Mistakes are an inevitable part of learning any profession, yet many law firms continue to operate within cultures that implicitly equate competence with perfection. In this New York Law Journal article, I examine how unrealistic expectations around error-free performance can undermine mentorship, increase anxiety, damage morale, and even heighten institutional risk within legal practice. Using the example of a young associate navigating the emotional fallout of a drafting mistake, the article explores the distinction between pursuing excellence and demanding perfection, as well as the consequences of law firm cultures that lack constructive norms for addressing mistakes openly and developmentally. These issues remain highly relevant today as law firms continue confronting concerns about attorney burnout, training, retention, psychological safety, and the long-term effects of high-pressure professional environments on younger lawyers.
Link to Article: https://www.law.com/newyorklawjournal/2019/04/19/making-mistakes-a-normal-part-of-learning-the-practice-of-law/
Published 4/19/2019 in New York Law Journal: Making Mistakes: A Normal Part of Learning the Practice of Law