A morning of leadership activities, an introduction to the history of Elon University and words of wisdom about the legal profession from a Raleigh attorney highlighted the final day of orientation for new students at Elon University School of Law Friday, Aug. 17. Students visited the university’s main campus in Alamance County for the day, which concluded with a reception at Maynard House, the home of Elon President Leo M. Lambert.
Elon’s Center for Leadership guided the class of 107 students through a variety of exercises in the morning designed to promote teamwork and leadership in a group setting. After lunch, students heard a presentation from President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley ’46 about the history of Elon. Danieley served as president from 1957 to 1973 and continues to teach on the chemistry faculty.
Orientation concluded with a presentation on professionalism by Roger Smith, Sr., right, a partner with the Raleigh firm of Tharrington Smith, LLP. Smith outlined four simple career management rules for lawyers to keep in mind:
- Don’t drink coffee with your client–“Keep yourself emotionally and physically apart from your client,” Smith said. “If you’re too close, it hurts too much to give the client bad news or give a realistic assessment of the circumstances.”
- Drink coffee with your colleagues–Talking with others in the legal profession “helps you avoid getting lost and keeps you in touch with reality,” Smith said.
- Drink coffee alone–“Take time for yourself and to examine yourself,” Smith said. Burnout will be the result “if you make every case a life and death proposition.”
- Drink wine with your loved ones–“Make time for the important people in your life,” Smith said. “Let there always be people in your life who matter beyond measure.”
The first-year students were joined by law school administrators and faculty for a reception at Maynard House, hosted by President Lambert and his wife, Laurie, to wrap up the week’s orientation schedule. Classes are scheduled to begin Monday, Aug. 20.