Mackrell International's (MI) Mentor Series brings together seasoned lawyers with our Next Generation of legal leaders. MI Mentors share their professional and personal experiences and advice to help guide up-and-coming lawyers.
This session features David Ettinger, MI Chairman and Partner at Keller & Heckman.
David Ettinger isn’t the same man he was five years ago. And he predicts he won’t be the same person five years from now.
That’s because the partner with the D.C.-based firm Keller & Heckman LLP believes in the power of reinvention.
“Reinventing yourself keeps you fresh,” said Ettinger, who currently leads Keller and Heckman’s Shanghai, China office and also serves as the chair for Mackrell International. Seeking that self-renewal, he said, “allows you to enjoy a career and not get stuck into one aspect of it.”
David, whose expertise is working in food safety and consumer products, has been practicing law for 28 years and has been with the same law firm for 20 of those. He has served as a criminal attorney and domestic lawyer. And in that time, he said, he has often reinvented himself both professionally and personally - for instance, moving from one continent to another, as well as getting involved in a new area of law outside of his comfort zone.
“Lots of things can happen when you reinvent yourself, - I think that should be something you’re always thinking about.”
David noted that junior associates can find ways to tweak their focus at their existing law firms, without the need to move to another firm. He suggested relying first on the resources you already have in your own firm and finding internal support for the areas you’d like to explore. They can start by surfing the internet, finding conferences that support your interest and presenting those opportunities to the firm leaders.
The most effective way to achieve reinvention, according to David, is to allow an expansion that logically flows with a lawyer’s existing area of practice, rather than learning a whole new dimension within the profession.
“It's the best of both worlds,” Ettinger said. “It's what your firm wants you to do, and it enhances your professional career.”
Along the way, David reminded younger lawyers not to underestimate the need for good mentors and reiterated the importance of being involved with organizations such as Mackrell International that broaden your scope, your relationships and your thought processes -“You are all the antennas from the network to your firm.”
To maximize the involvement with Mackrell International, he suggested that you:
Identify where all members are
Connect with members as often as possible
Review the firm’s procedures for the organization with a delegate
Become familiar with the practice groups within the organization
Follow up with contacts after team meetings.
Get involved in corporate social responsibility opportunities
David said he has many mentors in his life, on both personal and professional levels. Drawing from a group of guides has been most beneficial, he said, in growing as a person and a lawyer while he collects the best traits from each.
“And together, with all of those skills that you enjoy practicing, you will probably, one day, become a better mentor than they were to you. And you’ll be able to pass that information to people who are moving up the ranks. Look back and say to those junior lawyers, ‘Let me help you the way I was helped.’”
His advice to new or aspiring lawyers:
Find a work/life balance. “My greatest accomplishment in life is raising my three children and that has been an important aspect of my professional career. It’s important to have that balance.”
Be responsive. Follow up promptly with emails, even if to say you’ve received it and are giving it some thought with a promise to get back to the sender. Also be responsive to those within your firm to let them know you care. “That’s going to continue to develop the reputation that you want to have.”
Be kind and generous. Show early on that you are kind and generous and people will then do the same for you.
Hone your skills. “Don’t be afraid to go to the powers that be at your firm and say, ‘Hey, there’s 20 of us who want to take a speaking class or writing class.”
Always use good judgement. If you are in doubt about something, talk to a senior for advice. Never give legal advice “off the top of your head.” Consider the consequences of every email. In uncertain situations, “hit the pause button and talk to people to get their feedback.”
The full recording of David’s discussion with Keith Heddle, MI’s Managing Director, is available on-demand from our YouTube channel. Like and subscribe to our Channel to keep on top of legal developments from around the world.