Spring has sprung! Along with the return of the Toronto Blue Jays, longer days, and patio season, it’s also time for spring cleaning.

The under-representation of women on corporate boards has been a hot topic in the media lately. In thinking about this issue, it struck me that one way women (and men, for that matter) can build relevant board-level experience is to act as a director for a not-for-profit organization.

Sometimes I forget a person’s name within five minutes of meeting them. I also forget to pick up my dry cleaning, but I’ll save that for another time. This month, I was determined to research and implement some strategies for better name recall.

Last week I experienced a career milestone — my first reported trial decision. Daniels v. Canada is a 175-page constitutional law decision about the federal government’s jurisdiction over Métis and non-status Indians in Canada. The trial was heard in May and June 2011.

Thinking back to this time last year, I’m blown away by all the experience I’ve gained in such a short time. Despite the “trial by fire,” I’ve actually really enjoyed my first year of practice.

Last month, I spent a terrific weekend in Collingwood, Ont., at the bi-annual Fall Forum run by The Advocates’ Society for litigators up to 12 years of practice.

Working as a new lawyer is hard enough without having to strategize about developing business. The good news, I’m told, is business development should be fun or you’re not doing it right.

For new lawyers, business development is pretty daunting. How are we to drum up business and make a name for ourselves when we’re totally occupied with learning the ropes?

When dealing with opposing counsel, suppress your urge to e-mail. Just pick up the phone. I heard this advice in the first month of my practice. After following it for the past 10 months, I’m officially a believer.

I had dinner with three friends from law school this past week. One of my friends was in a bit of a rut, as she had made a mistake on an important file the night before. Her superiors were very understanding and the error was quickly rectified, but she worried that she could have handled the whole situation better.