A day in the life of a lawyer is highly dependent on a lawyer’s practice area. It is not uncommon that lawyers work more than 40 hours a week, and the typical workday is not 8-5.
I have been practicing since 2008, and I currently work as a litigation attorney primarily focusing on insurance bad faith defense. I, along with several attorneys at the firm, represent insurance companies that have been sued for allegedly mishandling claims.
Every day can look differently, including tasks such as
- Drafting pleadings and brief and researching case law;
- Communicating with, reporting to and updating the client via correspondence or phone conferences;
- Meeting with witnesses at various locations;
- Reviewing documents relevant to the case to develop a trial strategy;
- Taking depositions or presenting a witness for deposition, including meeting a witness beforehand to prepare;
- Preparing for and attending Court hearings;
- Attending a Settlement Conference or mediation to negotiate a potential settlement between the parties; and
- Preparing for and attending trial.
No day looks exactly the same. For instance, one day, I might be meeting with a witness to prepare for a deposition. On another day, I might be drafting and researching a pleading in the office. Other days, I might be preparing for and attending court hearings. In addition, I am always fielding phone calls and other communications – mainly emails – with opposing counsel and clients. At the end of the day, the goal is to work towards a favorable resolution for the client.
It is a busy work schedule, and it has changed somewhat since the pandemic. We have been conducting more meetings and depositions virtually, and I believe the use of virtual conferences will continued to be used for the foreseeable future.
Working as a lawyer can be challenging and demanding career path, but it can also be rewarding and very interesting.
About Carrie McNeer
Carrie McNeer is of counsel in the Tulsa office of GableGotwals. Her practice focuses on defending corporate and individual clients in a wide variety of complex litigation in state and federal courts. Prior to joining the Firm, Carrie served as Senior Counsel in complex civil defense litigation, including medical malpractice, nursing home defense, dental malpractice, elevator maintenance, and premises liability. Carrie’s litigation practice includes advising clients in all areas of civil litigation from initial assignment to trial.Carrie graduated from law school from The University of Tulsa College of Law in 2008. During that time, Carrie served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Judge Russell P. Hass at the Tulsa County Courthouse. She received her undergraduate degree in Marketing in 2005 from The University of Tulsa.
