What They Don't Teach You In Law School: Adam Gropper Empowers Young Lawyers to Navigate Career Success
Robert Plank
Podcaster | Author | I help podcasters release episodes on autopilot and monetize their shows right away despite the size of their current audience. Message me! | INTJ-T | KOLBE 5473
You’re trying to build a career in law, but your path forward is confusing, filled with uncertainty, and it’s hard to know which steps to take to achieve your goals. The pressure is constant: finding the right job, meeting client expectations, managing an unpredictable work environment.
Do you ever feel lost? Like no matter how hard you work, it’s not enough to truly stand out? You've heard that networking is key, but what does that really mean? Handing out business cards to strangers? It’s frustrating, and it leaves you feeling like you're not making real progress.
How many times have you thought that another degree or a better GPA would be your ticket to success? You spend years perfecting your resume—stacking up grades, degrees, certifications—only to discover that everyone else has done the same. The truth is, the legal field is saturated with talent. The competition is fierce, and no matter how impressive your credentials are, they often aren’t enough to set you apart.
It’s Frustrating, Isn’t It?
You’ve done everything right, but you’re still struggling to break through the noise and make a name for yourself.
Adam Gropper , the founder of LegalJob LLC and a former Big Law partner turned career coach, gets it. He’s been where you are. I recently interviewed him on my podcast, Marketer of the Day , about how he helps law students succeed by working smarter.
Adam brings expertise not only as a successful coach but also as a practitioner—a former big firm tax partner at Baker & Hostetler LLP and a lawyer on the staff of the non-partisan Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation that helps craft tax law. He knows the sleepless nights, the rejection, the uncertainty.
He faced rejection—150 times, to be exact. Imagine putting yourself out there 150 times and getting nothing but 'no' in return. Even the firm that eventually made him partner rejected him twice. It was a brutal reality check. But the turning point came when Adam stopped focusing on what he wanted. He asked himself: What do these firms need? How can I help them succeed? By understanding their needs and showing how he could meet them, he finally broke through. He wants you to think like an owner.
In his book, "What They Don't Teach You in Law School: How to Get a Job" , Adam lays out a detailed, step-by-step guide for young lawyers to shift from self-focus to client-focus. He offers practical strategies on how to build genuine connections, stand out in a crowded market, and think like a business owner.
Think Act, React, and Interact
Adam's approach is different from traditional advice because it doesn’t rely on stacking up more credentials—instead, it focuses on providing value to others and creating demand for your unique skills. He teaches a unique way to think, act, react, and interact that enables associates to provide superior service to partners and existing clients, while also attracting and cultivating new clients.
His book also dives into topics like networking effectively, positioning yourself as a thought leader, and understanding what potential employers truly value. By adopting these principles, law students and associates can create a clear plan for securing their dream jobs and competently execute that plan.
Drawing from years of experience as a tax attorney and his roles in both private practice and government, Adam offers transformative insights that guide law students and associates alike. The lessons he shares are practical, actionable, and often center on the power of asking the right questions—not just for you, but to understand and solve others' problems. By rethinking how they approach their careers, Adam's students have found new ways to stand out in an increasingly saturated market.
Self-Focus and the Credentials Trap
How many times have you thought that another degree or a better GPA would be your ticket to success? You spend years perfecting your resume—stacking up grades, degrees, certifications—only to discover that everyone else has done the same. The truth is, the legal field is saturated with talent. The competition is fierce, and no matter how impressive your credentials are, they often aren’t enough to set you apart. It’s frustrating, isn’t it? You’ve done everything right, but you’re still struggling to break through the noise and make a name for yourself.
Adam Gropper Faced This Problem Himself
He recounts a pivotal moment in his own career when he, like many young lawyers, was too focused on his own qualifications—his resume, his achievements—and not on how he could serve potential employers or clients. As a coach, Adam helps open-minded, tactical-thinking law students and highly motivated associates overcome these challenges by identifying their dream law job, creating a clear plan to secure it, and executing it competently. It wasn't until he learned to pivot and focus on understanding the needs of others that his career trajectory changed. Adam now teaches associates how to think, act, react, and interact in ways that enable them to provide superior service and find deeper meaning in their work.
