Koons Fuller Managing Shareholder and CEO Ike Vanden Eykel shares about the importance of developing a life/career plan, staying up with technology, and how to maximize your time. There are TWO bonus features of this episode, both at the end, so don't miss them!

Ike's firm and practice:

devoted solely to family law; 2nd largest in the country; offices in Dallas/Southlake/Plano/Southlake/Houston
Been with the firm since 1990; CEO since 1992
(Daniel - lots of accolades/recognition)
Family law practice area
Technology is on the forefront of their practice, and it's important to stay ahead of the game
the challenges change because we don't even know what might be coming even three or five years later
Artificial intelligence is the coming tsunami
unsure how big it will be
become knowledgeable about what it does and how it currently could impact your work
Anticipate its arrival and be proactive; don't be surprised
Lots of legislative changes
Texas is unique because of trying both property and custody to juries (which are always changing)
The pitch to young lawyers for going into family law
It is a subspecialty of civil litigation; so you have to want to be a litigator/courtroom lawyer
Extremely enhanced client contact
Diversity of property issues
Advice to young lawyers
ready to work hard AND work smart
Everyone has the same 24/7 in a week, and you have to figure out how to get your job done in that time
Not enough, so you need people and systems
Delegate to a quality team around you
Figure out where you want your career to go and develop a plan
Who are your mentors?
Ike found a lawyer in another firm who was smart and had great courtroom skills
Puts you through the project of making and executing the career plan
Also makes sense to have different/multiple mentors for different areas and seasons in your life
Your career doesn't come in an Amazon package
Develop a presence in the office that is uniquely yours
Be dependable; when a partner/senior associate delegates work to you, get the job done!
Detail oriented is key; too much at stake for letting things fall through the cracks
Be ready to take constructive criticism
When hiring lawyers
The document/resume/cover letter review is not as important as the interview stage
People who have financial skills, experience, or knowledge (business majors, ability to understand accounting, finance, etc.) are valuable to his firm
a great way to distinguish yourself and highlighting strengths
At interview, looking for presence and people skills
The answer to "how are you doing" is not "fine"
Look professional and put together
No canned questions you pulled off the internet
Have several that are original and that you can pull from based on how the interview has gone
Thoughts on work/life balance
Definitely different than 20 years ago
Employers have to evolve if they will be successful
Either stay aggressive and grow, or you become stagnant and die
But you cannot be everything to everyone all the time
Just be sure to filter all these attitudes and actions through your plan
Pick your target and go for it
If someone picks a different target than you you'll likely wind up in different places
Get your career/life plan in place!
Rapid fire
one trait in associate - dependability
key habit - hard work
favorite app/productivity tool - embracing all technology related to calendaring/email/text and live by it
favorite legal movie - The Verdict
Postscript / Ike unplugged on work/life balance and what it really takes to be successful