米国 新人弁護士の心がけ

（情報追加：2008年10月10日）Be a Lawyer, Not an Employee
Develop a core professional identity in a business environment
一言でいうならプロに徹しなさいということでしょう。ぜひ見習たいものです。

----------------2008年10月6日----------------------------------
How Associates Can Stay Safe in Uncertain Times
Provide top-notch client service.
和製英語（か？）で言うならカスタマーファーストということですね。
You as a junior associate will have the smoothest path to success if you focus on providing top-notch customer service to your clients. And your first clients (and, arguably, the most important) are the senior associates and partners with whom you work daily.
Exceed the minimal expectations.
1900時間も顧客に請求しなければならないとしたらいったい、年間どのくらい働かなければならないのでしょうか？ホワイトカラーの生産性が低い日本の企業だと2倍の仕事時間が必要かも・・・
Every law firm has goals and expectations, some of which are spelled out like the billable-hour target and others that you won't find in any manual.
I strongly suggest that you figure out exactly how your performance will be measured and focus on exceeding the goals set by your firm. Thus, if the firm's billable-hour target is 1,900 hours, why would you put yourself in a situation where you have to justify why you didn't make your hours? If you are not getting sufficient work to meet the target, then you need to address this right away instead of cowering in the corner hoping that you will fly below the radar. Be proactive; this is your career!

Don't send an e-mail when you can meet in person.
これは私のまわりでも良くあります。企業知財部の場合、どうしても一人一人独立した仕事をすることになるので口頭でのコミュニケーションが少ないです。少し、意識して気をつけようと思います。
You want to avoid being the topic of a conversation between partners that starts with, "Can you believe Associate X did ..." When discussions begin that way, the partners usually go on to recount the associate's actions or inactions that drive them crazy such as failing to cite check or proofread briefs, not completing assignments on time, missing the mark completely on a project and myriad others.

Share bad news early and propose solutions for the problem.
これもよくあります。気が重いかもしれませんが上司にはすぐ報告しましょう。その場合、きちんとした対応案をもっていかないと、「あれも、これも、それもやれ！」と上司に言われてしまうので気をつけましょう。
Bad outcomes happen in the practice of law. Instead of becoming paralyzed if something does not go according to plan, go immediately to your supervising lawyer to advise her of your concerns (or mistakes).
Prepare a written professional development plan today.
これついおろそかにしてしまうんですよね。気をつけようと思います。
I strongly advocate that you prepare a concrete, written plan of personal action items you intend to pursue over the next 90, 180 and 365 days to advance your professional development. Write down the specific projects you want to undertake to sharpen your legal skills (e.g., draft an entire section of a summary judgment brief) as well as how you intend to better serve your internal and external clients (e.g., schedule lunch with your internal clients to get feedback on your work performance). Focus on skills that will serve you well regardless of whether you stay in your current firm or are compelled to move elsewhere.