I had been lucky enough to come on board with them just after graduation. A big part of that is because I graduated first in my class at Mesothelioma Lawyers Law School (which was named after the town rather than the profession, though of course they were the same). The top law firms all aggressively pursued the best talent, so it really paid to stand out early by graduating near the top of your class.

But even though I was at the very top, there was still no guarantee that I would be able to work anywhere. If you wanted to work at one of the big mesothelioma law firms, a great legal mind wasn't enough. You had to prove yourself to the big dogs. They wanted to get to know you up close and personal. They wanted to see that you had what it takes. They wanted to know that you were one of them.

Right before graduation, I had been through an extensive series of interviews with all the higher-ups and most of the mid-level associates at Dewey, Cheatem & Howe. Despite my credentials, nothing was certain. These guys hand-picked everyone who would be working at the firm, at all levels. Becoming an associate here was like joining the 33rd degree of the Freemasons.

Although they were actively recruiting me and they showed great interest, I knew this was just an illusion. I was being tested. I was the one who had to prove myself to them. They didn't have to take anyone who wasn't up to their standards, and they set the bar awfully high.

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