Shifting From Self-Focus to Client Focus: A Unique Solution
"Nobody cares about your credentials unless it helps them solve their problem," Adam emphasizes during a recent podcast appearance. It's a simple but profound truth that aspiring lawyers often overlook. Credentials are only valuable when they serve a purpose beyond personal achievement; they must be leveraged to solve someone else's problem.
This is a central theme in his coaching. Adam advises that, whether networking with senior partners, talking to clients, or even preparing job applications, young lawyers should shift their perspective. Ask yourself:
It’s not about rattling off your accomplishments—it’s about showing that you understand what the other person needs and that you’re ready to provide value.
The Importance of Specific, Sincere Engagement: Standing Out in Networking
You’ve been told to network—everyone says it’s important. But what does networking really mean to you? Do you dread attending events where you’re expected to hand out business cards and make small talk that feels shallow? Adam understands this struggle, and he teaches a different approach—one that’s personal, specific, and sincere. Instead of trying to impress everyone, focus on building genuine connections. It’s not about quantity; it’s about quality.
He describes the difference between showing up at an event merely to hand out business cards versus attending with a genuine desire to connect and add value. In his book, "What They Don't Teach You in Law School: How to Get a Job ," Adam explains that lawyers should be presenters and speakers at events whenever possible. Instead of blending in, they should strive to contribute something meaningful—such as insights on a specific area of law that they're passionate about.
Create Genuine Demand For Your Insights
During a recent interview, Adam shared the story of Alice, a young tax lawyer who was struggling. Alice was talented, but she felt overwhelmed by the demands of her firm, and she dreaded the idea of networking.
Adam told her something that changed everything: stop being just another face in the crowd. Instead of forcing herself to attend every event, Alice began focusing on opportunities where she could be a speaker or share her expertise. This shift helped her feel more comfortable, and it positioned her as an authority in her field. Instead of trying to sell herself, she created genuine demand for her insights. This approach enabled Alice to not only feel more comfortable but also position herself as an authority—creating demand for her expertise rather than trying to “sell” herself.
Addressing the New Normal in Legal Careers: Challenges and Solutions
Remote and hybrid work has changed the game for young lawyers. Suddenly, the old ways of proving yourself—being physically present, being seen by partners, always being available in the office—don’t apply anymore. You might be wondering: How do I stand out now? How do I show my value when I’m working from my kitchen table instead of the office? It’s a new world, and it’s easy to feel like you’re losing ground.
Adam pointed out that the associates who thrive in this new environment are the ones who adapt. They don’t dwell on what they’re missing—like face time with partners. Instead, they ask themselves the important questions: How can I still provide value? How can I show my dedication, even if I’m not in the office every day? The key isn’t to worry about what you’re losing—it’s to find new ways to stay valuable and relevant.
According to Adam, responsiveness is key. In a remote setup, clients and partners can’t simply walk down the hall to get answers. This means young lawyers need to be proactive—responding to emails promptly and staying visible even while working from home. It’s about showing investment in the work, regardless of physical location. Adam emphasizes that this shift requires a new level of discipline and intentionality—being proactive in communicating, seeking feedback, and staying engaged, even without the in-person cues.
Personal Transformation Through Service: Adam's Journey
Adam’s transformation—from a rejected law school graduate to a partner in a prestigious law firm—serves as a powerful example for young lawyers that the key to career success lies not in individual accolades, but in genuine service to others.
And here’s the surprise: Adam didn’t just make partner. When he did, he showed the rejection letter he had kept to the very committee that had turned him down. It was a moment of full-circle triumph, a reminder that perseverance, when paired with a genuine shift in focus, can lead to incredible results.
Key Takeaways for Young Lawyers
The Bigger Picture: Shifting Perspectives for Long-Term Career Growth
According to Adam Gropper, true career growth is more than legal knowledge—it’s about understanding people, solving problems, and being a valuable partner to those around you. For young lawyers seeking to stand out, the answer may not lie in more credentials or technical skills, but in a shift of perspective: from thinking about what you want to what you can give.
Because many others have similar degrees and qualifications as you do, standing out requires a different approach. It requires seeing your career not as a list of accomplishments but as a series of opportunities to be of service. When young lawyers learn to think like an owner, focus on others, and embrace service, they unlock the path to a fulfilling and successful career.
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