Ride the Lightning

COVID-19 is Brutal to Young Lawyers

August 31, 2020

The title of this post is the title of the Legal Talk Network Digital Edge podcast Jim Calloway and I recorded recently with guest Graham Bryant. Graham, at the time we recorded, was just finishing up his clerkship with Virginia Supreme Court Justice William Mims. One of the lucky ones, Graham is moving on to a wonderful new job in a great law firm.

But Graham is the exception. Sadly, young lawyers have found their offers from law firms withdrawn or offers postponed until January 2021. Many don't have a job anywhere on their horizon – but they sure have a lot of debt, averaging over six figures. They have rent or mortgages to pay and many have families to support.

While this is not my usual topic, I found myself very concerned (as is Graham) about the hardships the pandemic has inflicted on young lawyers.

Graham and I forged a friendship a few years ago when we both served on the Virginia State Bar's Wellness Committee. We've stayed in touch, lectured together and kept up with one another's lives. He was the perfect choice to talk about the serious consequences the pandemic has had for young lawyers – and the impact on their well-being.

It's always a pleasure to talk to Graham – he is brilliant, witty, and impassioned. If the topic interests you, listen to this very illuminating podcast. One resolution I made early on this year was that I would never refuse to talk to a young lawyer over email, or by phone or Zoom if they had questions or were asking for guidance.

Jim and I really enjoyed our conversation with Graham – I think you will too.

Sharon D. Nelson, Esq., President, Sensei Enterprises, Inc.
3975 University Drive, Suite 225|Fairfax, VA 22030l
Email: Phone: 703-359-0700
Digital Forensics/Cybersecurity/Information Technology
https://senseient.com
https://twitter.com/sharonnelsonesq
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharondnelson
https://amazon.com/author/sharonnelson