To follow up, the overall theme when looking at elite firms, is that they all require working long & difficult hours. Firm culture will vary, but as you probably know, there are varying degrees to this. Some would say it depends upon the firm’s clients & others may also include that it depends upon the partner or partners you work for. One way to ascertain information about an individual firm’s culture is to ask friends & colleagues about their experiences there. Reputations also travel & are generally based on people’s experiences collectively. While I don’t advise listening to everything you hear, I don’t think you should ignore the “word on the street.”
I’ve worked with candidates who thrive in a more collaborative & easy-going culture. I’ve also represented candidates that truly enjoy a no-nonsense, aggressive, hard-charging work environment. If culture & work/life balance is at the TOP of your list I wouldn’t recommend starting at a vault ten firm. That’s a general statement but for the most part, it’s true. To figure out firm culture on your own, you can start by examining partner profits. Typically, the higher the partners’ profits, the more hours they work. Then you can consider the level of intensity & expectation of clients at those firms.
Finally, think about the more specialized firms or boutique firms. Many of them are known for their nicer culture and lifestyle hours. Regardless of the firm you choose, you’ll be spending the majority of your time working and it’s important to figure out what you need to thrive.
I originally met with a candidate in 2019 & made some good progress before March of 2020. We all know where this story is heading. It came to a complete stop during the shut down & throughout the spring of last year. By July, the market had opened up again & it looked positive and promising. One of the firms we spoke to was interested & was close to extending an offer. But at the last minute they changed their mind. Needless to say, it was devastating.
Fast forward several months & many phone calls and negotiations, this candidate received an equity partner offer with an impressive comp package. That being said, in hindsight, this experience was an emotional rollercoaster for both of us. While this may be frustrating, it’s also normal. My suggestion is to be patient & ultimately, the right door will open.
This story exemplifies why I love my job. I love people & enjoy getting to know them as we go through this process together. I also love making placements. I’m passionate about helping candidates land their dream jobs, regardless of the struggles we may face along the way. I’m very grateful & humbled to work with uniquely talented individuals.
A simple question that’s often overlooked. It’s important to sit down, reflect & take stock of your assets to evaluate how they align with your firm’s goals. Especially now, as the job market heats up & opportunities are abundant. Now’s the right time to ask yourself if your firm continues to be the right fit for you.
Is your firm supportive of business development? Is it a place that encourages lawyers to bring in new business? Is the firm in growth mode or are they satisfied with the current workflow? A supportive platform will allow you to build a book of business. That book of business will increase your value to the firm. If you have contacts & would like to leverage them to build a practice of your own, please make sure your firm is supportive. Think ahead, look up the ranks. Are the partners ahead of you managing existing relationships or have they brought in their own clients? What is the culture and expectations when it comes to business development? Is there a budget?
No matter where you are in your career, it’s important to know what your assets are. If it’s business development, make sure you’re at the right platform and if not, it’s never too late to change.
What’s more important in influencing someone’s perception of you: competence or confidence? A mix of both? I recently read an article by the Harvard Business Review titled, “To Seem More Competent, Be More Confident” & the key points struck me as powerful & share-worthy. Here are the main ideas from the article & I hope they inspire you to act more confidently because studies have shown that it TRULY pays off.
“If someone asks how you expect to perform, you should give a positive, confident response. A negative forecast may lead you to be perceived as distinctly less competent — no matter how well you actually perform.
Projecting confidence does lead to positive effects, but only when it is non-comparative…praising your competence seems to be fine as long as you do not claim that others are incompetent.
In order to convince others of your abilities, you should make it a habit to communicate that you are good at what you do — without any self-deprecation regarding your core competencies.”
So interesting, right? To summarize, if you demonstrate more confidence, others will perceive your abilities as stronger than if you’re negative about yourself. Practice accepting praise & praising yourself. You can’t afford not to!
As an attorney, how important is it to be a team player? Do you think that NOT being a team player may hinder your career growth?
Being a team player is similar to being a good leader. Many of the qualities that make a great leader are similar to those who work effectively on a team. Here are some of the qualities I believe may help you become a better asset for your team and in the long run, advance your career. Take a look at them, jot them down & do a little assessment to see where you are. Are there any areas that you can improve?
- COMMUNICATION: can you convey your message in a way that resonates positively with the members of your team?
- SELF AWARENESS: are you able to see how your actions affect others?
- VISION: can you see the bigger picture?
- OPEN MINDEDNESS: are you open to new ideas from different perspectives?
- DEPENDABILITY: how reliable are you on deadlines & tasks that help the team?
- COACHABILITY: how do you accept criticism/constructive advice?
If you’re a strong team player, you have a leg up on others who aren’t. Showcase your ability to work on a team & you will ultimately advance farther in the long run.
It all starts with a vision. A goal. A long-term plan. No one makes partner overnight or in a haphazard way. It takes careful planning, precise actions & is most successfully executed with the help of an experienced guide in the field with a strong handle on the market. In other words: me.
Here’s the story of a candidate I worked with over a number of years. Through collaboration, strategic planning & hard work, we made his dream into a reality.
In 2016, I was introduced to a 5th year attorney. He knew all along that he wanted to be an equity partner at a major law firm and to focus on a highly specific area. We built a relationship on trust and got to work. This candidate’s razor focused dream helped us carve out the steps he would take for long-term success. We secured multiple offers for him, which set him up for future success on the partner track.
Fast forward to today: he’s now a well respected equity partner at a top firm. He was recently made a practice group leader. Because of his vision, determination & the clarity of his goal, I never doubted his success.
Visualize your dreams, collaborate with an experienced guide and you will find yourself writing the same story.
