When you start your career at a law firm, you’re joining as a junior associate. No matter how much experience or development you make at the firm, some senior associates and partners may never see you as more than that. Perspective is everything.
While you may still be thought of as the junior associate at your own firm, once you send your resume and deal sheet around, attorneys at other firms will see you for who you actually are. A rockstar candidate with partner potential. Your personality will be fresh and you may offer a unique set of skills to this new firm. Just because you’re not on the partner track at one firm, it does not mean you wouldn’t make partner at another one.
Your mindset is a very powerful thing. You’re perceived the same way as you think of yourself. You can change your mindset if you change your environment. My advice is not to just leave your firm because of the reasons I outlined above, but to be mindful of the way you’re perceived. And you’re smart.
Read the writing on the wall. If you get the sense that you’ll never be on the partner track at your current firm, it’s best to move on and “reinvent yourself” at a new firm. The fresh perspective brings new opportunities for growth and oftentimes, partnership.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…
It’s no secret that Florida has become a major financial center and in legal terms “a major market.”
Many large firms with offices down there have started to pay New York compensation(!) and are drawing a huge influx from Northeast talent.
With its big banks, tech companies, entrepreneurs & crypto companies, if you’ve ever considered moving there, now’s the time…
According to a recent “Above the Law,” article, many Biglaw firms are opening shops there including Kirkland & Ellis, Quinn Emanuel, King & Spalding and more.
Something to think about…
All other variables aside, could your chances of advancing be better in New York (a super saturated market) or Miami/Palm Beach (up and coming)?
My guess is if you have the opportunity to be a big fish in a smaller pond, you’re ultimately giving yourself a leg up, long-term.
Just some food for thought, but if I’ve gotten you thinking, please don’t hesitate to send me a message and we can see if a move to the Sunshine state makes sense for you.
When you start your career at a law firm, you’re joining as a junior associate. No matter how much experience or development you make at the firm, some senior associates and partners may never see you as more than that.
Perspective is everything. While you may still be thought of as the junior associate at your own firm, once you send your resume and deal sheet around, attorneys at other firms will see you for who you actually are….
A rockstar candidate with partner potential.
Your personality will be fresh and you may offer a unique set of skills to this new firm.
Just because you’re not on the partner track at one firm, it does not mean you wouldn’t make partner at another one.
Your mindset is a very powerful thing. You’re perceived the same way as you think of yourself. You can change your mindset if you change your environment. My advice is not to just leave your firm because of the reasons I outlined above, but to be mindful of the way you’re perceived.
And you’re smart. Read the writing on the wall.
If you get the sense that you’ll never be on the partner track at your current firm, it’s best to move on and “reinvent yourself” at a new firm. The fresh perspective brings new opportunities for growth and oftentimes, partnership.
Let me know what you think about the idea of partner mindset. Do you have it?
A funny story…
This is how I accidentally helped someone make partner. Allow me to explain.
Earlier in the summer I met a new candidate (currently counsel at a law firm) for coffee. He said, “I’m open to taking a few meetings, but if I get an offer I may take it back to my current firm.” “Alright,” I thought, “let’s see where this goes.” While I typically don’t advise going back to your current firm (you had wanted to leave for a reason), my job is to present great opportunities and the rest is up to you.
Here’s how it went down:
My candidate went through the interview process at a phenomenal firm with a great reputation. He subsequently got an offer, which included a very aggressive compensation package. In my opinion he would’ve been very successful at this new firm, as it was a great fit, but sometimes there’s more than one solution.
Fast forward and he decided to present the offer to his old firm. After several days of deliberation, his firm guaranteed him a partner position at the end of 2021. A rare occurrence, but an amazing result, nonetheless. Giving someone an ultimatum isn’t a “best practice” or something I typically recommend, but in this case, his firm was a great place to make partner and it worked out.
I’m happy to have been part of his success story and if I can recommend anything from this experience it’s that you should ALWAYS take the meeting.
From my perch, 2022 has not been the same as 2021…
While I wouldn’t consider myself to be an economist, my role enables me to obtain a pretty accurate pulse on the industry. That being said, it’s pretty clear that there’s a downturn happening even if we’re just using the financial markets as a reference point.
Strategically, what are your firm’s plans? What is your law firm doing to adjust / take advantage of the recession? I encourage you to stop and think about the answers to these questions:
- Is it business as usual at your firm?
- Are they cutting back on certain things?
- Are they being proactive and using this time to take advantage when others are fearful?
- Are they financially sound?
- Have you seen a difference in deal flow?
- Have you felt a difference in people’s attitudes?
Now’s the time to keep your eyes open and take a pulse of your firm. Some firms are using this time to their advantage to make strategic hires while others are using this time to make extra profit. It’s time to assess your firm and make sure that you are in the right spot.
