A Roadmap for Associate Survival

The managing partner of Womble Carlyle’s Washington, D.C., office has some advice for associates, and it’s not “bill, bill, bill.”

Pamela Rothenberg recalls that was the advice she got as a new associate in an article for Legal Times. She lists her top five rules:

1. Always do good work, no matter what the project.

2. Be a problem solver rather than just a problem spotter. Don’t go to your supervisor with a problem without some suggestions for how to resolve it.

3. Take the initiative, thinking about how you can help clients beyond the instant matter.

4. Reach out to build meaningful relationships. Don’t wait for others to approach you first.

5. Don’t give up and let a difficult situation get you down.