Family & Juvenile
Law Section "Top 10"
TOP TEN THINGS A NEW PRACTICIONER CAN DO
TO IMPROVE HIS OR HER KNOWLEDGE OF FAMILY LAW
By: The Honorable Mary M. Kramer, Alisa G. Cummins, Esquire
- Read the relevant rules, statutes and cases.
- Consult a learned treatise (e.g., Fader on Maryland Family Law).
- Network with more experienced attorneys so you have someone with known competence to call with questions.
- Take CLE courses on family law topics to learn more.
- Engage co-counsel for the case, and serve pro bono while you learn from co-counsel how to handle the issue in the future.
- Decline a case where your skills and knowledge are insufficient to meet the client’s needs and, instead, refer the client to a more experienced practitioner.
- Apply for a mentor through the state or your local bar association.
- Consider posting on the listserv, but only after you have tried to answer the question yourself.
- Consult the rules of professional conduct (and considerations of civility) to assure that your words and actions are appropriate.
- Review form pleadings and other model forms.
