-: I don't know that there's a particular first job.
The reality of it is, you really have to develop
a reputation that you're a very good lawyer,
and that you're honest and people can trust you,
because you're never gonna be able to anticipate
who's gonna decide.
You're really never gonna be able to anticipate
whether this party in power will also be the same party
that your senators are.
And maybe their senators are different political parties,
and you really are not gonna know
what they're particularly looking for.
I would suggest that whether you go into private practice
or government service, that you become active in the bar,
that you make as many contacts as possible,
and you become known as somebody who's participated
in the bar, and can be trusted and is honest,
and is a good lawyer.
I think you have to be able to demonstrate
that you're somebody who is going to be able
to ultimately generate business,
somebody who can work well with clients.
You can be the greatest lawyer on the planet,
but if nobody knows of you, there's nobody
to give you business or refer you clients.
And so, I think it's important that wherever you end up,
wherever a young lawyer ends up,
that they firmly participate in bar activities.
That can be the local bar, it can be a specialty bar.
Most mid-sized or even small cities have something called
an Inn of Court, you can find where those are
and participate in the Inns of Court, they take some time.
But you'll meet other lawyers, you'll meet
some senior lawyers, some outstanding lawyers,
judiciary usually does participate
in different Inns of Courts.
It allows you let yourself be known.
You can find a mentor through these different organizations
who can give you some advice as you proceed through
your career, as well as meet other people
who are at your level or higher levels.
Because while your first job often will be determined
in part based upon your class rank and where
you went to school, likely your second, third,
and fourth jobs are all gonna be based upon your reputation
in the community, the contacts you have when you become
aware that other firms or other organizations are hiring
through people that you know.
Those next jobs are going to be more impacted by
your participation in the community
and reputation as a lawyer.