An award-winning South Florida lawyer offers some common-sense advice for beginning lawyers on ABOTA Fort Lauderdale’s new podcast.
Lisa J. Baligian, ABOTA Fort Lauderdale’s “2022 Trial Lawyer of the Year,” offers tips in a new podcast hosted by Jeff Adelman, a former chapter president.
Baligian reminds beginning lawyers to always reach out to their opponents before going to court.
“The first thing that I tell everyone is just pick up the phone and talk to the other side,” she said. “Things can be resolved in a simple two-minute phone call… You don’t have to go in with guns blazing.”
Baligian credits a mentor for helping launch her career. He encouraged her to accompany him to various proceedings.
“It wasn’t so much that he let me watch and learn, he introduced me to other people,” she said.
Finding a mentor is even more important today, Baligian said.
“It’s a different world now,” she said. “We’re not going to court, we’re not shaking hands, or mingling before calendar call.”
Joining ABOTA or other voluntary bar associations is a good way to find a mentor and connect with the local legal community, she said.
“When you know someone, or you’ve had a little bit of an introduction, it’s easier to pick up the phone and say, ‘Hey, can I pick your brain?’”
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, she says.
“There are no stupid questions, I ask questions every day. That’s the way you learn.”
Baligian also urges beginning lawyers to learn the value of down time, and separating work and home life as much as possible.
“It can be such an enjoyable thing, it doesn’t have to be a fight all day, every day, it just doesn’t.”
Originally Published At: https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/lisa-baligian-abota-fort-lauderdales-trial-lawyer-of-the-year-offers-tips-to-young-lawyers/