by Ryan McKeen
Across the country, mostly sane people are trading their beach towels for contracts books. For many this is the first week of law school. A person enters the legal profession the moment he sets foot in orientation.
Here’s the best advice I can give you: Your reputation in the legal profession starts taking shape in orientation. Guard your reputation with your life.
Your classmates will become your colleagues. You’ll need them for referrals. If you’re trustworthy, they’ll seek your counsel once you pass the bar.
Coming to class unprepared harms your reputation. Doing so will follow you throughout your career.
There are limitless ways you can harm your reputation during law school. Don’t do any of them.
What I think a lot of the younger set of law students forget is that they are officially now adults. Yes, you are the age of majority in college, but you still have a virtual license to be somewhat irresponsible. Day one of law school should terminate that license, but a lot of old college habits carry over- especially for those entering law school right away.
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