The New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) leadership skills series last week offered an inside view of how leaders in the bar work with legislators, legislation and the Association to influence laws, policy and regulations in New Jersey.
Panelists included state Senator Mike Testa Jr., Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, former Assembly Majority Counsel Brian Quigley, Assistant Legislative Counsel to the Office of Legislative Services Roger Lai, and former Banking Law Chair and lobbyist Mary Kathryn Roberts.
The panelists discussed how the NJSBA influenced their career paths and offered advice about how to best use the tools offered by the NJSBA to impact legislation or become more involved in the legislative process.
They also offered advice on what to do to succeed professionally.
“Be the best at what you do, even if it’s answering the phones,” Quijano said.
“Your work on what seem like the simplest skills translates to your professional life and I remember those people when I interact with them,” she said.
Testa concurred and added, “I take note of how my staff is treated.”
The panelists encouraged getting internships and volunteering as a way to get a foot in the door. Testa said he will offer opportunities to shadow him when the state reopens.
The program was the fourth in a series of sessions held throughout the year to provide practical skills to lawyers.