Program instills ‘The Winning Edge’ in law students
Program instills ‘The Winning Edge’ in law students
Associate Editor
Most lawyers remember a time when they went to their classes in jeans and t-shirts carrying backpacks — more likely thinking about what’s on their exams than what’s ahead in their futures as lawyers, particularly when it comes to considering “The Winning Edge,” or, rather, how they will find their professional identity and embody the professionalism standards of The Florida Bar.
A panel discussion at the Florida State University College of Law, where Tallahassee attorneys discussed how law students can cultivate their professional identities, build relationships, and establish a positive reputation, was hosted in March through a team effort of The Young Lawyers Division’s Law Student Division, the Bar’s Standing Committee on Professionalism, and the Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism.
Ben Gibson, a YLD board member and assistant general counsel to Gov. Rick Scott, offered a forthright piece of advice to the students.
“Look sharp, act sharp, be sharp,” Gibson said. Later, he would share another sagacious thought: “Don’t lose your cool.”
Moderated by Nancy Benavides, FSU’s associate dean for student affairs, the discussion covered everything from dressing well, behaving appropriately, and taking a second glance at emails before hitting send.
The attorneys on the panel also included Sean Desmond, past chair of the Standing Committee on Professionalism and a former YLD president; Marisa Button, a government attorney; and Andrew Manko, a YLD board member.
On the topic of first impressions, Desmond said many eyes in the community will be watching.
“People do watch you. People do think about you in a certain way, depending on how you present yourself,” Desmond said. “What I’ve learned is how you behave all of the time matters so much.”
He warned against joining the crowd that “goes crazy” at an open bar, and the next thing you know, their eyes are glazing over and they are saying stupid things.
“It’s not just what you wear, or how you look at 2 o’clock in the afternoon or 9 a.m., it’s how you look on Friday night,” Desmond said.
“In 2008, I decided to run for judge. Prior to that, I didn’t think about those issues. Once I became a judicial candidate, I remember someone saying, ‘OK, now that you’re running for judge, you will not be seen out in public with an alcohol drink, period.’”
Benavides said that the purpose of the discussion was to provide students with a toolkit to help them get some ideas on their mental radar that will hone and develop their professional identity and reputations in the community as new lawyers.
“It takes nine positive interactions with an individual to counteract a negative first impression,” Benavides explained. “That speaks volumes about how important first impressions are.”
With a smile, Button offered some words about first impressions. “You don’t want wild hair,” she said. “The big thing to keep in mind is when you are meeting with potential clients, you want them to focus on what you have to say. . . as opposed to what you’re wearing.”
“Be yourself. When you do that, you have confidence, and that’s what gives you a winning edge when you walk into a room,” she said.
Manko shared an embarrassing incident he suffered as a student intern at a New York City law firm. He accidentally sent an email complaining about having to work late to the partner he was working with, instead of a friend he intended to send it to.
The email said something like: “He’s staying late. I guess that means I’m staying late. WOO HOO!”
“I clicked send, and I didn’t even know that I had done it,” Manko admitted. “I emailed back immediately and apologized.”
Luckily, the attorney on the receiving end had a good sense of humor about it.
Manko said when you make a mistake, own it.
“There’s no excuse for doing something like that,” Manko said. “Be very careful.”
“The law is a literary profession,” Benavides said. “Written communication is extremely important. You want to make sure that everything you send out is a reflection of you and your best work product, even if it’s a short email communication.”
Desmond had a few pointers about achieving success as an attorney.
“Be reliable,” he said. “You will be amazed at how the doors will open.”
“You could have the whole package, but if someone knows that they can’t rely on you, they’ll never say anything to you about it, but they’ll just start asking someone else. Just be aware of that.”
“The Winning Edge” program was launched at the FSU College of Law and will be offered at the remaining 11 law schools in Florida later this year.
