From Newsroom to Courtroom: Max Massey’s Journey from TV Reporter to Attorney

In this episode of The Effective Lawyer, Zinda Law Group CEO and founder Jack Zinda is joined by Associate Attorney Max Massey as they discuss Max’s unique journey from TV reporter to attorney.

Discussed in this Episode:

How being on television can help you in the courtroom
Max’s transition into law
Finding your motivation
How to excel as a reporter and lawyer
Advantages of being a professional before becoming a lawyer

How Being on Television Can Help You in the Courtroom

Max talks about the importance of being good at public speaking and how being a TV reporter helped him gain confidence. As a reporter, you often speak with people who are having some of the worst days of their lives. These experiences can help you understand how to talk with people empathetically and give you tools to explain their stories before ever entering a courtroom.

Sink or Swim

When starting out in any career with a public speaking element, sometimes it’s better to be put out there before you are 100% ready than to wait until the perfect moment and allow your nerves to get the better of you. Max and Jack both recount stories of times when they were thrown into situations and had to sink or swim.

Max’s Transition into Law

As Max’s television reporter career progressed, he often found himself wondering why they didn’t have someone on the team with a law degree. They would often have to find guest experts to weigh in on issues and Max thought that it would be easier if someone on the staff could be that expert. Eventually, he was faced with the choice between climbing the ladder to become an anchor or commit to law school.

Finding Your Motivation

Balancing school and a job can be overwhelming, so how did Max do it? Make a pre-itemized list, create a contract with yourself, and hold yourself accountable. Max excelled in school and was a standout on the negotiations team.

How to Excel as a Reporter and Lawyer: Simplicity

Max lays out how he simplifies the message he’s trying to convey. You may only have 60-90 seconds on the news to explain the story, so challenging yourself to simplify the story as much as possible while still getting the point across is an excellent practice.

Advantages of Being a Professional Before Becoming a Lawyer

Having a foundation of work professionalism is so important for the transition into law. It’s one thing to understand law, but the soft skills that are gained by being in a professional environment are invaluable.

You can reach Jack at:

jack@zindalaw.com
512-246-2224