Taylor Carnes

Smith & Vinson Law Firm

How did you get your job?

I was offered this job through a family friend. He is a criminal defense attorney in Austin and has known my extended family since childhood. He has been talking to me throughout the year, asking about grades and giving tips on how to survive law school. After my first semester grades came through, he offered me a chance to work for him this summer.

What is the most surprising thing you learned at your job?

The most surprising thing I learned in my first two weeks was that despite all the knowledge and teaching obtained during law school, most attorneys enter the work force without a single clue of how to practice in their given field.

What is the most valuable thing you learned at your job?

The most valuable thing I learned at Smith & Vinson was that most lawyers do not expect us to be perfect in the beginning. They understand failure and only ask that you be upright, own up to your mistakes, and learn how to better yourself through them. Now, I may have been at a more lenient firm, but I am grateful I was at a place where I was allowed to fail and not be afraid to try new things.