Caroline Harrison, founding partner of the labor and employment boutique Pham Harrison in Fort Worth, joins us on today's show. Caroline shares her work/life balance tips, advice for business development, and how to prepare for an interview.

Her firm/practice

Focus on employment law but will handle some other types of litigation as well
They have three partners and one associate attorney plus several staff
Practice didn't see a dip during COVID because employment questions were raised
Before COVID she had not given her cell number out to many people and tried to maintain some work-life balance, but since COVID many of her clients have her cell phone number and contact her often

Advice to lawyers in practice

Do what you say you're going to do
Return clients' calls/emails promptly
You don't have to be perfect; you will make mistakes, and the important thing is finding and fixing them
Read the lawyers you are working for and know your audience; some will give you more leeway and others will want you to ask their permission before doing anything
Don't make strategy decisions without checking
Be on top of deadlines (for the entire case not just your particular assignment)
Communicate, communicate, communicate
Regarding assignments from partners:
Know your deadline;
Know the format for submission (memo, brief, discussion, presentation, etc.)
Know what you have been asked to do (i.e. confirm that you understand the assignment)
(Check out Haley Turner talking about this in this episode)
Re: work/life balance
Establish boundaries
Understand the expectations of your firm. If something isn't required but a few people do it, be mindful that if you start doing it the expectation will be there for you moving forward
Try to get your work done during the week so you can take the weekends to refresh
Exercise in the morning so you can take advantage of the endorphins, as well as not let something come up that prevents you from doing it later in the day

Advice to lawyers for business development

Get involved with local young lawyers group
you will make close friends
will become a great referral source
get on a committee or something beyond just going to the happy hours
Get involved in some type of charitable / community organization that you have a passion for
She is in a book club that a former classmate had put together (but most of the group is not a lawyer)
Don't turn down speaking engagements
Be patient; it won't all happen fast and at once

Advice to lawyers in a job search

Most of their hiring has been people who have externed with them while in law school
This is important for her to see how possible hires interact with everyone in the firm, clients, etc. to determine if they are a fit
Grades aren't as important as fit
No spelling errors on resume
Is there something in your background (and in the documents) that make it clear why you want to work in THIS firm.
Put interests on a resume if they are interesting/unique and can be a conversation starter
In the interview, show confidence without arrogance and find a way to be at ease
Come with substantive questions that shows the interviewer you are interested in them, the firm, and the position
This also helps in networking! Ask questions!

Final Thought: Arrive 10-15 minutes before your supervising attorney arrives and leave 10-15 minutes after. They will think you are the hardest working attorney in the firm.

Rapid Fire Questions:

Name one trait/characteristic you most want to see in an associate: confidence
What habit has been key to your success: follow-through
Your favorite app/productivity tool: pad of paper/pen for to-do lists
Your favorite social distancing activity: sitting on a restaurant patio with friends
Your favorite legal movie: My Cousin Vinny

Thanks again to Caroline Harrison for coming on the show!