What I’ve Learned in My First Month at MMFLG

Tiffany Odom-Rodriquez

By Tiffany Odom-Rodriquez

My first month at Miles Mason Family Law Group as a pre-licensed first-year associate has been humbling and energizing.  Law school teaches you how to think, and the University of Memphis School of Law prepared me well, but practice teaches you how to serve—how to turn theory into clarity, empathy, and strategy for real people in life-changing situations.

A few lessons have already shaped my perspective about practicing law:

1. The law is important, and it’s not the only part of the job.

Family law is as much about listening as it is about litigating.  Clients don’t just need answers—they need to feel heard.  Sometimes the most valuable thing you can offer isn’t a statute or Supreme Court case, but reassurance that there is a path forward.  Clients need you to hold space, and there is a way to do that without drowning in all of it.  The ability to do that is a strength and privilege.

2. Systems save sanity.

Being organized is just as important as good writing, zealous advocacy, and hard work.  From intake to filings, clear communication and reliable workflows protect both clients and teams.  When systems work, everyone has more bandwidth for strategy and compassion.  Cases flow better.

3. Leadership starts with support.

I have always lived by this lesson, but my month at MMFLG has confirmed it––leadership is not about titles. It’s about being dependable and leading by example. Helping others meet deadlines, anticipate needs, and keep communication open builds trust and momentum in ways that ripple through the whole team.  Just like on the ball field, in the office, who is on your team dictates whether you win or lose.  No matter how good of an attorney you are, you can’t do it alone.

4. Growth happens in the gray.

No two cases are alike. No two clients are alike. Every day brings a new question that challenges me to think more critically, communicate more clearly, stay grounded in both law and humanity, and trust my instincts.

It’s been one month, and I can already tell this is the kind of work that will help me become the kind of attorney I want to be.  I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from such a skilled and dedicated team, and I am excited to really put it to work once I have my law license.