The first 90 days as a junior advocate

The first 90 days at chambers or a firm define what kind of advocate you are becoming. Here is what I tell every junior who joins me.

Month one: watch, file, and earn the right to speak

• Sit in on every case conference you're allowed into. Take notes on what the Senior asks — not what the Senior says.
• Learn the registry. The court staff who stamp your filings will make or break your first year.
• Never ask a question in a conference you haven't tried to answer first in writing.

Month two: own two briefs, end-to-end

You will be given small matters — consumer forum, traffic challans, cheque-bounce replies. Take them seriously. These are the matters you draft start-to-finish, and the drafts live forever in chambers.

Month three: protect your legibility

Your handwriting, your filing deadlines, your e-mail subject lines. Seniors promote juniors who are legible. The substance follows.

In your first year, don't try to be brilliant. Be the person the chamber can rely on. Brilliance can wait.