1 L.A. PUB. INT. L.J. 325

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LETTER TO A YOUNG PUBLIC INTEREST ATTORNEY*
Paula D. Pearlman

          I applaud your choice of becoming a public interest attorney. I have had an incredibly meaningful and productive career. I have always loved my profession as I see it as a tool for social change and as a means to increase the amount of justice that exists in our society (if it can be quantified).

I have a few reflections for you as you begin your career.

          1.     ASK QUESTIONS. Really, don’t pretend you know everything because you don’t and ultimately you may harm your clients by acting like you do. When you ask questions it demonstrates a curiosity and excitement about your work, and signifies that you are an active learner. (More about that below.) Of course, you should have more than a vague idea about your issue, and ask for some guidance rather than have someone do your thinking for you. And don’t wait too long to ask questions as you will be wasting precious time on trying to determine even where to start to look for the answer.

* For complete letter, please download the PDF.