The Importance of Kindness

As we enter the legal profession or pursue other pathways after graduation, it is crucial to remember the importance of kindness. This thought struck me as I noticed that law school and law firms often emphasize personal success without encouraging kindness towards our classmates, colleagues, and, equally importantly, the non-lawyer support staff from whom we can learn a great deal when starting out. I'll illustrate this with two situations I witnessed: one during the OCIs, and one while working. I hope my reflections encourage someone to pause and consider their actions in similar circumstances.

Kindness during recruit and OCIs

First, let's talk about the OCIs. Anyone who has gone through this process understands that it’s a stressful time. Law school instructors and administrators urge us to secure employment as soon as possible, and combined with a tight labor market in the legal sector, many of us feel immense pressure to land a coveted “big law” position. For many students, it doesn't work out. However, it is important to remember that it's okay not to secure such a position.

However, it is important to remember that it's okay not to secure such a position.

Despite the pressure we put on ourselves, it certainly not the end of the world. While securing that coveted 1L/2L/articling position is great, it's equally important to avoid allowing the outcome of the process to define your own self worth. It's often a matter of luck, and many factors are at play, including grades, connections, so-called “fit to the firm” (e.g. if you play baseball and that firm has a softball team), and more.

For those who do secure a position, it’s essential to be mindful and respectful of those who do not. For instance, a classmate once told me she overheard two colleagues boasting about their 2L positions, completely unaware that she had applied to and was interviewed for both of those positions as well. Understandably, it was difficult for her to hear. So, if you do secure a job during one of the recruits, please be considerate of others, and avoid allowing the outcome of the process to define your own self worth. This will lay the foundation for treating others with kindness and respect, which will benefit you in both your career and social relationships.

Kindness beyond Weldon's walls

The second scenario involves how to act once you start working. It’s an exciting time: you meet new people, learn new tasks, and maybe have your own cubicle or office. However, you may also find yourself in an environment where you're expected to perform to a certain standard, or worse, compete with fellow law students for articles or an associate position.

This stress can make life more difficult and negatively affect how you interact with your colleagues. For instance, it may cause you to treat support staff poorly or be dismissive of your colleagues' ideas. While such behavior is unsurprising under stress, it is vital to recognize and manage this stress rather than taking it out on others. Unfortunately, stress will never fully go away. Learning to handle stress is crucial for long-term sustainability in the legal profession. Being kinder to yourself can help alleviate some stress, and being kinder to others will make you more pleasant to be around.

Learning to handle stress is crucial for long-term sustainability in the legal profession.

In the end, everyone does their best. For your reputation and self-growth, you must avoid treating others poorly. The law school and legal community, in general, is not very large, and a lack of kindness can have lasting and unpredictable consequences down the road. So, to conclude, be kind, and enjoy the process.