I was inspired to write this post after working with a 3rd year associate who was confused about whether to make a lateral move.  He said he felt stuck at his present firm.  He did not see an opportunity for upward mobility.  He was concerned because his ultimate goal was to make partner.  This is where I stepped in.  

I asked him a series of important questions about his current experience/firm, long-term goals, client development, current potential for a book of business, firm culture, and residence preferences.  I asked him about the matters on which he currently worked and those on his wish list.  I asked him specifics about the experience he wanted to get.  I was stunned to hear most of his answers were one of the following, “I don’t know.”  “I never thought about that.”  “It seems so far away.”  My response to him, “You cannot make partner at your current firm or any other firm without a game plan in place and it is clear that you do not have one.  Are you ready to make one with my assistance?”     

There are so many attorneys like this.  They go into work with a self-limiting mindset.  They do not understand how to turn a job into a fulfilling career they love.  Are you one of them?  You went to a great law school.  Your grades are excellent.  You landed a job at a top tier law firm.  You do great work.  But, you feel invisible, underutilized, or taken for granted.  You are watching those senior to you move through the ranks of junior associate to senior associate to counsel and then they hit a wall.  Some of your colleagues are asked to leave or made Of-Counsel.  Very few become Partner.  Why?  What’s going on?  They work hard.  They are good attorneys.  Is this going to happen to you?  Maybe.  Truthfully, probably if you do not start properly preparing a game plan for your future now.  Yes, even as a 3rd year associate, or more honestly . . . even before, you should be able to answer most of the questions in the second paragraph of this post. 

Many attorneys are so excited to land a job at a BigLaw firm that they lose focus on the big picture of their career path.  The money, the perks, the brilliance of their colleagues.  It is all intoxicating.  After all, BigLaw represents the pinnacle of the elite law firms and the elite attorneys.  I know.  I was there for years and I loved it!  But you need to be a certain type of person to thrive in BigLaw and you have to be at the right firm for you. 

 If you do not know how to make rain or cannot attract clients that can pay the hourly rates of attorneys at your present firm or are not aligned with the right partners . . . well, despite your pedigree and ability, you may be in danger.  It may not be today or tomorrow, but if things do not change and you cannot make the “right” kind of rain or align yourself with the right partners, around year 8, your career will stall.  The practice of law is amazing and if you position yourself correctly, one day you can become partner, if that is your goal.  More importantly, you will give yourself the greatest gift of all . . . fulfillment and independence. 

Through the proper guidance and making sure you are at the right firm for YOU, you will achieve your own personal definition of success.  It is just a matter of understanding how the process works and the environment that will enable you to be your professional best.  I can help.  If you are ready to start your professional journey, contact me.  I want to help you succeed!