Darren Cottriel Gives Professional Advice on Achieving Success as an Associate Lawyer

Summary

When it comes to succeeding as an associate, Darren Cottriel has some valuable tips. As a partner at the firm of Chamber, Mabry, McCowen & Huxtable, LLP, Cottriel has more than 20 years of experience in private practice, and his advice can help new associates stay on the right track.


Cottriel stresses the importance of maintaining a good attitude and understanding that teamwork is essential. Associates should be willing to help out on any project, no matter how tedious, and they should be prepared to work hard, even when they don't feel like it. Additionally, they should show respect to senior attorneys and develop relationships with other associates.

Communication skills are key for success, says Cottriel. Associates should always communicate clearly and respectfully, and they shouldn't be afraid to voice their opinions, even if those opinions are different from what the senior lawyers think. In addition, it's important for associates to be aware of when to remain silent and when to speak up.

Cottriel also emphasizes the importance of having a good work ethic and taking initiative. Associates should be willing to go the extra mile and ask for additional tasks and projects if they have the time. Understanding both the law and the client's industry is vitally important, and associates should take the time to read up on legal updates, industry trends, and more.

The ability to set priorities and manage time is also an important skill for associates to learn. Cottriel recommends that they create a plan for tackling their tasks and stick to it. Additionally, they should find ways to stay organized, such as by using a digital calendar and filing system.

Finally, Cottriel stresses the importance of enjoying the work. Associates should take pleasure in a job well done and in having a positive impact on the people around them. Having a good attitude, having an understanding of the clients, and making the most of the opportunities presented are essential for associates looking to succeed.

In conclusion, succeeding as an associate requires hard work, good communication, initiative, and organization. Darren Cottriel's advice can help new associates stay on track, learn the ropes, and make the most of the opportunities presented. Building good relationships with colleagues, understanding clients, and having a positive attitude can make all the difference in achieving success.
 

Tips for Succeeding as an Associate

When Darren Cottriel began his first job as an associate at a law firm in New York City, he wasn't exactly sure what to expect. However, he quickly realized that the legal world can be highly competitive. In order to make it in this environment, Darren began implementing a variety of strategies that allowed him to rise to the top.
 

Organization is Key to Success

According to Darren Cottriel, the key to success as an associate is to be as organized as possible. This means dedicating time to organizing casework and taking detailed notes on all assignments. Having a good filing system in place will help ensure that all of the necessary documents are submitted on time. Additionally, Darren recommends that associates take the initiative to keep track of all deadlines and follow up on any projects that are overdue. Taking the time to stay organized can go a long way in increasing an associate's overall productivity.
 

Importance of Time Management

In addition to staying organized, Darren Cottriel also stresses the importance of managing one's time wisely. As an associate, it is important to prioritize one's tasks and focus on the most important tasks first. Additionally, Darren recommends that associates create an action plan for accomplishing tasks and stick to it. He also suggests scheduling at least one hour of uninterrupted time each day to focus solely on tasks that need to be completed.
 

Building Professional Relationships

Darren Cottriel also recommends that associates take the time to build relationships with their colleagues. He suggests that associates use networking events, such as bar association meetings, to meet and connect with other attorneys. Additionally, Darren suggests that associates be proactive in seeking out mentorship opportunities with senior attorneys. Building relationships with other attorneys in the firm can help an associate gain valuable advice and insight into the law profession.
 

Learning from Mistakes

Finally, Darren Cottriel believes that making mistakes is a part of the learning process. He recommends that associates take the time to reflect on any mistakes that they have made and consider how they can be avoided in the future. Additionally, Darren suggests that associates should not be afraid to ask questions to ensure that they fully understand the task at hand. Taking the time to learn from mistakes can help associates become more successful in the long run.

<<How did he do it? Well, he got excellent grades in law school and spent his summers working at a firm and writing for the law review. And when he arrived at Pillsbury Winthrop in 1998, he made sure to cultivate a partner as a personal mentor.

A 1996 graduate of the McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific, Mr. Cottriel was ranked third in his class. He specializes in litigation and represents a wide range of clients—from large land developers to financial institutions.

Q: How should law students and graduates prepare for jobs as associates at top firms?

A: The number-one thing for me was to do well in law school. Grades get you an awfully long way. The law school I graduated from was not a first-tier law school. It was important to be placed fairly high in the class to get an interview with a bigger firm. At my school, what mattered was class ranking. For example, a lot of bigger firms want to interview law students who are in the top 25% of their class. Where that cuts off at each law school will depend on what sort of grading curve the law school uses.

Q: Grades and class ranking are obviously very important. What about internships?

A: Do something. It's important when you're in law school to be productive. One year I did a writing research position on our law school law review. The second summer I worked at a law firm. When we interview people at our firm, we're always looking for what experience they have. If they're right out of law school, the only thing you have to go on is what they did before they went to law school or what they've done during law school. Obviously if you want to go into private practice at a firm, the best thing you could do is work at a firm. A lot of times that will parlay into a job offer. It's important to do something law-related to develop your resume and to develop your skills.

Q: What advice do you have for aspiring associates?

A: I had a really good mentor, and that would be the first thing I would tell people. When you get in a firm, whether it's through a formal structure or just on your own, try to latch on to someone who can act as a mentor for you, whether that person be a senior associate or partner: someone who's familiar with the firm and can help guide you through the process as you develop your career there. Some firms have a formal mentor program. My experience has been I just tended to, on my own, find someone who I looked up to and respected. You've got to be proactive about it because senior associates or partners are busy. You've got to be proactive in getting advice from them and picking their brain. That's invaluable to do that.

Q: Any stumbling blocks junior associates should be aware of?

A: One stumbling block is that a lot of associates assume, rightfully or wrongfully, that the firm is going to make sure they get all the training they need. One key to success is to be very proactive with your career and with developing your skills and waiting for opportunities to present themselves to you. A lot of associates aren't as proactive as they should be because they're waiting for it to come to them. Those opportunities may not come to you or there may be those opportunities out there but no one knows you want them. It's important to have a game plan as far as what skills you want to develop.

Q: What's an example of how you did that?

A: Basically just making your requests known, letting the senior associates or partners know you'd like to work on a case that would give you an opportunity to do some depositions, for example. Or you'd like a case that would give you an opportunity to argue a key motion. Let them know so as they're going through their caseload, they've got it in the back of their mind that you're looking for an opportunity. The No. 1 thing is making your requests known. Second, when you get the opportunity, make sure you do a good job.