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About Marissa Geannette

Marissa graduated from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law in 2009 where she was a member of the Law Review. She began her career in the corporate department of White & Case LLP in NYC and spent 8 years as an associate there. Marissa is passionate about educating law students and recent law grads about Biglaw and career paths one can take after law school (both traditional and non-traditional). She wrote her book, “Behind the Biglaw Curtain” to help demystify Biglaw for those beginning their careers. Whether it’s in Biglaw or not, she believes that there is a satisfying career out there for everyone (even if it’s not the traditional one you thought you were “supposed” to have).

How to Be Your Own Advocate on the Job as a New Lawyer

October 24, 2023 by Leave a Comment

How to Be Your Own Advocate on the Job as a New LawyerThis week we welcome back guest writer Marissa Geannette to talk about speaking up for yourself when you’re a new attorney.

As a new lawyer, you’ve already worked tirelessly to earn your JD, pass the bar, and secure your first job. However, your journey is far from over – it’s just beginning!

To succeed in the legal profession, you must learn how to be your own advocate. This skill is not only essential for your professional development but also for your overall job satisfaction. Here, we explore strategies and techniques that will help you become an effective advocate for yourself over the course of your legal career. [Read more…]

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Behind the Scenes of Legal Writing: Understanding the Writing of Practicing Lawyers

August 29, 2023 by Leave a Comment

Behind the Scenes of Legal Writing Understanding the Writing of Practicing LawyersThis week we welcome back guest writer Marissa Geannette to talk about the different types of legal writing.

The legal profession is often associated with words, language, and writing, and students who are strong writers have always been drawn to it. From contracts and pleadings to briefs and memos, legal writing is an integral part of a practicing lawyer’s day-to-day work.

While you’ve undoubtedly taken a legal writing course or two in law school, the truth is that legal writing is much more diverse than what those classes make it out to be. If you’re wondering what type of writing you’ll be doing once you become a practicing lawyer, read on as we delve into various forms of writing that lawyers engage in every day. [Read more…]

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The Benefits of Joining Law School Student Organizations

August 15, 2023 by Leave a Comment

The Benefits of Joining Law School Student OrganizationsThis week we welcome back guest writer Marissa Geannette to discuss why joining a law school organization can be beneficial to your life as a law student.

Law school can be an intense experience, filled with long hours of studying, tough classes, and even tougher professors. While most law students are focused on academic success, seeking out a supportive community that fosters personal and professional growth is just as important. One of the most effective ways to do this is by joining law school student organizations.

You might not feel like you have a lot of free time on your hands, but making the time for these extracurriculars offers benefits that can significantly enhance your law school experience and your future legal career. Here, we explore the many advantages of becoming an active member of your law school student organizations and how doing so can help you find your legal community during law school and beyond. [Read more…]

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You Can Do Anything With a Law Degree – These Authors Prove It!

July 4, 2023 by Leave a Comment

You Can Do Anything With a Law Degree – These Authors Prove It!This week we welcome back guest writer Marissa Geannette to talk about what you can do with a law degree.

You’ve no doubt heard it before – “you can do anything with a law degree!” But do you believe it? Are there really alternatives to working as a lawyer? There absolutely are plenty. And while most law students aren’t thinking about how to leave the profession before they even enter it, it’s good to know all of your options.

Here, for some inspiration, we delve a little bit into the fascinating world of lawyers turned novelists and give some tips on what you can do if you think that’s something you might be interested in doing. Knowing that alternative career paths exist is one of the smartest things you can do for yourself as a young lawyer.

Who knows, maybe you’ll add author to your resumé one day!

[Read more…]

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Law Students – Do You Have a Plan for Your Legal Career?

May 23, 2023 by Leave a Comment

Law Students - Do You Have a Plan for Your Legal Career?

This week we welcome back guest writer and attorney Marissa Geannette to discuss how to plan for your future legal career as a law student.

Planning your legal career can be an overwhelming thought for law students. How are you supposed to know what type of lawyer you want to be or what kind of law you want to practice after just a few years of school? On top of that, most law school classes cover subjects that lawyers never use again once they graduate!

If you are feeling unsure of what to do, don’t despair. There are some steps you can take while you’re still in law school to develop a plan for your legal career. You can make the process more manageable by breaking things down into specific areas of consideration.

