By Seth E. Darmstadter
Meckler Bulger Tilson Marick & Pearson
The Bang
Halloween has come and gone and while I hate to play the role of the Grim Reaper, it would be foolish to ignore the realities of the time in which we all are living and working.
The economy has not made the comeback that many predicted; the legal job market seems tighter than ever. All of us who made it through the last round of mass layoffs in law firms, large and small, have gone through an emotional roller coaster over the past two years starting with relief, then a period of security and now we seem to be at the very top of the ride and we all await the next drop that could leave us with our hands in the air screaming, as we hone our bartending skills.
I am not suggesting that we ought to be revising our collective resume — as least not all of us. I merely propose that in these cold winter months when our instincts are to downshift and coast through the holiday season, we might want to instead try lighting the world on fire with the same gusto and determination that got us here in the first place and has kept us here until now.
We have chosen a career where, for better or for worse, our productivity can be measured quantitatively to a degree of scientific certainty. Make no mistake about it; the person who signs your check and my check is more likely to be studying associate utilization rates than reading this column.
Do not fall into the trap of the 86-hour December and please do not think for a second that the fact that you already have met your annual billing requirement is a free pass to disappear into obscurity until after the first of the year.
Year-end in a crummy economy almost always means the same thing. I will not insult you by spelling it out. If you know, and you do, that the bosses are going to trim the fat, then you also know that this is the most important time to remind them of the tremendous value you bring to the table.
I am not advocating for you (or me for that matter) to live at the office, but I believe that a hard-working, face time-filled December could save your career this year. By all means, I will be home to light the menorah with my little girl for all eight nights of Hanukkah and you should not skip that lunch tradition with your family at the Walnut Room followed by pictures of the kids on Santa's lap. This is a time for balance, just be sure your scale tips at least a little bit in favor of professional productivity.
The Explosion
Assuming that your hard work in December was rewarded with continued employment in January, this is the time to blow them away and distinguish yourself from the pack. That first two weeks of the year when others are trying to get back into the swing of things, you are ready to explode out of the gate with the momentum you built in December. You have given yourself a huge head start. Nothing says "Happy New Year" to your boss like a 200-hour January.
Standing out after locking in a big January is not just about impressing a partner or two — it's also an exceptionally rewarding act of selfishness. Nobody is going to fault you for spending a couple of June Fridays in Wrigleyville when there is no red ink next to your name on the utilization chart. When your supervising partner is looking for a sub to fill her foursome on a random Wednesday in July, you can bet you'll be on her call list, only if you are on the radar for the right reasons.
Also, this tip is not just about job security, it also is about enhancing your work environment. By setting the standard for hard work you are earning political capital in your workplace and developing a reputation as a reliable, hard-working adult; you will be treated as such. That means if you need to take a couple of days off because your kid is home sick from school, you won't need to worry about someone doubting your commitment to your work.
Exploding out of the gate not only gives you an advantage in your workplace, it also sets you apart in the industry. Want to test my theory? Schedule a deposition for Jan. 4 and odds are that the witness and his lawyer will both arrive with a lack of preparation. Give yourself an edge and use it to your full advantage. This isn't cheating it is good lawyering. In fact, it is the kind of good lawyering that leads to happy clients, happier partners and job security.
Finally, I would be remiss if I neglected to mention that we are embarking on holiday party season. If you are invited to an event this December, be it your firm's holiday extravaganza, a bar association luncheon, another firm's event or even get-togethers with friends and family — Go. Networking has never been more important and the opportunity to mingle with other professionals in a casual party-like atmosphere is priceless. Just try to keep in mind that while drinking Ketel One on the rocks may loosen your inhibitions and make you the life of the party — drinking club soda with a lime keeps you looking social and talking intelligently. I'm no party pooper, but there is a time and a place for everything; keep your eye on the prize — continued employment, career growth and maybe even another rung up on your climb of that ubiquitous ladder.