Top 10 tips for graduate lawyers at law firms

If you're starting out at a law firm, you're probably wondering how to make a good first impression. Becoming technically competent matters (and you will, over time), but being great at the non-technical parts is what makes you shine in your first few months — and stays essential throughout your career. These are actions any graduate can take straight away; they helped me feel more secure in the job, double my graduate salary within three years, and build my career the way I wanted.

1. Taking instructions

Most graduates don't know how to take instructions well — and getting it wrong is like ordering a cake and receiving a donut box, five days late. Write down the answers to four things: background (who you're acting for, key facts and documents), deliverables (what's needed, and in what form), timing / budget (when it's needed to review, and how long it should take), and the matter number (where to post your time, and any narrative notes). Then read the instructions back to confirm, and update your colleague as soon as anything changes.

2. File management and version control

Name documents the way your colleagues already do on the matter (e.g. "202X-02-28 — memo from Law Firm A re abuse of power (version 5)"). When sending, share the master editable link plus a read-only copy. When amending, always track changes, and ask whether to continue the existing mark-up or accept it and show only yours.

Full guide: How to manage files and matters

3. Preparing for and attending meetings

• Offer to send calendar invites and reminders.
• Ask if there are documents you can prepare or bring in advance.
• Have any likely-referenced documents to hand.
• For virtual meetings, arrive early and learn the system (screen share, breakout rooms).
• For in-person, check the route and when to leave.
• Take notes, then summarise them afterwards.
• Ask whether to circulate an action list or summary.

4. Research memos

• Structure them: Introduction / Question → Answer / Summary → Explanation and Supporting Reasoning → Conclusion.
• Ask how long you should spend before reporting back.
• Check in early to test your direction (set a time).
• Cross-reference and attach relevant cases; highlight the relevant provisions.
• If you can't find the answer, include your resources and search terms.

Full guide: How to write legal research memos

5. Managing multiple tasks

You'll often work across matters with conflicting deadlines you can't just "work harder" to beat. Sometimes it's better to say no — quality work beats more work every time. Estimate how long a task will take, then add 30% as a buffer. And don't get stuck in the middle:

Full guide: How to manage up

6. Drafting emails for colleagues to send

Ghostwriting is a chance to learn client communication with feedback built in. To make a draft easy to review:

1. clearly identify and attach all relevant documents (double-check them);
2. set out any questions or assumptions;
3. set out the recipients ("to" and "cc");
4. mark it clearly as a "Draft Email";
5. include the sender's email signature.

7. Being a proactive lawyer

Let others know when you have capacity — not just partners, but junior lawyers, fellow grads and support teams, across offices and practice groups. And don't only chase technical skills: getting involved in other initiatives (BD, legal tech, precedents, diversity and social committees) makes you a more well-rounded lawyer.

8. Time recording

Save colleagues time and avoid write-offs by writing narratives that make sense to the client. Ask for a finalised bill to see the house style, then aim for concise but informative descriptions, e.g. "Reviewing contract (clauses 1–32) to develop risk register" or "Preparing research memo for the purpose of advice re [issue]".

9. Take your work to your 100%

Nobody expects technically perfect work from day one, but there's an expectation you'll take it to your own 100% first: read every attachment, fix obvious formatting (cross-reference errors), check spelling, and present bundles neatly. Prepare work as if it would go to the client unchecked — treat your colleague as the client, not a safety net.

10. Learning through mistakes

Mistakes are part of learning — be upfront and honest, because they can usually be fixed. The tougher part is taking feedback seriously but not personally: list the lessons instead of dwelling on the feelings, picture how you'd advise a friend getting the same feedback, and ask for help if you're struggling.