Tyler Topper is a partner with Burdett, Morgan, Williamson, & Boykin in Amarillo. Tyler talks about eminent domain, getting organized, and preparing for the interview.

COVID-19 Update

All staff/employees can work from home
helps with lack of school/daycare
Business clients are dealing with PPP loans, company policies, so employment lawyers are very busy
Judges and legal community have done a good job working together to find solutions
phone hearings
Zoom hearings
Hopes that going forward remote working can become more available

Tyler's firm/practice

Firm is 35 years old and is full-service
Do everything except criminal and family law
He practices in eminent domain and administrative law
represents landowners exclusively
when government or government authorized utility needs land to build out infrastructure, he helps landowners get compensated fairly and negotiates terms of any easement
Small group that practice in the area so you develop relationships with most of the people on all sides of the issues
High-speed rail project
Amarillo
He grew up in the Texas panhandle so it was home for him
200,000 population
People are great
Small legal community that allows you to build relationships with colleagues and opposing counsel; bar treats each other with respect
Great place to raise a family
Diverse economic base with multiple industries
oil/gas
farming/ranching
government
medical/health
Diverse topography - hills/canyons/water

Advice for lawyers

Worked for two different partners as a young associate, and key lessons he learned were
attention to detail and
the business-side of practicing law
Be organized
translates into work product
Bring work back to the partner finished (or very close to finished), and ask specific questions instead of general
Don't be arrogant; always be willing to learn
Don't bad mouth former employers
Prioritize your health and taking care of yourself

When they are hiring

No typos
Grammar/mistakes
Personalize cover letters (not just changing the names)
Highlight ties to the area
Bad answer to the question why you want this job? "I'm just looking for a job"...need to show you want THIS job
Be prepared for the interview; know something about the interviewers
(if you don't know who your interviewers are going to be...ask! Shows you are getting prepared)

Rapid Fire Questions

Most important trait in an associate - dependable
Key habit - organization
Favorite app/tool - Excel
Favorite social distancing activity - running
Favorite legal movie - A Few Good Men