Lawyers
Litigation partner Jeh Johnson recently spoke with the New York Law Journal about what he wished he knew when he was a young lawyer. In “What I Wish I Knew Then: Jeh Johnson,” Secretary Johnson describes what he looks for when interviewing prospective associates; the difference between great lawyers and really great lawyers; and what young lawyers should watch and read, among other topics.
“What I tell associates now is: It is most important for you to work hard and be thorough,” Secretary Johnson says. “Make sure the I’s are dotted with the correct type of dot and the T’s are crossed with the correct type of cross. And pay attention to the details. Because we look to our younger lawyers to pay attention to the details while we focus on what’s going on at 30,000 feet just below the clouds.”
“The other thing I will say, particularly if my audience is a group of young lawyers: Be prepared to consider and accept exciting opportunities that you didn’t anticipate, that might be a little bit out of your comfort zone,” he adds.