Early in his career, New Jersey Supreme Court Justice John J. Hoffman moved to Japan to study international law and thought that was his path ahead.
"But it wasn't the right fit. Trial law was. Trying case felt like I was getting paid to play a game and a game that I loved," Justice Hoffman said. Realizing that taught him an important lesson about striking a balance between being purposeful and leaving room to grow and challenge yourself.
"If you find yourself fighting what you are doing that is a ton of energy that could be spent on something else," he said.
Hoffman spoke on a panel, "What I Wish I Knew," at the NJSBA Annual Meeting and Convention in Atlantic City on Thursday. The panel featured legal professionals at various stages of their careers to share lessons learned.
Several speakers discussed the importance of being willing to try new and different things when opportunities arise.
"Keep an open mind," said Bria Beaufort, of Gibbons PC.
Marc A. Rollo, managing partner of Archer & Greiner PC, said the firm has launched an initiative to allow attorneys to try work across practice groups to allow people to learn and grow.
"You have got to be open to opportunities," he said.
Rasmeet Chahil, of Lowenstein Sandler LLP, moderated the panel that also featured Yvette Cave, a lawyer at Archer & Greiner, and Christopher S. Porrino, chair of the litigation department at Lowenstein Sandler LLP.
Here are additional lessons the group shared:
• If there is a mistake, speak up right away. It will be easier to address.
• Do your homework; be a subject-matter expert.
• Difficult conversations only get more difficult if delayed and are usually best held in person.
• Avoid the blame game.
• There is rarely, if ever, a reason to overpromise or under-communicate.