Law Firm Recruiter Tips for Junior Lawyers

“We loved you, but we’ve decided to go with someone more senior.” If you’re a junior associate, you’ve probably heard this line. Maybe more than once. It feels like it’s become a trend for some, and not a fun one. So…what’s going on? After months of speaking with candidates, reading hundreds of CVs, and hearing feedback from Partners and recruitment teams, one thing is clear: The definition of a ‘mid-level’ lawyer has shifted. Where 3 PQE used to guarantee certain responsibilities (i.e. leading on matters, managing juniors, driving deals) today, firms are often only seeing this from 4+ PQE. But why? Over the last couple of years many teams simply didn’t have enough work. Juniors qualified into quieter markets. Fewer deals = fewer chances to step up. Now, some of those lawyers lack the experience and skills that firms are searching for in their lateral ‘mid-levels’. If you’re a junior associate, here’s my advice: - Take ownership whenever you can. Ask to draft, ask to lead, be seen. - Build real relationships. Most jobs boil down to being about relationships. Create connections with mentors, Partners, recruiters, and your peers. - Be forensic with your CV. Firms are looking beyond the headline deals and firm names. They want to know specifically about your role, not just what your team did. And if your current team isn’t giving you enough chances? Maybe it’s time for a strategic move. Your future mid-level self will thank you. Sonder Consultants

I’m a lawyer turned recruiter. And I wish I knew this as a baby lawyer: Success isn’t about all-nighters, designer suits, or prestigious titles. Now, as a legal recruiter, I see it clearly. Here are 10 Hard-Earned Lessons: 1. A Big-Name Firm Isn’t the Only Way to Succeed 🚀 ↳ Your greatest mentor might not be a high-flying partner. ↳ It's the senior associate who patiently explains the basics. 2. You’re at the Bottom of the Hierarchy 🙇♂️ ↳ It goes pantry lady, secretary, partner, senior associate, associate… ↳ And then, finally, you. 3. You Don’t Need Designer Clothes to Fit In 👔 ↳ No one’s handing out promotions for wearing luxury brands. ↳ Show up as yourself—most partners started with nothing, just like you. 4. When You Need to Go, Just Go 🚻 ↳ Holding it in during a packed courtroom isn’t brave—it’s unhealthy. ↳ Take the break. (And maybe skip that third coffee! ☕) 5. Don’t Work Late Just to Be Seen ⏰ ↳ Staying late isn’t a badge of honor. Use your downtime. ↳ But when it’s crunch time, show up and deliver. 6. Learn From Everyone 👀 ↳ From the receptionist who knows every client by name… ↳ To the partner who commands the room—there’s wisdom everywhere. Pay attention. 7. Ask Questions—Even the “Stupid” Ones ❓ ↳ Faking it won’t help you grow. ↳ Your curiosity is your superpower. Use it. 8. Reputation Is Everything 🌍 ↳ The legal world is tiny. Every interaction matters. ↳ What you say, how you act—it all comes back around. 9. Ditch the Legalese ✂️ ↳ No one’s impressed by jargon. ↳ Get to the point—clients don’t have time for mental gymnastics. 10. Your Career Is Yours to Shape ✨ ↳ Carve your own route ↳ Even if it doesn’t look like anyone else’s. If I could go back, these are the lessons I’d tell my younger self. What did I miss? What else would you add? 👇 ♻️ Share this to inspire your network. ➕ Follow Shulin Lee for more. P.S. I learned No. 4 the hard way—let’s just say it involved a packed courtroom and zero exits in sight. P.P.S. Lesson? Don’t challenge your bladder. And yes, skip that third coffee. ☕

Many new associates will begin their careers at law firms this month. Having run a law firm over the past 16 years, I’ve learned what makes an associate stand out and excel. Here's how it's done: 1. Write concise emails A partner does not want to read a long email analyzing a particular question or issue. The partner does not have time to read and understand it. Your job is to take the issue at hand and distill it into a few bullet points that can be easily understood. 2. Know what you don't know. Feel free to admit it and ask good questions Partners expect that you need to learn. It is a lot easier to be around a humble associate who asks good questions than someone who thinks they know everything and constantly makes mistakes. 3. Always be improving It is noticeable to a partner when you make improvements. It doesn't matter whether your writing advances, you develop your research skills or you just get better at fielding and answering questions. If you make it a mission to learn and improve every day, it will get noticed. 4. Make a partner's life easier When a client sends a long email, if you can summarize it for the partner and even draft an initial response, you've just made their life 10x easier that day. If your draft responses become the actual responses the partner sends, you become irreplaceable. 5. Develop a good bedside manner If people like you and feel comfortable working with you, a partner will trust you to work directly with a client. If you are cold or off-putting you might be kept far away from direct client interaction. 6. Communicate with partners about the turnaround time for your work You might receive work requests from multiple different partners. Make sure you communicate and ask when something needs to be returned. This way here you are meeting the expectations of the partner (who is your biggest client btw). 7. Don't take advantage of work-from-home policies If you are lucky enough to be working remotely, make sure you are working just as hard as you would in the office. You should also always be available to partners during working hours. If you take advantage of the system, people will know. It will affect your career significantly. 8. Be a hard worker and work long hours Yes, I know..."hustle culture" is not cool these days. But, hard work never goes out of style. Partners notice who is working hard and who is on cruise control. This will affect your ability to be promoted and even keep your job. ============= Are there any tips you would add to my list? #attorneys #lawyers #legalcareers