On Saying No — And Why It Matters
Early in my career, I thought success meant always saying yes. Yes to more work, yes to off-scope requests, yes to everything. But recently, I faced a situation where a client asked for something outside our remit — something that actually carried legal risks. As a junior associate, pushing back was intimidating. Still, I flagged it to leadership instead of trying to “figure it out.”
The takeaway? Boundaries exist for a reason. Upholding them protects the client, our firm, and my own integrity. Turns out, saying “no” (or at least, “let’s rethink this”) can be the most professional move you make.