TCDLA Advice to Young Lawyers

TCDLA YOUNG LAWYERS COMMITTEE

Presents

Five Tips for New Lawyers

1.  WORK YOUR RESOURCES. Join TCDLA and/or your local criminal defense organization.  The resources are limitless.  These forums provide advice, answers to questions, transcripts, knowledge of judges and staff, etc.

2.  WATCH AND LEARN.  Go to the courthouse whenever you have time and watch as many trials and hearings as you can.  Watching is a great way to learn what works and what doesn’t.

3.  BE VULNERABLE.  Ask questions, volunteer for projects, get up in seminars, give your all at breakout sessions, say hello to everyone, try the tough cases, don’t be afraid to be afraid.

4.  BE BRAVE.  Never be afraid to try a case to a jury.  After all, as a young lawyer, you won’t win your spurs by pleading everything out.

5.  BE NICE.  When it comes to court coordinators, clerks, bailiffs, even the security guards working the courthouse door, kindness goes a long way.

*This will be published in the November 2011 issue of the TCDLA publication The Voice.  

http://www.voiceforthedefenseonline.com/

COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS

Jessica S. Phipps
The Law Office of Jamie Balagia
313 S. Main
San Antonio, TX 78204
(210) 394-3833

Mark R. Thiessen
The Thiessen Law Firm
1017 Heights Boulevard
Houston, TX 77008
(713) 864-9000
FAX: (713) 864-9006
1-855-4-TX-JUSTICE

Carl David Ceder 
The Law Offices of Carl David Ceder, PLLC 
701 East 15th Street, Suite 102 
Plano, Texas  75074
214.702.CARL(2275) – DFW Metroplex
214.206.9395 (Fax)

• www.CarlCederLaw.com

• www.DFWDefender.com

 

James Gill

1201 Rio Grande #200
Austin, TX 78701
512-448-4560
F-512-308-6780