Finding Your Fit: Why People Matter More Than Practice

A Guest Post from Jay Harrington

Today’s message is from my friend Jay Harrington. If you don’t know his work already, I strongly recommend it. He is an incredible follow on LinkedIn and has written some of the best books on being a successful junior lawyer and how lawyers can market themselves better. I also interviewed him on my podcast and I have been on his. Here’s Jay:

You may have arrived at your summer associate position with a clear vision: This is the practice group I want to join. Here's what I wish someone had told me at that stage: keep an open mind. Because when it comes to long-term career satisfaction, the people you work with matter more than the work itself.

Even the most fascinating legal issues can become a grind once deadlines, billables, and opposing counsel enter the picture. What makes the difference? The colleagues who help you through it—people you like and respect, mentors who invest in your growth, and teammates you can grab a beer with after a long day.

Each practice group has its own culture, and within groups, informal teams form around key partners. Some of those teams are healthy and high-functioning. Some… not so much. The only way to begin understanding these dynamics is to work broadly as a summer. Take on varied assignments. Talk to people at all levels. Notice who seems energized by their work and invested in their colleagues.

Of course, your experience as a summer associate only gives you a partial view. The work is curated, the hours are lighter, and everyone is (generally) on their best behavior. But the mindset still applies. Carry it with you into your first year, when there’s often still flexibility to shift into a different group. The earlier you find yourself surrounded by the right people, the better your odds of building a sustainable and fulfilling career.

And remember: larger forces can upend even the best-laid plans. I learned that the hard way. I came in laser-focused on M&A—prestigious, fast-paced, and exciting. I spent my whole summer there, got an offer, and was set to start on September 17, 2001. Then 9/11 happened. A few days later, I was reassigned to corporate bankruptcy/restructuring—an area I’d never studied and didn’t understand. I felt lost.

But here’s the twist: I ended up really enjoying it (in the relative sense that “enjoying” applies in a busy law firm). Not because I fell in love with the Bankruptcy Code, but because the people were exceptional—smart, collaborative, and invested in helping me succeed.

The work matters. But the people matter more. Let that guide your summer—and your career.