I recently created a chatbot (based on my e-books, which are free on my LinkedIn profile, and 10 years of my LinkedIn posts) for young lawyers named Ask Frank, which they can use to ask questions about the profession, their careers, and the practice.
You can find the chatbot here.
Here’s a prompt I entered into my chatbot, followed by the response. I hope you visit the chatbot, use it, and share the link with your friends and colleagues.
How can a young lawyer plan for 2026?
Your 2026 Annual Plan (Young Lawyer Edition)
A simple, realistic, high-impact roadmap you can execute week by week.
1. Start With an Owner Mindset (Q1 Focus)
(Based on Be Your Own CEO + The Associate’s Handbook)
Shift from “I do the tasks assigned” to “I run a mini-business inside the firm.” Ask:
Your 2026 CEO Questions
- What services do I provide? (e.g., research, drafting, hearings, client comms)
- Who are my internal clients? (partners, senior associates, paralegals)
- What does success look like for each?
- Where are the gaps in speed, quality, or communication?
Action Plan
- Schedule 3 kickoff meetings in January:
- “What does great look like from me this year? What should I do more/less of?”
- Build a personal KPI sheet: turnaround time, zero-defect proofreading, proactive updates, and internal client satisfaction.
- Commit to a weekly review: what went well / what to refine.
2. Master the Ask & Communication (Q1–Q4)
(See The Associate Whisperer + The Associate’s Handbook)
Make clarity your superpower.
Use a standard script when receiving assignments:
- “What’s the deliverable you want?”
- “Who is the audience?”
- “What’s the deadline? Any soft vs. hard deadlines?”
- “What would ‘overdoing it’ look like?” (Partners love this one.)
- “What similar work product can I model?”
For your own updates:
- Keep partners and clients from wondering.
- Use short, structured emails: issue → status → next steps → what you need.
3. Build Speaking, Writing, and Presence Skills (Q1–Q4)
(See Own the Room, Getting Published for Lawyers, and From Law School to Litigator)
Speaking:
Take Frank’s “open mic night” guidance seriously — find low-stakes reps.
- Volunteer to present internally.
- Give a 10-minute “lunch & learn.”
- Join a local bar committee and ask to introduce a panelist.
Writing & Thought Leadership:
- Aim for one publication per quarter — even short LinkedIn articles count.
- Use the Getting Published framework: idea → angle → outline → 750-word draft → pitch.
Presence:
- Practice the Own the Room triad: stance, eye contact, and pace.
- Record yourself once a month and refine one micro-skill at a time.
4. Become AI-Fluent — Not Just a User (Q1–Q4)
Frank’s commentary repeatedly stresses that AI fluency is a differentiator, and early adopters will be the high performers.
Your 2026 AI Plan
- Block 2 hours/week for experimentation.
- Build three AI playbooks by March:
- Litigation workflow (summaries, deposition prep, RFP responses)
- Writing workflow (brief editing, style cleanup, outline drafting)
- Efficiency workflow (email drafts, research checklists, task triage)
Necessary: always keep the person-in-the-loop principle in mind. AI enhances you; it does not replace your judgment.
Bonus: Track the tasks where you save 20–40% time and share them with partners.
5. Build Your Network and Reputation (Q2–Q4)
(See LinkedIn for Lawyers, Attorney Marketing 101, Be Your Own CEO)
Simple weekly habits
- Comment insightfully on three posts.
- Connect with three new practitioners (outside your firm).
- Share one helpful thing per week (case insight, checklist, article).
Monthly habit
- Attend one live or virtual event and meet two new lawyers.
- Follow up with a short “great meeting you” message.
Quarterly habit
- Ask 2–3 senior lawyers for a 20-minute mentorship conversation.
- Offer value back: a summary of AI tools, research updates, or relevant intel.
6. Practice-Level Skill Building (Q1–Q4)
(See From Law School to Litigator, Training Your Law Firm Associates)
Focus on the highest ROI skills:
- Writing tight, clear, short briefs.
- Preparing partners for hearings with “hooks” and key themes.
- Understanding how judges think.
- Managing paralegals and assistants with accountability (your work is yours).
2026 Skill Milestones
- Q1: Master motion drafting workflow.
