Tyler Topper is a partner with Burdett, Morgan, Williamson, & Boykin in Amarillo. Tyler talks about eminent domain, getting organized, and preparing for the interview. COVID-19 Update All staff/employees can work from home helps with lack of school/daycare Business clients are dealing with PPP loans, company policies, so employment lawyers are very busy Judges and legal community have done a good job working together to find solutions phone hearings Zoom hearings Hopes that going forward remote working can become more available Tyler's firm/practice Firm is 35 years old and is full-service Do everything except criminal and family law He practices in eminent domain and administrative law represents landowners exclusively when government or government authorized utility needs land to build out infrastructure, he helps landowners get compensated fairly and negotiates terms of any easement Small group that practice in the area so you develop relationships with most of the people on all sides of the issues High-speed rail project Amarillo He grew up in the Texas panhandle so it was home for him 200,000 population People are great Small legal community that allows you to build relationships with colleagues and opposing counsel; bar treats each other with respect Great place to raise a family Diverse economic base with multiple industries oil/gas farming/ranching government medical/health Diverse topography - hills/canyons/water Advice for lawyers Worked for two different partners as a young associate, and key lessons he learned were attention to detail and the business-side of practicing law Be organized translates into work product Bring work back to the partner finished (or very close to finished), and ask specific questions instead of general Don't be arrogant; always be willing to learn Don't bad mouth former employers Prioritize your health and taking care of yourself When they are hiring No typos Grammar/mistakes Personalize cover letters (not just changing the names) Highlight ties to the area Bad answer to the question why you want this job? "I'm just looking for a job"...need to show you want THIS job Be prepared for the interview; know something about the interviewers (if you don't know who your interviewers are going to be...ask! Shows you are getting prepared) Rapid Fire Questions Most important trait in an associate - dependable Key habit - organization Favorite app/tool - Excel Favorite social distancing activity - running Favorite legal movie - A Few Good Men