.  No one is more unpleasant than a dried out, overly serious lawyer.  Have that cocktail every now and then.