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What It Takes to Be a Great Attorney Qualities that come to mind when I think about the epitome of a successful and respected attorney are organization, dedication, and flexibility -- to name a few. By Teresa Gutierrez Are you considering opening your own practice (whether straight out of law school or transitioning from work in a law firm)? For a law firm owner, challenges on a given day might include deadlines for existing clients in and out of the courtroom, interactions with opposing counsel, concerns about law firm revenue, and countless other issues. [Extracted from the article]

As GenAI is well known by the masses and even used internally by traditional corporate clients of BigLaw, clients will demand that their lawyers use this ground-breaking technology, and so lawyers must use it to keep those clients. For this reason, GenAI chatbots for legal clients will not replace lawyers anytime soon, and they should be trained not to give legal advice to clients who prompt them. Technology specifically designed for law firm users (commonly known as legaltech) along with technology adjacent and adaptable to law practice has evolved rapidly since the pandemic, and even more so since the advent of ChatGPT in November 2022. Being transparent that an interface is a GenAI chatbot trained by the law firm and on legal data specifically will go a long way to building trust with clients using that technology. [Extracted from the article]

By leveraging the power of artificial intelligence, attorneys using ChatGPT can revolutionize the way lawyers work and pave the way for a more agile and adaptable legal profession. Attorneys can leverage ChatGPT to compose and review client emails, respond to client questions promptly, and keep clients informed about the latest developments in their cases. ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered virtual assistant, can revolutionize the way attorneys work while on the move. [Extracted from the article]

This article, titled "Life's Lessons and Unexpected Challenges: A Shift in Perspective," discusses the author's personal experience of facing unexpected challenges while pursuing a career in law. The author shares their experience of discovering a brain tumor during law school, undergoing surgery, and dealing with the tumor's regrowth. They emphasize the importance of prioritizing what is truly important in life and finding a balance between personal and professional responsibilities. The author also highlights the significance of learning from failures and maintaining a perspective that goes beyond professional success. [Extracted from the article]

(Debra Cassens Weiss, AI Program Earned Passing Bar Exam Scores on Evidence and Torts; Can It Work in Court? How about if I tell you that a number of law professors have tested AI by having an AI device take law school examinations and answer questions such as may appear on a bar examination? AI AND THE LAW Now you may well wonder why I chose to write about AI and chatbots in a magazine for lawyers. [Extracted from the article]

The COVID-19 pandemichas disruptedour lives and workin ways that wereunimaginable only sixmonths ago, as we've been facedwith illness and death withinour families and communities, ahealth care system that has beenstrained beyond capacity, the lossof jobs and increasing economicinsecurity, anxiety and depressionbrought on by the fear ofcontracting the virus and theisolation imposed by our governmentsin trying to combat itsspread, and so much more. Forrecent law school graduates, addto this demoralizing list the needto take and pass a bar exam in themiddle of a public health crisis. Atthe same time, as dean of SeattleUniversity School of Law, I followedthe lead of some of myfellow deans across the countryby reaching out to the body thatadministers the UBE in my state--theChief Regulatory Counsel forthe Washington State Bar Association(WSBA) -- to request ajoint meeting with the bar andthe deans of the other two lawschools. [Extracted from the article]

For example, an AI-powered platform could enable clients and lawyers to jointly review legal documents, provide feedback, and make decisions in real time." You've probably heard by now that ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, was able to pass the Uniform Bar Examination. Op. 483 regarding attorney duties to avoid data breaches and to notify current and former clients when data breaches are discovered.) Having to inform clients that data breaches occurred by trying to use AI would potentially be not just costly but also rather embarrassing. [Extracted from the article]

In general, the legal profession needs to adapt and become more mindful of the importance of self-care, particularly for new and young lawyers. This is why it is time to take a step back and reexamine what the beginning of law practice looks like for new and young lawyers -- specifically when it comes to the notion of self-care. [Extracted from the article]

Without mentors, I would not have been able to navigate through the LSAT, law school, and bar exam to a successful law practice. Many law schools, law firms, and bar organizations have realized the importance of mentorship and have set up formal mentorship programs. I attended John Marshall Law School's evening program, and I clerked at a small law firm during the day. [Extracted from the article]

I was a fresh, young lawyer when I first joined this Division as a young lawyer fellow. In this unprecedented time with the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental crisis, clashing political views, and everything else we all seem to be juggling simultaneously, the legal profession and the duty that comes with being a lawyer are more important than ever. Regardless of the outcome, I finished the bar exam to the best of my ability, and the changes that comes with the bar exam results are inevitable. [Extracted from the article]

Fastforward years later; I was takinga deposition and preparing fortrial, working closely with otherco-defense counsel. I haveworked at a midsize law firm, alarge multinational law firm, andin-house for a corporation. After that caseresolved, I kept in contact withco-defense counsel, and when hermultinational law firm was hiring, Iwas able to get a personal introductionto the hiring partner insteadof being just another résumé onthe pile. [Extracted from the article]

In this article the author discusses the lessons learned by her while moving her legal practice from state to state in the U.S. She states that having the bar exam can be quite an advantage in finding a job or starting the practice. She suggests that before one moves to a new state, one should do everything to maximize one's opportunity there. She also states that one should attend network with the local bar, visit attorneys in the area, and also look for local listserves on arrival.