While you don’t have to know exactly what you’re going to be doing for the rest of your legal career, it is helpful to have a general plan for where you want to take your career once you graduate. That’s what we’re to help you with. Read on for key areas to focus on when developing a career plan.

[Read more…]

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How is Life as a Lawyer Different from Life as a Law Student?

April 25, 2023 by Leave a Comment

How is Life as a Lawyer Different from Life as a Law Student?This week we welcome back guest writer Marissa Geannette to discuss the differences that come with being a practicing lawyer once you’ve left law school.

By now, you’ve probably heard that law school and working as a lawyer are two totally different things. Some go so far as to claim that nothing you learn in law school prepares you for the “real” world. While I don’t agree with that, there are definitely huge differences between life as a law student and life as a lawyer.

Some law students get anxious, wondering what working as a lawyer will entail. It’s a big change, that’s for sure (and I’m not just talking about how much, or little – if you’re going into corporate law – you’ll be using Westlaw or Lexis). But it’s something that you can prepare for by knowing a little bit more about some of the key differences between student living and lawyer living. [Read more…]

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How to Manage a Medical Issue When You Have a Full-Time, Demanding, Legal Job

March 14, 2023 by Leave a Comment

How to Manage a Medical Issue When You Have a Full-Time, Demanding, Legal JobThis week we welcome back guest writer and lawyer Marissa Geannette to discuss dealing with a medical issue and being a lawyer at the same time.

Juggling a demanding legal job with all of your other life obligations definitely takes some work. On top of that, if you have a medical issue, it’s even more essential that you have a plan so that neither your work nor your health suffers.

So, how can you manage a medical issue and keep up with your job, all while taking care of yourself? This is such an individual question, and, in the end, what you choose to do or say (or not do or say) is totally up to you. However, we have a few tips to help you start thinking about how you might want to manage your own situation. [Read more…]

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The Pros and Cons of Quitting Your Job After Less Than a Year

February 14, 2023 by Leave a Comment

The Pros and Cons of Quitting Your Job After Less Than a YearThis week we welcome guest writer Marissa Geannette to talk about what to do if you want to quit your job quickly.

After you graduate from law school and take the bar, it’s time to start your first legal job. For most, it’s an exciting beginning of a new career. For some, though, that first job is not exactly what they were hoping it would be.

There’s almost always an adjustment period when starting something new. Working at a law firm or other legal job is no different. What happens, though, if, almost from the get-go, your shiny new job is not at all what you were hoping it would be? Can you quit shortly after starting, or will that sink your legal career before it’s even had time to get off the ground? Let’s explore. [Read more…]

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How To Juggle Multiple Work Assignments At Once

January 17, 2023 by Leave a Comment

How To Juggle Multiple Work Assignments At OnceThis week we welcome back guest writer Marissa Geannette to discuss managing multiple work assignments as a lawyer.

As a law student, you already know what it’s like to have more than one thing due at once. Having competing obligations and multiple assignments due at once is nothing new to you.

When you begin working, especially at a law firm, you’ll likely find that you have even more things to juggle. Sooner rather than later, you’re bound to receive multiple assignments, from multiple lawyers, all due at the same time. So, what’s a new lawyer to do?

First of all, let’s put something to bed once and for all– multitasking doesn’t work. Our minds can’t do two things at once, so when we try to do that, we end up costing ourselves more time in the end.

That’s why none of these tips are about how to multitask. Instead, we talk about other strategies you can implement to juggle multiple work assignments without driving yourself crazy.

[Read more…]

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What Is The Billable Hour? An Overview And Practical Tips For New Lawyers

December 6, 2022 by Leave a Comment

What Is The Billable Hour? An Overview And Practical Tips For New LawyersThis week we welcome guest write Marissa Geannette to talk about an overview of the billable hour.

When I was a law student, I had no idea how law firms operated. One of the biggest mysteries to me was the billable hour. I’d heard that most law firms required their lawyers to track their time, but I didn’t really know what that meant.

If you feel similarly confused, hopefully, this post will make things clearer for you. While it takes a little while to understand the billable hour, with these practical tips, you’ll get the hang of it in no time!

[Read more…]

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