Vol. 34, No. 1, 12. IVIy Perspective.

• Author: by Amanda Ferguson Esch Secretary-Treasurer Wyoming State Bar Young Lawyers Section

Wyoming Bar Journal

2011.

Vol. 34, No. 1, 12.

IVIy Perspective

Wyoming Bar JournalIssue: February, 2011MY Perspectiveby Amanda Ferguson Esch Secretary-Treasurer Wyoming State Bar Young Lawyers SectionWhen was the last time you complained to another attorney at your firm, a colleague, a friend, or a spouse about an experience you had with an opposing attorney? That they did not file something correctly, acted inappropriately in a hearing-type setting, or fi-ankly just seemed to have no idea what they were doing? My inclination is that this occurred at least once for most of you within the last six months, and more than likely, the cause of your frustration was a less experienced attorney.

Being a new attorney is a difficult, oftentimes rewarding, and sometimes frustrating job. I have been practicing for a little over three years now, and as I am sure the partners at my office will agree, sometimes it seems I do not know what I am doing. However, lucky for me, I work in an office where I have people to tell me when I have done something incorrectly, and offer guidance on how to correct my mistakes. It is oftentimes humbling but absolutely necessary to the protection of my client's interests and development as an attorney.

However, not all new attorneys work in a firm. Or sometimes you are faced with an issue that is outside your firm's expertise. The amazing thing about practicing in Wyoming is you can pick up the phone and call someone who does have the information you seek.

I admit when doing this, my first thought generally is "why would so and so waste his valuable time helping me?" This is what popped into my head a month ago when I had a very specific adoption-related question. One of my partners suggested I call an attorney in Sheridan who handles adoptions frequently. I had met this individual once, for about five minutes, and while I expected her to hear me out, I did not expect the...