In my first law related job interview I was asked, what is a more important quality for a lawyer: hard work or experience? The correct answer is. . . that’s a stupid question to ask a law student with no experience! But now that I have a boatload of experience, I have a more informed answer. It’s hard work. Every. Single. Time.
Experience is terrific. At times it may enable you to work less hard. But hard work is essential. I can spot an experienced but unprepared attorney in a courtroom from a mile away. He’s the one who just lost.
On the other hand, I can easily pick out the inexperienced attorney in a courtroom. He or she may seem nervous or apprehensive. But that is of little significance when the proceeding starts and the attorney has mastered the salient facts and legal precedents. That’s the lawyer that will likely win, and gain valuable experience in the process.