- Q2: Handle your first argument or deposition segment.
- Q3: Run a case calendar independently.
- Q4: Own a file (with supervision).
7. Build Grit, Confidence, and Resilience (Always-On)
(See Motivate Yourself, Confessions of a Latino Lawyer)
Much of Frank’s commentary reinforces the “grit at the inflection point” idea — most lawyers stop when things get hard; winners push through.
Daily mental practices
- Keep a “done list” to remind yourself of real progress.
- Reflect weekly on small wins.
- Ask for feedback quarterly — don’t wait for reviews.
When overwhelmed:
Use the CEO reset question: “What is the one next action that moves the ball?”
8. Plan Your Year Like a Professional (Q4 Before 2026 + Quarterly Refreshes)
Annual Goal Buckets
- Skills – what will you be meaningfully better at by Dec. 31?
- Relationships – who are your 10 people to grow with?
- Visibility – where will you speak, publish, or lead?
- Efficiency – what systems will you streamline (AI, templates, workflows)?
- Well-being – what guardrails will keep you steady?
Quarterly Planning Ritual
- Review goals.
- Identify three must-wins for the next 90 days.
- Simplify everything else.
A Sample 2026 Roadmap
Q1 (Jan–Mar)
- Clarify expectations with partners.
- Build AI playbooks.
- Publish one short article.
- Present internally once.
Q2 (Apr–Jun)
- Take on a hearing, deposition segment, or client presentation.
- Attend one conference or virtual seminar.
- Expand LinkedIn presence.
Q3 (Jul–Sep)
- Lead a small project/case component.
- Publish article #2.
- Build accountability systems with support staff.
Q4 (Oct–Dec)
- Set 2027 goals based on your momentum.
- Conduct annual review with two mentors.
- Document key wins + client value provided.
Frank Ramos is a partner at Goldberg Segalla in Miami, where he practices commercial litigation, products, and catastrophic personal injury. You can follow him on LinkedIn, where he has about 80,000 followers.
The post My Chatbot For Young Lawyers: ‘Ask Frank’ appeared first on Above the Law.
I recently created a chatbot (based on my e-books, which are free on my LinkedIn profile, and 10 years of my LinkedIn posts) for young lawyers named Ask Frank, which they can use to ask questions about the profession, their careers, and the practice.
You can find the chatbot here.
Here’s a prompt I entered into my chatbot, followed by the response. I hope you visit the chatbot, use it, and share the link with your friends and colleagues.
How can a young lawyer plan for 2026?
Your 2026 Annual Plan (Young Lawyer Edition)
A simple, realistic, high-impact roadmap you can execute week by week.
1. Start With an Owner Mindset (Q1 Focus)
(Based on Be Your Own CEO + The Associate’s Handbook)
Shift from “I do the tasks assigned” to “I run a mini-business inside the firm.” Ask:
Your 2026 CEO Questions
- What services do I provide? (e.g., research, drafting, hearings, client comms)
- Who are my internal clients? (partners, senior associates, paralegals)
- What does success look like for each?
- Where are the gaps in speed, quality, or communication?
Action Plan
- Schedule 3 kickoff meetings in January:
- “What does great look like from me this year? What should I do more/less of?”
- Build a personal KPI sheet: turnaround time, zero-defect proofreading, proactive updates, and internal client satisfaction.
- Commit to a weekly review: what went well / what to refine.
2. Master the Ask & Communication (Q1–Q4)
(See The Associate Whisperer + The Associate’s Handbook)
Make clarity your superpower.
Use a standard script when receiving assignments:
- “What’s the deliverable you want?”
- “Who is the audience?”
- “What’s the deadline? Any soft vs. hard deadlines?”
- “What would ‘overdoing it’ look like?” (Partners love this one.)
- “What similar work product can I model?”
For your own updates:
- Keep partners and clients from wondering.
- Use short, structured emails: issue → status → next steps → what you need.
3. Build Speaking, Writing, and Presence Skills (Q1–Q4)
(See Own the Room, Getting Published for Lawyers, and From Law School to Litigator)
Speaking:
Take Frank’s “open mic night” guidance seriously — find low-stakes reps.
- Volunteer to present internally.
