MAJ Report – MAJ New Lawyer Programs Seek to Assist Newest Graduates

You graduated law school. You are days away from taking the bar exam. You are almost an attorney. Where do you go from here?

Many recent graduates are currently asking themselves that very question. How do you start your career? The Maryland Association for Justice (MAJ), a professional association dedicated to the legislative advocacy and professional development of (primarily) plaintiff attorneys, has developed programs and resources specifically aimed at assisting the new lawyer.

Starting with membership, MAJ offers all new admittees (attorneys practicing less than one year) free membership. With this comes access to multiple resources which may help you find a job, build a professional network, research your case or just do your job better.

As an attorney practicing seven years or less, upon joining MAJ, you automatically become a member of our New Lawyers Section – a group focused solely on the issues and challenges facing the young attorney. Membership in this section includes access to the New Lawyers list server, a forum where you may post questions to your fellow new lawyers and discuss topics important to you. The best part? There are no section dues.

You can also join MAJ for its “Nuts & Bolts” series, highlighting the basics of litigating a variety of cases, ranging from Family Law to Criminal Law to Auto Negligence. These meeting are usually hosted in the early morning or evening to accommodate your busy schedule, and feature speakers that are respected leaders in their fields. As an added bonus, all “Nuts & Bolts” meetings are free for new lawyers.

Looking to land that first big job? The MAJ Career Center could be your key resource. Located under Attorney Resources on the MAJ website, this service is completely free for all job-seekers, and posting your resume is simple. Fill out a short form, upload your resume, hit “Submit,” and you’re done. While there, browse the job postings and see if there is an employer looking for candidates like you.

The MAJ Mentor/Mentee Program is an excellent option for many attorneys getting their start. Each new lawyer is paired with an experienced attorney Mentor, who can provide you with invaluable resources and practical advice, professional contacts and support to aide and guide you in your career. You many even have the opportunity to shadow your Mentor in court. Several exclusive events are hosted throughout the year, allowing you and your Mentor the opportunity to connect.

Another added perk of being an MAJ New Lawyer is the discounted admission to many of our biggest educational seminars. Spend the day covering important legal issues with leading attorneys, judges and experts. These full and half-day seminars are offered throughout the year.

Doing research for that next case? The MAJ document and deposition banks should be your first stop. Examine a defense expert’s deposition, search for motions or briefs and find important verdict and settlement information. As an MAJ member, you have access to more than ten million local and national documents.

MAJ’s quarterly journal, Trial Reporter, will soon become your desk reference for many of the legal topics affecting your practice. Each issue features a variety of articles, columns and resources aimed at helping you do your job better. Subscription is free to all MAJ members and archives can be viewed and searched on the MAJ website.

In addition to all these offerings, MAJ New Lawyers also enjoy the benefits of all other members, such as case evaluation clinics, legislative advocacy, networking opportunities and much more.

It is also never too early to get involved with many of the MAJ committees, which not only guide and shape the direction of the Association, but also provide personal benefits to you. You can make new contacts, build your resume and make a difference in your community.

An MAJ membership is so much more than your name in a directory. Our aim is to provide all our members, rookies and experienced pros, with the tools and advocacy they need to best serve their clients and the profession.

To join MAJ today or learn more about what we do, visit us at www.marylandassociationforjustice.com or call us at (410) 872-0990.