by Stephany Alvarez
Stepping into the practice of law can be both exciting and daunting. In this recurring column, the BBJ is pleased to offer seasoned advice and practical tips for new lawyers and law students to help them thrive in their careers.
As the curtains drew on your law school journey you probably felt overwhelmed with emotions, all of which were overshadowed by the impending milestone you must conquer called the bar exam. Passing the bar exam was one of the proudest moments of my life. It is a testament to all the hard work, time, and effort we put into this one test that dictates the beginning of our careers.
The curtains are now opening on your professional stage. As new attorneys, we are all figuring out where we fit best. Being an attorney comes with many challenges, but it is riddled with lessons and experiences that will shape you to be a better person and advocate.
The progression of my career was, and continues to be, quite remarkable. I passed the bar exam in June 2022 and by November 2022, at 28 years old, I found myself with my own firm, an employee, and a roster of clients to attend to. My two younger sisters and I are first-generation Americans, born in Queens, New York. My parents were both born in Ecuador and immigrated to America in the early 1990s. This often brought a unique blend of cultures, values, and challenges. We grew up with a mix of my family’s cultural traditions and those of the American society around us. I was the first in my family to graduate college, so earning a law degree was not only an achievement for me, but for my family.
As I started law school, the number one question I was asked was about my plans for the future. I would never have a solid answer because I had no idea what my career would look like. I imagined I would work at a firm when I left law school, but I never thought I would find myself running my own practice. I’ve always been someone who lives in the moment, and, while that has never changed, I had an evident anxiety about what the future held. I started my first job at 18 years old as a legal secretary. From there, I worked my way up to a legal assistant and eventually worked as an attorney for that same firm. Four short months into getting licensed to practice law, my boss was offered a position as an assistant registrar for the Springfield Probate and Family Court. He accepted the job and graciously gave me two options. The first option was he would close the firm and I would go off on my own to navigate my way as a new attorney. The second option was I would take his place and run the firm and all the clients that came with it. I obviously stayed and was thrown into the lion’s den. My boss’s transition happened within three weeks. That meant I had three weeks to learn how to run a business while still developing my legal craft. By mid-November, I was going to court daily, practicing alongside attorneys I look up to, and who had double to triple the experience I had.
Practicing on my own presented unique challenges. Income can fluctuate, particularly in the early stages, making financial planning and stability more challenging. I was lucky enough to have an amazing boss who gave me a solid foundation of loyal clients when I began, but keeping your clients can be more difficult than getting them. Retaining clients requires a lot of time and attentive work. Working alone can lead to professional isolation, lacking colleagues to consult with or share experiences and knowledge. Luckily, I had the privilege of working alongside and across from so many knowledgeable and pleasant attorneys every day. I recommend holding your professional colleagues close and always treating them with respect and professional courtesy. Balancing your legal work with administrative tasks, client management, and business development can be overwhelming without support staff. I did not have much time to research business management, but I was lucky to have a helpful assistant handle some of the minor daily tasks while I managed my legal and professional development. Maintaining a work/life balance can be very challenging as an attorney, so it is imperative that you make time for yourself and your close ones.
A year and a half into practicing law, I learned that the Central Housing Court was expanding and looking for a new Assistant Clerk Magistrate. I decided to apply, and, to my never-ending surprise, I was offered the job and excitedly accepted. I am happy to say that I now work for the Housing Court, alongside fellow lawyers and judges who inspire me every day. I am lucky enough to observe cases every day, even preside over some on my own, and experience the functions of law from a different perspective.
My career trajectory is one I dreamed of as a law student. I was lucky enough to have stumbled upon opportunities that challenged me endlessly, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. This undoubtedly came with a lot of lessons I learned in a very short period of time.
- Stress Management. This is imperative when you are starting out as a new lawyer. As a relatively anxious person, having to make arguments in front of a court on a daily basis took a lot of mental gymnastics. Try to identify your stressors and work to develop healthy coping mechanisms that work best for you. Take breaks and set boundaries for yourself. Practicing law is stressful and can challenge your mental health in the worst way. You know yourself best, so make sure you know your limits and do not be afraid to walk away from a case or a client that is damaging for you. Remember that the difficult times are only temporary and there are cases you will win and some you will lose. Don’t be afraid to lose or make mistakes, as they will serve as lessons for the next time.
- Cultivate Empathy and Compassion. Remember that we deal with human stories every day. Behind every case lies a human story fraught with emotions, struggles, and expectations. It can be extremely difficult to turn someone away. As attorneys, we are not only officers of the court, but we also advocates for our clients. Listen attentively to your clients’ concerns, empathize with their experiences, and advocate for their rights with compassion and honesty. The attorney-client relationship is built on trust, honesty, and confidentiality. Refrain from acting in a way that would dismantle that bond.
- Shape Meaningful Connections. Your success in the legal profession is linked to your ability to build and nurture meaningful connections. Cultivate professional relationships with fellow attorneys, judges, clients, and mentors. Don’t be a jerk! Be kind to those around you and never think that you are better or greater than the next person. Leveraging strong professional relationships will help you learn and grow both personally and professionally. Never be afraid to ask others for help and never assume you are the smartest person in the room. Remember to hold the personal relationships you have close to you. I would not be where I am without the support of my colleagues, friends and family. They have seen tears, frustrations, and feelings of hopelessness throughout my legal journey and have offered nothing but love and encouragement. Small acts of kindness from your close ones could be what gets you through a tough day.
- Embrace your Unique Journey. The biggest lesson that life has brought me is to take advantage of unique opportunities as they come. Taking career risks is very scary but can be the most rewarding thing you do for yourself. Never limit yourself to one thing, and always think of the bigger picture. Embrace the journey with open arms and understand that success is not defined by a linear path or by wealth, but by the richness of your experiences and the impact you make on others along the way. Seize every opportunity to learn, grow, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Embrace the adventure with courage, resilience, and unwavering determination because your journeys are just beginning. Before you know it, the curtains will draw again on another chapter, and you will find yourself on a bigger stage.
Stephany Alvarez graduated from Assumption University with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2016 and earned her J.D. at Massachusetts School of Law in 2022. She is an Assistant Clerk Magistrate for the Central Housing Court.
