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10 Things I Would Go Back & Tell My Law School Self


My 2nd year of law school at Texas Tech
(I had 2 children during law school, this is Kiki my first)

I think about my third son Spencer all the time as he just started his first year at Cornell Law School. This week, I came up with this list for him. These are the things I would go back and tell my young, full of wonder self  27 years ago. Maybe this can help other young law students or aspiring lawyers.

10 Things I would go back & tell my law school self:
  1. Focus on writing. It’s how the top lawyers in their field help other lawyers and share their knowledge en masse with the world. Publishing is essential.
  2. Give back. Look around and remember how your fellow students are struggling and need financial aid. Make it a goal to give back. It’s a worthy endeavor that I wish more lawyers would do.
  3. Show gratitude. Appreciate your professors. They have sacrificed an exciting life in the ring to teach. This is huge.
  4. Be kind. As you look around and feel the surging blood of competitiveness, know that true winners combine competitiveness with kindness. In the real world, clients don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
  5. Don’t be naive. The law is what judges and those in power determine it to be. This will shock you later. It is integrity and persistence that makes things right. You will have to work extra hard to fight bad laws, including getting involved at the lesiglature. 
  6. Perfect preparation. Trials involve more preparation that you can imagine. Great work requires many hours. There is no substitute. Find a life partner that can be patient and respect this.
  7. Learn to listen. Law school teaches you how to argue. In the real world, the best lawyers are expert listeners and master storytellers. You can’t tell a story unless you learn to listen. Lawyers love to talk. You can’t learn the facts when you are talking. Storytelling is captivating. Learn the art.
  8. Develop meaningful relationships. Everyone is important. Some of your fellow classmates will do things you would never predict, including quit the practice.  Lawyers have one of the highest rates of substance abuse and suicide. Always be that someone that anyone can turn to. 
  9. Follow your passion. You don't have to know what kind of lawyer you will become. Trust that If you follow your inner voice, work prodigiously hard and care deeply about the people you are helping, the work will come to you. It is then that you will immerse yourself into the continued training and opportunities that will establish you. 
  10. Intensely investigate. Learn to be the best at research. In the real world, this will save you time and time again. Knowing every case that remotely touches your case will distinguish you. Get used to the massive amounts of reading. In the practice, you just have to do it faster.

Spencer Crawford at Cornell Law School
Love you Spencer, I'm always here.
Can't wait until you join the legal profession.

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