Day in the Life of an Associate Attorney: Kansas City, MO
Day in the Life of a Litigation Associate
By Aisha Khan
Associate Attorney:
2007-present
A day in the life of a litigation associate at Husch Blackwell Sanders varies from day to day, which keeps the practice interesting and challenging. On any given day, I may be working on a complex anti-trust matter, a medical malpractice case or a business dispute between parties. Due to this variety, I am involved in some cases where there are several attorneys on a file and others where I am the only attorney.
In my opinion, what really sets Husch Blackwell Sanders apart is the responsibility that associates have at the firm. It is not unusual for an entry level associate to be actively working on all aspects of a case, from participating in conference calls with the client to making arguments at court hearings. The firm allows associates to handle as much responsibility as they would like and as is appropriate with guidance and direction from more experienced lawyers. The open door policy at Husch Blackwell Sanders fosters this environment of professional growth from day one.
As a result, a typical day for me may involve drafting discovery, doing document review, or having a conference call with the client to discuss strategy of a case. My day will usually start with an assessment of what tasks take priority based on a running list of deadlines that I keep. In addition to drafting discovery and preparing for motions, litigation would not be complete without conducting research. Every pertinent issue requires research on the front end so that we can identify a strategy to deal with these issues in a manner which will deliver the best possible result for our client. Accordingly, researching legal issues is part of my day on a regular basis.
I am also a member of the firm's Diversity Committee and actively involved in the firm's commitment to ensure that Husch Blackwell Sanders continues to be a diverse and welcoming workplace. As such, I participate in a diversity committee meeting or meeting with one of the various bar associations in Kansas City. Although I have been here for only a short period of time, I am already actively involved in committees that affect the future of the firm.
A very important aspect of my day at Husch Blackwell Sanders is interacting with my colleagues. The firm atmosphere is very friendly and no day would be complete without chatting with other associates to catch up on what is happening in our personal and professional lives. The people are what make Husch Blackwell Sanders a great place to work.