Troy shares some keys to client development, what to emphasize in a job interview, and the evolving oil and gas law practice.

Intro to Troy and his firm
Grew up in Houston, Texas A&M undergrad, Baylor Law, went to Harris Finley Bogle immediately
35 attorneys
Big focus on oil/gas industry (litigation, transactions, title, leases, real estate, banking)
New office in Parker County (Weatherford, TX) which also takes on some criminal and personal injury matters.

Oil/Gas Practice
prices aren't great, but doesn't seem to impact the litigation side as much as the transactional side
helps to be licensed in multiple states to accommodate clients with properties all over the country (in fact only 20% of his practice is in Tarrant County, much less than in the past)

Fort Worth
Loves everything about it
Downtown is booming
Stockshow and Rodeo
Stockyards
13th largest population in the nation (bigger than Boston/Seattle/Denver)
Has the big city amenities but small town feel
The legal community is close-knit;
you'll see someone nearly every time you walk through downtown
If the other side is represented by a Fort Worth law firm, you'll probably know them and have a relationship with them, which can help and make the practice more enjoyable
Dallas/Fort Worth might sometimes get lumped together, but they are very different.
It's important if you are applying to Fort Worth law firms to articulate why you want to be in Fort Worth.

Advice for young lawyers
Re: internal client development
treat senior associates and partners as your client.
Develop the relationship.
Learn about their cases.
Be eager to help
Re: outside client development
get involved in the community
build relationships
have a long-term outlook (associates aren't expected to keep themselves busy in the early years, but it starts now)
Not forced involvement - pick something you're interested in and get involved...raise your hand.
Know your law school classmates and stay in touch with them.
they can be a great source of referrals and assistance in your practice
Be proactive and think ahead
Don't just do the task that is assigned, look for other ways to help and anticipate what's needed next
Follow up
Read everything and know the documents and the case law, because the partner probably won't have time to do that. It might raise an issue or a strategy.

When job searching/interviewing
Grades can matter, so highlight the good and be ready to explain or mitigate the bad
Engagement is important
Enjoyable to work with
Desire for the long-term
Be yourself and want to contribute to the team
Prepare ahead of time to answer questions as to why you want the job...THIS IS NOT ASSUMED BY THE INTERVIEWER!

Work/Life Balance
Schedule flexibility is an underrated benefit of being a lawyer...take advantage of it!

Rapid Fire Questions
Character/Trait in an associate - work ethic and concern for end work product
Key habit - get done the hard thing first
Favorite app/tool - transcriptpad and goodreader on ipad; also iphonejd.com is a great resource
Legal movie - A Few Good Men