PROFESSIONALISM JEOPARDY

1. PROFESSIONALISM JEOPARDY How to Reap the Benefits of Your Summer Job for the Rest of Your Career Eric Fleetham & Wendy Tenzer Ave Maria School of Law

2. Sticky Wickets The Extended Job Interview Interpersonal Pitfalls Specific Performance $100 $100 $100 $100 $200 $200 $200 $200 $300 $300 $300 $300

3. Sticky Wickets: $100 You are researching your first memo project. You realize that the assigning attorney did not give you some pertinent information (e.g., the jurisdiction). What do you do? Go back and ask the attorney for the information Ask another associate Check the file Try to figure it out myself

4. Sticky Wickets: $100 ANSWER C. Check the file Why?

5. Sticky Wickets: $200 My administrative assistant hasn’t been to law school, but she acts like she knows everything. How do I handle this situation? Explain that you have been to law school so she should do what she was hired to do. Tell her that you appreciate the input, but your way is the right way. Take advantage of the fact that she may have a lot of knowledge based on her experience in being with the firm a lot longer than you, so there may be a valid reason why it is done that way.

6. Sticky Wickets: $200 ANSWER C. Take advantage of the fact that she may have a lot of knowledge based on her experience in being with the firm a lot longer than you, so there may be a valid reason why it is done that way.

7. Sticky Wickets: $300 You have two supervisors and they both ask you to complete an assignment by the same deadline. What do you do? Tell both supervisors so you can let them know which assignment you will be doing first based on your judgment. Do the assignment of the supervisor who came to you first. Tell both supervisors so they can resolve it and let you know which assignment is a higher priority.

8. Sticky Wickets: $300 ANSWER Tell both supervisors so they can resolve it and let you know which assignment is a higher priority. Why?

9. Extended Job Interview: $100 Name three reasons why it is important to do your best, even if you have no prospect of future employment with your summer job.

10. Extended Job Interview: $100 ANSWER REFERENCES REFERENCES REFERENCES

11. Extended Job Interview: $200 Do I have to attend firm summer parties?

12. Extended Job Interview: $200 ANSWER Even if a firm social occasion is not required, it is a good idea to attend. Why?

13. Extended Job Interview: $300 True or False: It is acceptable to dress casually if everyone else does, especially on “casual Fridays.” Give an explanation.

14. Extended Job Interview: $300 ANSWER False. Why?

15. Interpersonal Pitfalls: $100 Is it acceptable to go out for drinks with co-workers and support staff?

16. Interpersonal Pitfalls: $100 ANSWER It is usually fine to socialize with co-workers, but don’t compromise your professionalism, reveal confidential firm business or too much personal information.

17. Interpersonal Pitfalls: $200 Why do I need to be nice to the people in the copy center?

18. Interpersonal Pitfalls: $200 ANSWER • Summer associates should treat all firm employees, from the most senior partner to the office-services clerk, with respect and friendliness. • Summer associates can learn something from just about everyone in the firm. • Support staff such as mailroom personnel, copy center employees and administrative assistants can make your daily life a lot easier, not to mention the library staff.

19. Interpersonal Pitfalls: $300 You walk into the coffee room and two staff members are making disparaging remarks about a fellow co-worker. You happen to agree with what they are saying because this co-worker is lazy and seems to undermine everyone else. What is the best action for you to take?

20. Interpersonal Pitfalls: $300 ANSWER Although it might be tempting, it is never a good idea to join into a negative conversation about a co-worker. Why?

21. Specific Performance: $100 • When you are asked to come to an attorney’s office, for an assignment, you should always bring _________.

22. Specific Performance: $100 ANSWER A pad and a pen to take notes. Why?

23. Specific Performance: $200 When someone hands you an assignment, state at least 5 important questions you should ask before the person leaves your office.

24. Specific Performance: $200 ANSWER What is the time frame for completion? Form of the work product? Oral report or memo? Who is the audience for the work product? Assigning attorney? Internal team? Client? Court? Jurisdiction? Controlling law? Suggested starting point or pertinent resources to review? Are there filings in this matter? What is the preferred method to handle subsequent questions? Depending on the project’s scope, are status reports desirable?

25. Specific Performance: $300 On Wednesday, Supervisor Jenny gives you a research assignment and says, “Give me what you got by Friday.” What will you give her on Friday?

26. Specific Performance: $300 ANSWER You should give your supervisor as much of a final product as possible in an easy-to-read, organized and professional format.

27. For copies of this game, please feel free to email us: Eric Fleetham: ecfleetham@avemarialaw.edu Wendy Tenzer: wtenzer@avemarialaw.edu 1025 Commons Circle ● Naples, FL 34119 ● 239-687-5300

28. Bloomberg Law Reports, April 12, 2010, Career Development/ Summer Employment: • Assignments, Social Events, Support Staff and More: Advice for Summer Associates, Comments contributed by Andrea Glover, Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal; Liz Davis and Tim Horton, Ungaretti & Harris; and Andrianna H. Dunbar, WilmerHale • Capitalize on Your Summer Position, by Margaret Reuter, New York Law School • Bloomberg Law Reports, April 4, 2011, Career Development/ Summer Employment: • Twenty Tips for Thriving as a Summer Intern, contributed by Courtney Fitzgibbons and Meg Reuter, New York Law School www.bloomberglaw.com Resources