Matthew Myers, immigration lawyer and partner at MW Law, joins us on today's show! Matthew talks about a wild year in immigration law, how to navigate law firm politics, and highly targeting your job search efforts.

His practice / firm

Recently launched his own practice after working with a large immigration law firm
Mostly working on investor and employment immigration cases
Partnered with two friends who had a business/real estate transactional firm and started the immigration section
International focused
Always something new in immigration law:
The Trump administration just changed an important definition of the type of job that qualifies for an H-1B visa
A significant number of major developments in 2020
Shutting down travel to different countries and different types of visas during this pandemic
Would a Biden-administration open the immigration system back up?

Covid Update (as of 10/8/20)

A lot of fear/confusion for clients, which creates opportunity for lawyers to be of assistance
All the US embassies and consulates were closed in March which dramatically impacted people trying to get back into the country
Has been working at home but is ready to get back into the office to try and keep a separation between and personal
Most of his practice can all be done remote/online
He has volunteered to work on asylum/removal defense cases where hearings are still happening in-person

Advice for lawyers in practice

Get into the office before everyone else, and be the last one to leave
He distinguished himself at the firm in a short time because of his commitment to this
Higher volume work in the early years can multiply your experience, so that after three or four years you've gained what amounts to 10+ years of experience
Approach the early years like you are a resident in medical school
If you can, save work/life balance for later
Careful that you aren't taken advantage of by others in the firm who know you work well/hard/long, and advocate for appropriate compensation
Will differentiate you from other lawyers with similar years of experience
Legal field can be political
The show Suits is an exaggeration, but based upon some truth of how it is
Advocate for yourself
Old school expectations (e.g. lifetime loyalty to a firm)
Find the best fit for you
Become independent as soon as you can
Ask yourself what you would do if you didn't have more senior lawyers you could go to
Come up with your own/new ideas

Advice for lawyers in job searches

Closely tailor your resume to the job you are applying to
One page resume with no typos
If you are looking to switch practice areas, get out and meet people in the practice area you are wanting to move to

Rapid Fire Questions

One trait/characteristic you most want to see in an associate: be receptive to guidance
Key habit: hard work
Favorite app/tool: todoist
Favorite social distancing activity: coffee on the patio
Favorite legal movie: My Cousin Vinny

Thanks again to Matthew Myers for coming on the show!