“In My Last Firm…” — Why It Doesn’t Always Land Well

If you’ve ever joined a new law firm, you’ve probably caught yourself saying,
“In my last firm, we did it like this…”  

I catch myself saying it too.

It seems harmless, maybe even helpful. But here’s the hard truth: that phrase often lands the wrong way. Many new team members and associate attorneys don’t realize why no one is listening—or why the firm owner may seem increasingly irritated.

It’s not that your experience isn’t valuable. It’s that how you share it matters.

Why “In My Last Firm” Can Be a Problem

Most firm owners don’t care about how things were done at your last job. Truly—they don’t.

What they care about is:
- What works for their firm
- Whether you can follow the systems already in place
- How your ideas solve real problems in their business

It's kind of like dating a new person and constantly saying ‘with my last boyfriend we used to go here, we used to do this, we used to…’.  At some point, your new date is going to think and possibly say ‘well if it’s so great go be with them’.  It’s context that isn’t needed and a distraction.

And here’s the kicker: constantly saying “In my last firm…” can actually discredit you. It makes you sound insecure—like you don’t have your own opinion or problem‑solving skills, and that you’re relying on someone else’s way of doing things instead of bringing your own thoughtful contributions.

Often, the phrase shows up in two ways:

1. As an Excuse
   
   Sometimes, it’s used to justify why a process wasn’t followed:
   “Oh, I did it this way because in my last firm, that’s how we handled it.”
   
   Here’s the thing: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) vary from firm to firm for a reason. Every law firm is different, with its own systems, culture, and priorities. Following your new firm’s SOPs is crucial to your success.
   
   If you have a better idea, don’t override the system—offer it as a thoughtful suggestion instead.
2. As a Suggestion That Misses the Mark
   
   Suggestions are good. Owners want team members who think critically. But simply saying:
   “In my last firm, we sent clients a list of questions before meetings.”
   
   …is unlikely to inspire change. It can feel like a comparison—or even competition—rather than a helpful idea.

How to Share Your Ideas in a Better Way

The difference is framing. You don’t need to abandon the valuable experience you bring—you just need to present it so it’s relevant and solution-oriented.

For example, instead of:
“In my last firm, we sent out questions to clients before a design meeting.”

Say:
“I think sending clients questions before a design meeting might help them come prepared to make decisions. This could reduce the number of clients who need a second design meeting, which is straining our capacity.”

See the difference? You’re not just sharing what your old firm did—you’re showing how it could improve results here and now.

The Bottom Line

Your past experience is gold. The delivery just needs to shine, too.

So before saying, “In my last firm…”, pause and ask:
- Does this idea solve a current problem?
- Can I explain how it will improve efficiency, client experience, or results?
- Am I framing it as collaboration, not comparison?

When you do, you’ll find your ideas are welcomed—not brushed aside.