How do you rebound from a big screw up? I am checking my work, and I brought it to relationship partner and clients’ attention, telling them to pause before they further act on my advice, but my advice is looking like I was very wrong. Bracing myself for reputation impact? Or are we allowed to be wrong and people roll with it?

New partner. Navigating this new world seemingly alone in a big law world.

I would do as you have done, keep professional so apologize but no groveling or self flagellation. Check in with the relationship partner and read their view - are they supportive? Critical? Blaming? Discuss how to approach the client again.

We all make mistakes, it happens. Your career isn’t over. But it’s not clear yet whether you burned a bridge with this client. If the client chooses not to work with you again, move on. Clients decide to change lawyers for all sorts of reasons so let it go.

OP, I can’t tell you it doesn’t matter and forget it because you don’t know that yet (or st least you haven’t told us that yet). However I know with 100% certainty that every lawyer screws up from time to time. You learn, become more humble and more sympathetic to those lower than you in the hierarchy and move on.

Been there. Done that. You’re doing the right thing. What happens will depend on your reaction to the problem. I have made several major screw ups like this over the years - no one remembers and my reputation is stellar. Keep your head down and work through it; know that you’re not alone! Edit: If you can ensure that the client isn’t billed for the mistaken work, that is super helpful.

This bowl is a really good idea and glad someone posted this. I have been dreading something like this happening ever since I got promoted and started brining in my own work with no safety net/partner there to clean up messes. But the fact is, it’s basically inevitable. It’s gonna happen to every single one of us. Nobody can go an entire career and this level and simply never make a mistake.

I know the senior partners above me also have fucked up and I’ve seen it happen. We are all human and it’s all in how we react to it.

Something I learned playing sports for my entire life, which may or may not be helpful depending on your background of course:

You can’t always win and you won’t always be at your best and you’re going to drop the ball sometimes. Period. Tom Brady has thrown over 200 interceptions in his career. Joe Montana threw 139 of them. Reggie jackson struck out over 2500 times.

The key is to take personal responsibility and not blame your teammates, and learn from the mistake. “Watch the film on it” or as military folks would say “do a good after action report” or as medical professionals say do a root cause analysis. Be honest with yourself and review and dissect everything you missed/did wrong so you don’t repeat it. And then tuck the insight away and otherwise have a short memory, forget all about it and go out there and execute perfectly on the very next play and one after that to build momentum back. This is just a really long 4 quarters and you’re not even at halftime. Long way to go to get the W and you will.

And don't forget those times when the client believes you screwed up (delivered the "wrong" answer, for example) and toom you off the team... it is the client's choice to engage the lawyer. Everyone makes a mistake. The saving grace is you called a halt on acting on you initial advice.

As hard as it is, you are taking the right path. We all make mistakes. Handling it in a professional manner is the key.

We're you wrong on the law or your analysis of the law? Or is it more like a tactic you thought was right no longer looks to be the best tactic?

The first one, you need to move swiftly, to be honest, show integrity and accountability. You also need to show some contrition, but not too much. We are human beings and fallible. Do what you can to minimize negative impact to the client. You probably need to talk to the general counsel of your law firm before doing anything. If you don't have one, talk to the ceo/chair of your firm. And, depending on severity, you may need to report to your malpractice carrier.

The second one may be less serious, but you need to think of the best way to disclose to the client with integrity and accountability.

In your case, I strongly believe you are on the right path.

Then, retrace your steps and try to think about what you might do differently in the future to avoid a similar error. Try to think in terms of: Not whose fault is this and how to we affix blame, but what did I learn? And how do I prevent a similar error going forward?

One more thing: You asked about rebounding.

What's done is done. Move past it. Learn from it, but don't look back. No need to remind anyone of it any time. You were accountable already; that phase is over.

Put the incident behind you. Truly.

I would have probably discussed with the relationship partner before falling on my sword, unless it was an emergency and you couldn’t get to the relationship partner first.

The relationship partner will usually have a good idea of how to go about managing it (and will have more experience doing so than you).

But, regardless: honestly, good people know that lawyers are human and humans make mistakes. Are they thrilled about it? No. But, usually mistakes in isolation don’t end your career or put you in real jeopardy. There’s usually incredible tolerance for conscientious people who are smart and work hard, but make occasional mistakes. Personally I find the most sophisticated clients and partners are the most tolerant of mistakes because they understand it is part of life and what we do. And I also find the people who are hardest on me in our behind the scenes conversations are my biggest backers within the firm.

But, if you happen to be in a rare environment where you are crucified — but you are hard working and smart…you will be fine in the long run and prove out the thesis for why it is a better strategy to be tolerant of mistakes.

So, either way, try to relax. I know it’s incredibly hard. But it’s hard because you care. So, try to peel yourself off the ceiling.

I was given two pieces of advice as a new lawyer:

1) You will make mistakes.

2) Most mistakes in law are fixable — or at least result in no lasting harm.

After nearly 20 years of practice, I’ve found both of those to be very true.

We see it as our job to be 100% right 100% of the time, but it’s not. At best, this is an aspirational goal and at worst it’s a burden that drags you down unnecessarily. We all make mistakes and as many have said, it comes down to how you deal with it. I second the advice that you need to tell everyone involved (as you’ve done) and push through it (as you are doing). Your firm should figure out some discount for the client and try to fix the mistake. The only thing I would add is that it’s better to be direct and blunt when discussing your mistake and don’t make excuses (based on your post it doesn’t sound like you would). Just look back to the last time someone else made a mistake that affected you and ask yourself what you wish they’d done. Finally, don’t punish yourself or engage in self doubt over this. Trust me, by this point in your career you have many more wins than losses. To use a sports analogy, put this one in the loss column and get ready for the next game.

Mistakes happen - try to learn and grow from this one.