San Antonio Litigator Lauren Valkenaar's guest appearances

San Antonio Litigator Lauren Valkenaar

Lone Star Lawyers

Jason Scott

Erin Brockovich

Andy Jones

Brandon Waddell

Stephanie Curtis

Caroline Harrison

Amanda Taylor

Brandon Lewis

Jennifer King

Will Thomas

Anna Greenberg

Alex Bell

Josh White

Brian Lopez

Matthew Myers

OwlTail

Lauren Valkenaar, a partner and commercial litigator with Chasnoff Stribling in San Antonio, joins us on today's show. Lauren talks about having an internal standard, being honest and authentic in your job search, and developing business best practices.Her firm/practiceBoutique litigation firmBusiness/commercial litigationBroke off of a large firm and wanted to maintain the same level of quality but get a little more autonomyFlexible/nimbleCases deal with Breach of Contract, Tortious Interference, Fraud, etc.COVID has changed the way they practiceNot physically in the courtroom, but they have adapted wellZoom hearings will likely stayTheir clients get sued all over the country, so Zoom is a positiveZoom depos are a different thing and in-person is more important thereCOVID also impacting their clientsHow to deal with their employees / working remote or in-officeEveryone is an employment lawyer now (Daniel)Don't get complacent with your technology (Daniel) / Don't be a cat!San AntonioVery collegial barAll the amenities of large city but a smaller town feelGreat mentors because lawyers are close and kindAs a young professional, many more opportunities to get involved in the community and make an impact at a high levelAdvice to lawyers in practiceCreate an internal standard / desire to get it right / goes beyond checking the box / when you know that you are likely the only one to know whether or not you "ran an issue to ground."So much of being a lawyer is internal motivationSurround yourself with great people who keep these high standardsYou are the average of the five people closest to you (Daniel / Jim Rohn)Think about the business aspect of the law firmLearn from people who are different from youBe a team player; that shows up immediately and makes a big impactAre you offering to help on other cases when you are done for the day but others are still working?Focus on the work product / the words / the documentsHave an intellectual curiosity; think/learn beyond the discrete task you are working on; try to get a handle on the larger picture and how your piece fits inDon't be a jerkDon't have sloppy work productCommunicate, especially if you are doing work for multiple partner with different deadlines. Don't just be silent.On business development:Plant seeds and build relationships with zero expectations they will turn into businessYour law school classmates can become your clients or referral sources; stay in touch with them!Do great workGet involved in the communityDon't do something for the sole purpose of developing business: rarely does that workOver time, business will come in more from referrals based upon the work you have done for someone; but that takes time to build upAdvice to Lawyers On The Lateral MarketNo typos in the resume!Connection to the type of work should show through in the resumeContinuity and not a lot of jumping around firm to firmThe more specific you can be on the resume the better in order to show what they've done and accomplished in their prior/current roles. Helps you to stand out, but also for the interviewer to know how to slot you in if they do hire you. How much training will you need, etc.?Come to the interview prepared with questionsAvoid arrogance/entitlement; that's a turnoffHonesty and authenticity shines throughFinal ThoughtsBe honest and self-aware in what you are looking for in a firm; those are critical to making a good match in the hiring process.Rapid Fire QuestionsName one trait/characteristic you most want to see in an associate: Grit (book by Angela Duckworth; Ted Talk)What habit has been key to your success: Never assuming; always go back and double checkFavorite app/productivity tool: RemarkableWhat would be listed first on the interest line of your resume: Travel (Italy; Cambodia)Favorite legal movie: A Time To KillThanks again to Lauren Valkenaar for joining us on today's show!

Lauren Valkenaar, a partner and commercial litigator with Chasnoff Stribling in San Antonio, joins us on today's show. Lauren talks about having an internal standard, being honest and authentic in your job search, and developing business best practices. Her firm/practice Boutique litigation firm Business/commercial litigation Broke off of a large firm and wanted to maintain the same level of quality but get a little more autonomy Flexible/nimble Cases deal with Breach of Contract, Tortious Interference, Fraud, etc. COVID has changed the way they practice Not physically in the courtroom, but they have adapted well Zoom hearings will likely stay Their clients get sued all over the country, so Zoom is a positive Zoom depos are a different thing and in-person is more important there COVID also impacting their clients How to deal with their employees / working remote or in-office Everyone is an employment lawyer now (Daniel) Don't get complacent with your technology (Daniel) / Don't be a cat! San Antonio Very collegial bar All the amenities of large city but a smaller town feel Great mentors because lawyers are close and kind As a young professional, many more opportunities to get involved in the community and make an impact at a high level Advice to lawyers in practice Create an internal standard / desire to get it right / goes beyond checking the box / when you know that you are likely the only one to know whether or not you "ran an issue to ground." So much of being a lawyer is internal motivation Surround yourself with great people who keep these high standards You are the average of the five people closest to you (Daniel / Jim Rohn) Think about the business aspect of the law firm Learn from people who are different from you Be a team player; that shows up immediately and makes a big impact Are you offering to help on other cases when you are done for the day but others are still working? Focus on the work product / the words / the documents Have an intellectual curiosity; think/learn beyond the discrete task you are working on; try to get a handle on the larger picture and how your piece fits in Don't be a jerk Don't have sloppy work product Communicate, especially if you are doing work for multiple partner with different deadlines. Don't just be silent. On business development: Plant seeds and build relationships with zero expectations they will turn into business Your law school classmates can become your clients or referral sources; stay in touch with them! Do great work Get involved in the community Don't do something for the sole purpose of developing business: rarely does that work Over time, business will come in more from referrals based upon the work you have done for someone; but that takes time to build up Advice to Lawyers On The Lateral Market No typos in the resume! Connection to the type of work should show through in the resume Continuity and not a lot of jumping around firm to firm The more specific you can be on the resume the better in order to show what they've done and accomplished in their prior/current roles. Helps you to stand out, but also for the interviewer to know how to slot you in if they do hire you. How much training will you need, etc.? Come to the interview prepared with questions Avoid arrogance/entitlement; that's a turnoff Honesty and authenticity shines through Final Thoughts Be honest and self-aware in what you are looking for in a firm; those are critical to making a good match in the hiring process. Rapid Fire Questions Name one trait/characteristic you most want to see in an associate: Grit (book by Angela Duckworth; Ted Talk) What habit has been key to your success: Never assuming; always go back and double check Favorite app/productivity tool: Remarkable What would be listed first on the interest line of your resume: Travel (Italy; Cambodia) Favorite legal movie: A Time To Kill Thanks again to Lauren Valkenaar for joining us on today's show!

Monday Mentors with San Antonio Litigator Lauren Valkenaar