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May 19, 2008
Perfection's curse: Why Justin isn't helping us move the ball.
Devil perfection is the bane of first children, overachievers and, yes, lawyers. Especially new ones from top schools and/or with top grades. Rule 10: "Be Accurate, Thorough and Timely--But Not Perfect".
Posted by Holden Oliver (Kitzbühel Desk) at May 19, 2008 11:56 PM
Comments
I am always telling young lawyers that they have to strive for perfection. Though impossible to achieve, one must still strive for it otherwise one is implicitly accepting less than the best. Do you disagree?
Posted by: Dan Harris at May 19, 2008 05:38 PM
In a way, yes. Dan, you are right to say that to them but here's another way to look at it. You should not have to say it. Ever. Practicing law is hard enough. If associates don't have the perfectionist instinct from the womb, I don't want them at my shop in the first place and they will eventually leave anyway because they will feel browbeaten (yes, we'll make them feel that way). But most people attracted to law school seem to have that "let's be perfect" instinct. You want that. And so you start there--and go for functional and client-centric . Make sense?
Posted by: Dan Hull and Holden Oliver at May 19, 2008 05:50 PM
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