Mary Kate Hogan Writes for Law360’s “Law School's Missed Lessons” on Practical Problem Solving
Mary Kate Hogan, a St. Louis-based partner in Quarles & Brady’s Business Law Practice Group, wrote an article for Law360’s “Law School's Missed Lessons” series. The series offers advice from attorneys on navigating real-world aspects of legal practice that often are overlooked in law school.
In the article, Hogan says law school teaches students how to spot issues but does not necessarily prepare students to problem-solve those issues. Hogan points out that the issue spotting skills that are taught in law school are still important as they can be the first step in identifying an issue but providing a solution to the issue, can be tricky and take time to learn how to solve.
Hogan wrote that collaborative working sessions with her colleagues are not only a useful tool to solve a client’s problem but also can be a rewarding experience as they can solidify strong relationships among members of legal and business teams.
An excerpt:
Law schools famously teach law students how to issue spot but do not necessarily prepare students to problem-solve. As a practicing attorney, all of my clients want to partner with a problem solver, not someone who can just expertly list out the risks associated with a certain path.
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Clients want lawyers who add value, and we all value solutions to our problems. Issue spotting is a necessary skill when practicing law, but it is just the first step on the road to becoming a trusted partner for your clients.
Even when you cannot provide a solution that meets all the client's stated goals, clients will appreciate your willingness to partner with them in trying to meet their strategic goals in a way that will keep them moving forward.
Ask for information. Clarify the goals. Provide solutions. You may not always answer the exact question asked, but you will provide much more value for your client and a more rewarding relationship for everyone involved.