The legal profession is known for its demanding nature, and understanding a typical “Day In The Life Of A Lawyer” often depends significantly on their specific area of practice. It’s widely acknowledged that lawyers frequently work beyond the standard 40-hour workweek, and their daily schedules rarely adhere to a strict 9-to-5 routine.
My own experience since 2008 has been in litigation, primarily focusing on insurance bad faith defense. In this role, I work alongside other attorneys, representing insurance companies facing allegations of improper claim handling. This specialization shapes my daily activities and priorities.
Each day presents a unique set of tasks, but common responsibilities for a litigation attorney include:
- Legal Document Drafting and Research: A significant portion of my time is dedicated to drafting various legal documents. This includes pleadings to initiate or respond to lawsuits, and briefs that present legal arguments to the court. This also involves in-depth research of case law to support legal positions and strategies.
- Client Communication and Reporting: Maintaining clear and consistent communication with clients is crucial. This involves providing regular updates on case progress, reporting on key developments, and seeking client input through emails, phone calls, and formal reports.
- Witness Management: Cases often rely on witness testimony. My role includes locating and meeting with witnesses in diverse settings to gather information, prepare them for depositions or trial, and assess their potential testimony.
- Document Review and Strategy Development: The discovery phase of litigation generates substantial documentation. I spend considerable time reviewing documents pertinent to each case to identify key evidence, understand the factual landscape, and formulate effective legal strategies for trial or resolution.
- Depositions: Depositions are a critical part of fact-finding. This involves taking depositions of opposing parties and witnesses, which requires careful questioning and analysis. Conversely, it also includes preparing our own witnesses to be deposed, ensuring they are ready to provide accurate and helpful testimony.
- Court Appearances and Hearings: Representing clients in court is a core function. This includes preparing for and attending various types of court hearings, such as motion hearings, status conferences, and pre-trial conferences, to advocate for the client’s interests.
- Settlement and Mediation: Exploring settlement options is often a key part of litigation. I participate in settlement conferences and mediations to negotiate potential resolutions between parties, aiming to achieve favorable outcomes for clients without proceeding to trial.
- Trial Preparation and Attendance: When cases proceed to trial, extensive preparation is necessary. This involves organizing evidence, preparing witnesses, and developing trial strategy. Attending trial and actively litigating the case is the culmination of much of the preceding work.
The daily rhythm is far from monotonous. One day might be heavily focused on witness preparation, while another could be dominated by legal research and drafting in the office. Court hearings might occupy another day entirely. Interspersed throughout are constant communications – phone calls and emails – with opposing counsel, clients, and the court. Ultimately, the daily efforts converge on achieving a positive resolution for the client, whether through settlement or trial.
While the work schedule is consistently demanding, the legal field has adapted to recent shifts, particularly since the pandemic. The increased use of virtual platforms for meetings and depositions has become a notable change, and it is likely that virtual communication will remain a significant part of legal practice moving forward.
Despite the challenges and demands inherent in a lawyer’s career, it offers substantial rewards and intellectual stimulation. The dynamic nature of the work and the opportunity to solve complex problems for clients contribute to a fulfilling and engaging professional life.
About Carrie McNeer Carrie McNeer is of counsel in the Tulsa office of GableGotwals. Her practice focuses on defending corporate and individual clients in a wide variety of complex litigation in state and federal courts. Prior to joining the Firm, Carrie served as Senior Counsel in complex civil defense litigation, including medical malpractice, nursing home defense, dental malpractice, elevator maintenance, and premises liability. Carrie’s litigation practice includes advising clients in all areas of civil litigation from initial assignment to trial.Carrie graduated from law school from The University of Tulsa College of Law in 2008. During that time, Carrie served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Judge Russell P. Hass at the Tulsa County Courthouse. She received her undergraduate degree in Marketing in 2005 from The University of Tulsa.
