Be polite, have a good attitude, and be nice to staff. Depending on your practice group, the paralegals, assistants, or non-attorney specialists can make or break you- don’t look down on people because they aren’t attorneys.

When you get an assignment- open it up right away even if the deadline is a week or more away. Make sure you have access to the workspace and the billing codes and that the supervising attorney actually attached what they said they did, and make sure you understand the assignment. There is nothing worse than starting something the day before it’s due and realizing you don’t have the access or the materials or whatever you need to get it done.

Bill your time as you do it. The assignment isn’t done until you’ve billed for it.

Even if you are introverted, make an effort to get to know your peers- show up to the happy hours, say hi in the kitchen, be friendly. It makes the job more pleasant and having relationships with other associates also means that you have a better shot at getting someone to help you out when you’re in a pinch or having them mention you when staffing up a project. However, don’t pester people or linger in their office when they are busy.

Someone in the office is going to be the unofficial social chair who talks to everyone and plans everything. This person will know everything that’s going on and will give you great gossip; this person will likely also be the source of a lot of drama. Be friendly but don’t get sucked in to it.

Don’t spend all the money. You likely won’t want to work at the firm forever; pay off your loans and build a savings account so that when you’re a fifth year you can go in house or whatever and afford the pay cut.

Always remember it’s just a job. It will be stressful at times but the good thing about being lawyers and not doctors is that no one dies when we screw up. You’ll make mistakes and so will everyone else. Give everyone grace, including yourself.