Etahjayne Harris, L'18

As part of our spotlight on business law careers, we’ve invited Etahjayne Harris to share herexperience. Etahjayne is a Richmond Law graduate from the classof 2018 who now works as a business litigator at McGuireWoods LLP.

Can you describe your career path since graduating from Richmond Law?

Following my graduation from Richmond Law in 2018, I joined McGuireWoods LLP in Richmond as an Associate in the Products, Environmental, and Mass Torts Litigation Group.

What type of law do you practice now?

I practice Products Liability Litigation. Most of my cases involve claims against automotive manufacturers and medical device manufacturers.

Can you describe a typical work day? What are the common tasks that junior lawyers do in your practice?

In my experience, each work day is different depending on the needs of the cases I am working on. Some typical junior associate duties involve legal research and memos, document review, deposition preparation, and case management.

How can students prepare for this practice? 

Students can prepare for private/corporate practice by taking law school courses that involve developing practical/hands-on training. For example, as a 3L, I enrolled in the Family Law Litigation Clinic which allowed me to develop client service skills.

Any specific tips for breaking into this field?
Networking, networking, networking. Excellent networking skills will open more doors for you than just good grades alone.

Thanks, Etahjayne, for sharing your experience! Thanks also to Jessica Rooke, a Richmond Law & Business Forum student board member who arranged this interview.