Gerald Pauling and Molly Joyce Quoted in Chicago Lawyer
“Points to Ponder”

Gerald Pauling and Molly Joyce were quoted in the September 2009 Chicago Lawyer article, “Points to Ponder.” The article discussed the advice that local lawyers have for law students and recent graduates as they start their path to practicing law in this changing legal community.

Gerald recommended that “students should begin to focus on a specialty as early in their law school career as possible…. Also, begin networking now. Focus on building relationships with other law students, professors, law firm representatives and lawyers generally. These are your colleagues and will be your professional contacts for the rest of your career. Find mentors and contacts by getting involved not only in law school organizations, but also professional associations or bar association activities that correspond to your interests.”

Molly recommended that law students should focus on honing their writing skills: “Your writing is often the first—and sometimes the only—chance you have to effectively communicate with a judge, a client, or a potential employer.” She also suggested that law students “get as much real world experience as possible” by “working as a judicial extern, participating in a moot court society or volunteering for a non-profit legal agency” in the event they have difficulty finding a summer job. “Although these positions are typically unpaid,” she noted, “they offer tremendous experience that you cannot get in the classroom and will put you ahead of the competition.”