Mary Green, medical malpractice and personal injury lawyer with Pierce Skrabanek in Houston, joins us on today's show! Mary talks about organization, asking the how and why, and moving from the defense side to the plaintiff's side.

Her firm/practice

Medical malpractice law
Biggest changes were in 2003 tort reform
Now paying attention to SB6 relating to immunity of healthcare providers in treatment of COVID patients
Almost every one of her cases was on hold last spring/summer, but then everyone adapted and many of the cases were able to progress, and had her first in-person trial last month
Some cases settled quickly for not wanting to wait forever to get into court, but others just held out since there wasn't any pressure of a pending trial to encourage a settlement
Having worked on the defense side of the personal injury docket is a plus for a plaintiff's firm: communicating with an adjuster, moving cases forward, etc.
But you do have to adjust to a more proactive approach since the plaintiff's side drives the litigation
Getting away from the billable hour requires a change in mindset from checking a box on time to accomplishing specific tasks/goals regardless of how long they take.

Advice to lawyers in practice

Organization has been key for her
Evernote!
Find a way that works for you; there isn't a one-size-fits-all way to accomplish the goals for the client
If your partner takes the time to explain, teach, share reasons/rationale with you, listen and engage. Or if they aren't, ask! That demonstrates your curiosity and interest in understanding
Also can give you a chance to demonstrate what you've done so far
establish rapport with partners
understand context - if there is an urgent deadline this might not be possible
Don't take fake-it-till-you-make-it to an extreme
Have confidence, but understand when you don't know something and need to ask questions and learn
Much of your business will come by referrals, so maintain connections
with others in your field
with former classmates
with other lawyers

Advice to lawyers on the lateral market

Tailor your resume to the specific position you are applying to
shows that you really want this job and aren't just looking for a job
this can also help you think through whether or not the position is the right fit for you
The firm is looking for how will the candidate interact with clients, judges, etc. based on how they are communicating in the interview
Interviewers are also trying to determine whether they want to work with the person day-in and day-out
Candidates should be thinking about that same thing; do you want to work with this group of people?
Doesn't mean they are looking for the same type of people; but rather a group who can work well together and get along together

Final Thoughts

Remember the human side of things; clients are often going through one of the most challenging times in their lives
Everyone grieves differently
Everyone responds to stress differently

Rapid Fire Questions

Name one trait/characteristic you most want to see in an associate: hardworking
What habit has been key to your success: organization
Favorite app/productivity tool: Evernote
What would be listed first on the interest line of your resume: travel
Favorite legal movie: To Kill A Mockingbird / My Cousin Vinny

Thanks again to Mary Green for joining us on today's show!