This past month John Trimble spoke with us and shared his advice for young and new lawyers. John is a Partner at Lewis Wagner where he has spent the last 40+ years representing clients in complex litigation. John is also past President of the Indianapolis Bar Association. Here is what John had to share.
What important things do you know now about law practice that you wish you would have known in your first few years of practice?
First, I wish I would have known to calm down when bad things happen because things often have a way of getting worked out. Not every time, but most of the time. Additionally, don’t be intimidated by more senior lawyers. Most are very approachable, and most prefer to be called by their first names. They are happy to be helpful and supportive.
I had no idea how many doors and opportunities would come my way from being intimately involved in bar associations. I never imagined that one day I would have lawyer friends in every major city in the US and many major cities around the world. I never imagined that law would eventually take me to all 50 states.
What organizations do you recommend getting involved in early in your practice?
The Indianapolis Bar Association, any specialty bar in your substantive practice area, and any national bar association that interests you (e.g., ABA, DRI, NBA, AJC and others).
What steps should young lawyers take to make the most of mentorship opportunities?
Some mentors, but not all, will be proactive in mentoring. However, the best approach is for you to seek out time to discuss things. Those things can relate to career advice, practice pointers, or life as a lawyer in general. What is important is that you take the initiative to be mentored.
What is something you did early on in your career that was influential to your practice now?
I learned to be very, very responsive. I set expectations and then exceeded them. I learned to be a reliable volunteer and do what I was asked. I learned to listen well. I learned to pick up the phone and communicate directly with others rather than writing to them. We don’t do this enough as lawyers. I learned to admit that I did not know the answer and ask for guidance. Finally, I always told the absolute truth. Period.
What is your best networking tip?
Be yourself, don’t sell yourself, and be a good listener. Arm yourself with lots of questions to ask a stranger to get to know them and pay attention and remember their answers. Follow up with them with a personal note and invite them to join you on LinkedIn.
What was the biggest 'learning experience' in your practice?
My biggest learning experience, among others, was learning how to lose and not blame the judge.
What words of encouragement would you/do you tell yourself on the hardest days of practice?
I always remind myself how badly I wanted to be a lawyer and how many people don’t get into law school or pass the bar. I reflect on the fact that I get to do many things that the average person never gets to do. I remind myself that winners work harder even when the going gets tough.
How do you give back to the community (legal and general)?
I am a bar association junkie. I belong to 12 bar associations. I am active to some degree in all of them. I am also committed to the mission of the Indianapolis Legal Aid Society.
What changes do you anticipate to the practice of law in the upcoming years?
The advancement of AI is going to change our practices dramatically in more ways than I can list here. Our clients will expect us to do things quicker, much more efficiently, and charge them less.
What skills should a young lawyer learn early on in their career that will promote success later?
Good listening skills. Learning to be utterly responsive. Learning about your own implicit biases and the implicit biases of others, and using that knowledge to be more patient and understanding of others. Be reflective about every experience you have and learn from it no matter how long you practice. Don’t shy away from person-to-person communication. Use the phone to call others and meet people in person when you can. Finally, networking and bar association involvement is critical to success.
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
I would be more selective in all the extracurricular things I did early in my career to meet people. I did too much. It benefited me, and I made lifelong connections and friendships from it, but I should have been more selective.
This is something that I would NOT do differently, but many would. I always put my family first. If a client wanted me to sacrifice a family activity, I did not do it. I have no regrets whatsoever.
One final thing I will end on: Take care of your health always. Take days off and vacations. Disconnect. Don’t read email and texts at night. They can wait until morning. Don’t smoke. Enoy alcohol but guard your health and your reputation.
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