NATA YOUNG LAWYERS

by Sam D. Colwell

GETTING INVOLVED FROM A YOUNG LAWYER’S PERSPECTIVE

As young attorneys, it is easy to take a myopic approach to our early career development. We are focused—as we should be—on becoming the best attorney possible and doing all the things necessary to reach that goal. We draft pleadings, discovery requests, and briefs. We conduct legal research and read Nebraska Supreme Court advance sheets. We attend and participate in depositions, hearings, and oral arguments. While those skills are certainly critical to developing legal acumen, I’m learning that prowess in a courtroom or conference room does not capture the entire picture of what it means to be a good attorney. To be the best trial attorney you can be, you must get involved outside the typical parameters that we associate with the practice of law.

Get Involved In Your Community

We are privileged as young attorneys to possess a unique skill set that can make a lasting impact on our communities. We have the opportunity to help strengthen local organizations, assist and advocate for vulnerable populations, and foster civic engagement. As young attorneys, we can:

• Promote Access to Justice. If you haven’t yet, try taking on a pro bono case or two. If you have taken pro bono matters, take some more. Pro bono representation can be very rewarding and remind you of why you went to law school in the truest sense—to help people who need help. For instance, for some low-income Nebraskans, a $10,000 property damage claim asserted against them significantly impacts their bottom line. They may be unable to otherwise afford legal representation, but taking on that case pro bono may help keep food on their table.

• Strengthen Community Organizations. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities for attorneys in our communities. Passionate about an issue or cause? Try to find a non-profit organization that supports that issue and see if you can join their board. You can make a difference.

• Attend Networking Events. On its face, plaintiff personal injury law does not lend itself to the traditional appeals of legal networking or relationship-building, such as building a client base. However, being involved in the legal community outside of your firm can reap rewards for your practice and clients. You will develop relationships with other plaintiff and defense counsel. You will develop referral networks for attorneys who may not practice personal injury law, or for your clients who have legal needs that you cannot address.

Get Involved With Nata

There is an incredible network of trial attorneys across the state who are ready, willing, and able to provide tips and tricks for young attorneys. Being active in NATA promotes several important components of being a good trial attorney.

• Skill Development. NATA puts on some of the very best one-day seminars in the region. I have never left a NATA seminar without new insights that I can implement into my practice, whether it be trial skills or interesting pre-trial strategies. Plus, it is a golden opportunity to mingle with other trial attorneys.

• Community. It is so important to develop a sense of community and camaraderie with other trial attorneys. Somewhere, there is a NATA member who has experienced the joy or disappointment that you may feel after a certain hearing or ruling. The practice of law can be isolating, so developing relationships with other practitioners to share success with (or commiserate with) is helpful for your practice and mental health. The NATA Listserv is active, and there is always another attorney willing to help.

• Legislative Involvement. One of my favorite aspects of my involvement with NATA is participation in the legislative process. This has been a very active legislative session dealing with tort reform efforts in our Legislature and NATA is heavily involved in trying to keep the tort system fair for the injured people we represent. On February 5, 2025, our firm had multiple clients testify in opposition to tort reform efforts—not because it would have impacted their claim, but because it would have negatively impacted Nebraskans who found themselves in similar situations. Helping to guide our clients through that process and hearing them tell their stories to lawmakers was one of the more fulfilling moments in my career so far.

Get Involved In Your Life

Investing in your life outside of the office is not a luxury; it is a necessity for a successful legal career. In law school, I tried to implement a strict 36-hour relaxation period, typically lasting from 6:00 p.m. on Friday until Sunday morning. I tried to take a break from any thoughts about law school and did not touch anything related to law school. Of course, there were exceptions, but I found that this 36-hour period allowed me to reset and focus during the other 132 hours of the week. I’ve attempted to carry this through into practice, and to the extent possible, tried to avoid working into the evening hours. Again—some exceptions, but I’ve found this general approach has many benefits.

• Prevent Burnout. Sustained stress and overwork impact mental and physical health. When our health and wellbeing is negatively impacted by our own stress, our professional performance suffers. Taking up hobbies and pursuing interests outside of the legal field help to ensure a long and sustainable career by allowing us to actually enjoy the work we do.

• Improve Client Relationships. Our clients want us to be humans. A balanced and well-rested attorney is more present, empathetic, and has more energy to focus on our clients’ cases. Clients are observant. We play an important role in guiding them through some of the most difficult days of their lives. In my experience, clients want to be around someone who they can connect with—they do not want to feel like they are just another file for an overworked attorney.

• Lead a Happier Life. It is important to be passionate about our work. However, at the end of the day, remember what you work hard for.