Derek Gilliland, trial lawyer with Sorey, Gilliland, & Hull in Longview joins us on the show today. He talks about having a positive attitude, closing the loop, and self-awareness in an interview. 

COVID-19 update (as of 6/18/20)

Closed the office in March and worked remotely
Last two weeks has somewhat returned to business as usual
Longview hasn't been hit as hard and didn't close down long; everyone is mostly business as usual
Case/court-wise things are still constantly changing
Forced them to go more electronic with record keeping, etc.
Some judges have held hearings via Zoom
Gregg County Bar CLE on the topic from the local chief judge
Even Gregg County District Clerk is by appointment only
Prefers to be with the witness even if all the lawyers aren't (just to make sure there isn't coaching of the witness or signaling that isn't getting picked up on the video)
If you are using exhibits in the depo, you need to get them to the court reporter ahead of time, which kind of tips your hand to the other side...so you have to think strategically...maybe include lots of exhibits even if you only plan to ask about one or two
Some parties will insist on delaying depos until they can be taken in-person
Clients have been understanding; they are a lot quicker to call than come into the office
variety of approach to masks/handshakes/etc.

His firm and practice

Started in January 2020
Plaintiff-side civil litigation: personal injury and intellectual property
He was an engineer prior to law school and then started practicing in 1998; practiced in Austin, Waco and now Longview
Business interruption insurance has become a hot topic; we'll see if it turns into cases; will insurance companies pay or not?
Pending legislation with immunity riders for COVID-liability and even going beyond that
Longivew practice -
80,000 population with a 6A high school
small legal community which helps keep people in check; you will come across other lawyers multiple times
great quality of life
Can get civil cases in federal court moving because they aren't overrun with lots of criminal cases

Advice for lawyers in practice

Have a positive attitude
Be self-motivated; when you finish something go find somebody and figure out how you can help them
Don't rely on others to initiate giving work to you; go ask for it!
Partners have a ton going on and they may not stop and think about how an associate could help, but they would if you asked them
Lack of follow up or failure to close the loop is a problem
don't just sit back and wait
get someone on the phone if that's what it takes
that's often the last thing a young associate wants to do

Advice for lawyers in the job search

grades and/or prior success
show that you are a self-starter
hobbies can be a clue
be a good teammate
Lack of self-awareness is an issue; don't talk for 15 minutes w/o engaging the interviewers in the conversation; don't take the whole interview talking about themselves
Lack of preparedness; did they google the firm and bios? If they didn't research prior to the interview, will they do the research necessary for their cases?

Parting Thought

Positive attitude and perseverance are keys

Rapid Fire Questions

Trait/characteristic you most want to see in an associate: ambition
Key habit: persistence
Favorite app/tool: Goodreader
Favorite social distancing activity: wake-boarding / lake
Favorite legal movie: My Cousin Vinny

Thanks again to Derek Gilliland for coming on the show!