Confessions of a Rookie Lawyer
(Or, I survived my first year practicing law)
By Corey L. Cornelison

I’ve come a long way in my first year as a practicing attorney. Let me take you back to that fateful day.

A mere two days after learning that I actually passed the bar exam, I arrived for my first day as a lawyer in a law firm. The office I was provided was sparse — as would be expected. I noticed rather quickly, however, that there was not a telephone on my desk. Was a phone in an office a perk, something to aspire to? I wasn’t terribly concerned. After all, I certainly had no business talking to anyone about anything.

I had, of course, come face to face with my newest biggest fear: I was scared to death people would assume I knew something about the law. Didn’t graduation from law school and a passing score on the bar exam presuppose a great intellectual achievement and legal scholar? But I digress. Flash back to that first day in the minimally furnished first office of my yet-to-be-distinguished legal career.

There came that point in my day where I was obliged to phone my mother to confirm to her satisfaction that I actually did have an actual job as an actual attorney in an actual law firm. (The firm name on her caller ID would serve as my evidence). I cornered the receptionist and meekly inquired where such a phone call could be accomplished. With great distress, she apologized for the oversight. “After all,” it was explained, “you’ll need to be able to speak with clients.” WHAT?!? Surely this was a mistake. Or a bad, and not very interesting, scene out of a Twilight Zone episode. TALK TO CLIENTS? Didn’t they understand that I was not qualified to talk to anyone about anything?

Well, I don’t have to tell you that I did eventually have my first conversation with a client on the telephone. I even met with clients face to face, wrote engaging letters and had what I am proud to say were semi-intelligent conversations with other lawyers. I’ve even had the great pleasure of being on the receiving end of actual compliments from actual clients about actual cases. It’s been a banner year, indeed.

Yeah, but what have I learned, you ask? I can tell you that one of the things I love about the practice of law is that I learn something new every day. Literally. Of course, this same attribute also serves as the bane of my existence. I would occasionally like to have one solid day dedicated to things I already know.

I have also discovered that I have no qualms about telling anyone who will listen that I am new here — much to the chagrin of the partners in my firm. I’m sure. It’s not like it is a secret. What does my bar number tell anyone who pays attention? “I’M NEW,” that’s what. Besides, the worst that happens is that my ignorance is forgiven. But what happens more often is that experienced attorneys — regardless of what “side” we are on — will graciously offer their guidance. And I eagerly accept.

Ms. Cornelison practices law in Tulsa.

“I learn something new every day.”