Jennie Knapp of Underwood Law Firm in Amarillo, talks about seeing the big picture, authenticity in interviews, and practical tools to be a better lawyer.

COVID-19 Update

Working at home since mid-March
Handful of people working in the office but not many
Challenge in the beginning to set up the technology
Realized how much they could do online/remote
lots of things that used to be kept in paper files no longer do, which is a good thing
Lots of employment law work and PPP
She is expecting a lot of new matters pop up over the next year
Has been easy to do hearings/depos remotely, but mostly easy ones without many exhibits.

Her Firm and Practice

Always wanted to do something different every day and that's what she gets to do
Amarillo is a diverse economy so lots of different clients (healthcare, insurance, trucking, meatpacking) and
recessions don't hit as hard
small legal community so you get to know the other lawyers well
Changes to the Anti-SLAPP statute are significant, as the Billing Records Affidavit 18.001 of Civil Practices & Remedies Code

Advice to Lawyers In Practice

Get a copy of the scheduling order so you know what your deadlines are!
Be aware of the bigger picture; not just the discrete project that you're working on, but how it is going to move the ball forward in the litigation
are there other arguments you think of that you could make, but it wasn't asked of you to do? Make them or suggest it!
If all you're doing is the assigned project and nothing more, that doesn't stand out
Be socially aware with your partners and supervisors, and figure out when and how much to talk with them
Don't bug morning people with stuff in the morning. Or if someone is a morning person, use that time.
Don't push up against deadlines; get things to partners early so your work can be reviewed and submitted timely
Treat staff well and learn from them.
Re: business development, become a good lawyer first and learn how to relate to your partner's clients
then get involved in one bar group and one other extra-curricular board/group that you have interest in
After you've practice for a little while, you will get a better idea of what you want to do and then you can start telling people that (e.g. she started telling people she practiced appellate law and that's the work she started getting)

Advice to Lawyers Job Hunting

Why do you want to be in the city?
If firms have multiple offices let the firm know which you are interested in.
What practice area are you pursuing (don't just list what is on the firm's website)?
Be honest/specific
They don't want to hire someone who just wants a job; that person is likely to leave in two years
Also be honest in what you put on your resume and be prepared to talk about it
Example of the candidate who put "likes finding good breakfast taco places" on their resume but couldn't name a place they liked
Pat Lencioni - The Ideal Team Player - look for people who are hungry, humble, and (emotionally) smart

Rapid Fire Questions

Trait/characteristic you most want to see in an associate - attention to detail
Key habit - working according to your energy levels (i.e. do the hard work when you have the most energy and are most productive)
Cal Newport's Deep Work is a helpful guide (Daniel)
Favorite app/tool - paper calendar for just her deadlines (online calendar is more detailed); WestLaw plugin for Microsoft Word called Drafting Assistant (creates table of authorities; prints all cases cited in the document; much more)
Favorite social distancing activity - walks
Favorite legal movie - The Pelican Brief