- Give a 10-minute “lunch & learn.”
- Join a local bar committee and ask to introduce a panelist.
Writing & Thought Leadership:
- Aim for one publication per quarter — even short LinkedIn articles count.
- Use the Getting Published framework: idea → angle → outline → 750-word draft → pitch.
Presence:
- Practice the Own the Room triad: stance, eye contact, and pace.
- Record yourself once a month and refine one micro-skill at a time.
4. Become AI-Fluent — Not Just a User (Q1–Q4)
Frank’s commentary repeatedly stresses that AI fluency is a differentiator, and early adopters will be the high performers.
Your 2026 AI Plan
- Block 2 hours/week for experimentation.
- Build three AI playbooks by March:
- Litigation workflow (summaries, deposition prep, RFP responses)
- Writing workflow (brief editing, style cleanup, outline drafting)
- Efficiency workflow (email drafts, research checklists, task triage)
Necessary: always keep the person-in-the-loop principle in mind. AI enhances you; it does not replace your judgment.
Bonus: Track the tasks where you save 20–40% time and share them with partners.
5. Build Your Network and Reputation (Q2–Q4)
(See LinkedIn for Lawyers, Attorney Marketing 101, Be Your Own CEO)
Simple weekly habits
- Comment insightfully on three posts.
- Connect with three new practitioners (outside your firm).
- Share one helpful thing per week (case insight, checklist, article).
Monthly habit
- Attend one live or virtual event and meet two new lawyers.
- Follow up with a short “great meeting you” message.
Quarterly habit
- Ask 2–3 senior lawyers for a 20-minute mentorship conversation.
- Offer value back: a summary of AI tools, research updates, or relevant intel.
6. Practice-Level Skill Building (Q1–Q4)
(See From Law School to Litigator, Training Your Law Firm Associates)
Focus on the highest ROI skills:
- Writing tight, clear, short briefs.
- Preparing partners for hearings with “hooks” and key themes.
- Understanding how judges think.
- Managing paralegals and assistants with accountability (your work is yours).
2026 Skill Milestones
- Q1: Master motion drafting workflow.
- Q2: Handle your first argument or deposition segment.
- Q3: Run a case calendar independently.
- Q4: Own a file (with supervision).
7. Build Grit, Confidence, and Resilience (Always-On)
(See Motivate Yourself, Confessions of a Latino Lawyer)
Much of Frank’s commentary reinforces the “grit at the inflection point” idea — most lawyers stop when things get hard; winners push through.
Daily mental practices
- Keep a “done list” to remind yourself of real progress.
- Reflect weekly on small wins.
- Ask for feedback quarterly — don’t wait for reviews.
When overwhelmed:
Use the CEO reset question: “What is the one next action that moves the ball?”
8. Plan Your Year Like a Professional (Q4 Before 2026 + Quarterly Refreshes)
Annual Goal Buckets
- Skills – what will you be meaningfully better at by Dec. 31?
- Relationships – who are your 10 people to grow with?
- Visibility – where will you speak, publish, or lead?
- Efficiency – what systems will you streamline (AI, templates, workflows)?
- Well-being – what guardrails will keep you steady?
Quarterly Planning Ritual
- Review goals.
- Identify three must-wins for the next 90 days.
- Simplify everything else.
A Sample 2026 Roadmap
Q1 (Jan–Mar)
- Clarify expectations with partners.
- Build AI playbooks.
- Publish one short article.
- Present internally once.
Q2 (Apr–Jun)
- Take on a hearing, deposition segment, or client presentation.
- Attend one conference or virtual seminar.
- Expand LinkedIn presence.
Q3 (Jul–Sep)
- Lead a small project/case component.
- Publish article #2.
- Build accountability systems with support staff.
Q4 (Oct–Dec)
- Set 2027 goals based on your momentum.
- Conduct annual review with two mentors.
- Document key wins + client value provided.
Frank Ramos is a partner at Goldberg Segalla in Miami, where he practices commercial litigation, products, and catastrophic personal injury. You can follow him on LinkedIn, where he has about 80,000 followers.
The post My Chatbot For Young Lawyers: ‘Ask Frank’ appeared first on Above the Law.
