Category Archives: career development

What to expect when you’re expecting to make partner

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Not everyone comes to a big law firm wanting to be a partner.  In fact, many associates decide to work at a law firm for the pay and the prestige – two things big law firms can offer.  After a couple of years, burn-out tends to set in and associates begin looking for a new career. However, there are those associates who are interested in nothing more than to make partner.  They’re on a path and won’t stop until they reach the top.   What can these associates expect?  The American Law Journal recently conducted a study about this topic, and the results may be surprising.

If you’re a woman, the deck may be stacked against you

While women are making some headway in the partner world, there is still a long way to go.  “Women work just as hard as men, but are overlooked many times for partner,” said Delia Swan, president of Swan Legal Search.  “It’s amazing that this is still happening in 2012, but that’s the sad reality.  Certainly, there are many more women partners than there were 30 years ago, but the numbers (of men and women) aren’t yet equal.”

Dedicate a decade (at least) to your partner goal

A recent study found that about it takes an average of 10 years to become a partner at a big law firm.  Of course, some attorneys make it in less time while others take longer.  “In every firm, a lawyer needs to prove herself worthy of partnership,” said Swan.  “There are so many different ways that the firm will be testing the attorney, but mostly it will rely upon hours billed, revenue generated for the firm and dedication to the job.  Attorneys on the partner track quickly learn that making the firm top priority at all times will certainly help on the rise to the top.”

Get ready to make money – for the firm

Most firms are looking for someone who can be a money-maker.  A partner’s salary is high, and the expense needs to be justified.  The more money an associate can bring to the firm, the more money other partners are willing to give.  Therefore, bringing cases can be huge help when an associate is looking for partnership.  “In most cases, it’s not enough just to be a great lawyer,” Swan said.  “The firms are looking for more than that.  They want to know that an attorney can support his own salary and still provide for the firm.  This is crucial.”

Be prepared for more of the same:  crazy billable hours

If an associate achieves the partner goal, she should be prepared to bill like crazy.  In many cases, being named as a partner is just the beginning to the hours and dedication expected.  This is one mountain that, at the top, presents another mountain.  An associate should be prepared to work just as hard as ever, if not harder.  There’s no cruising when it comes to Big Law partners.  The fun has only just begun…

 

5 things you MUST do before getting your resume ready for a lateral move

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You know you’re ready for a new legal opportunity.  The firm you’re currently in just isn’t working, and you need to think strategically about a lateral move.  Congratulations!  We’re happy that you’ve made the decision, but now comes the hard part: creating the strategy.  In order to make a successful and fulfilling move, you must get a few things together before you officially start the “job search.”

  1. Make sure you know what you want.  Do you want to stay in the same practice area or switch?  What type of law firm environment are you looking for?  Do you want to try for a position at biglaw, a firm with only a few attorneys or something in the middle?  This step is absolutely crucial when thinking about making a move.  Once you’re focused on the practice area and the type of firm, things will start moving in the right direction.
  2. Sell yourself.  What can you offer a firm?  To make a successful lateral move, you’ve got to start thinking like a law firm.  Why would they want to hire you?  What can you provide for the firm that is above and beyond other lawyers?  Write down your “unique selling proposition” and really edit it into one succinct, but powerful, sentence.  Make sure to include this in your cover letter or interview.
  3. Start taking steps before you talk to a firm.  Once you know what you’re looking for and what you can offer, start moving in that direction on your own.  Don’t wait for a firm to come in and sweep you off of your feet.  Take proactive steps and good things will come!  Email your family, friends, ex-classmates, former co-workers and anyone else who will read your message, and let them know exactly what you’re looking for and what makes you perfect for that position.  Get active on LinkedIn and connect with people.  Remember, getting a job (particularly at the partner level) is primarily about relationships.  The more people with whom you have a relationship, the better your odds of landing your dream position.
  4. Network.  It’s a dirty word for most attorneys, but it’s the way that most people hear about new opportunities.  Get out there and speak with fellow attorneys.  Let them know what you’re looking for and what you can offer a firm.  Chances are, you’ll hear about a few positions that may work out for you!
  5. Get all of your successes on paper.  A resume is great, but even more impressive to a law firm is having a list of your successes. Do you have a book of business, any published cases, particularly interesting “wins”?  All of these things speak volumes about your ability, and your successes let a law firm know what they can expect from you.

Now that you’ve got everything together, it’s time for the job hunt.  Of course, that’s where we can help!  Please contact us today to hear about job opportunities and how we can help connect you with the right firm.

Things are looking up!

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A new report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that legal jobs are up!  It’s the lift we in the legal market have been looking for for quite some time.  What does this mean for you?  It means it’s time to polish off the resume and get out there!

You’ve seen all of our tips for a great resume and tips for a great interview.  Now it’s time to put these into play.  Here are a few things to keep in mind in this new marketplace. (It’s a bit different than the last time you were “out there,” particularly for partners.)

1.     Be prepared to answer a lot of questions about yourself.  Law firms are hiring, but they are only hiring the right attorney.  They want to make sure that the hire they make will be exactly what they need.  After all, hiring someone is expensive, and laying them off a few months later is even more expensive.  Therefore, they’re going to be asking even more questions than usual, so be ready to talk about yourself quite a bit.

2.     Have some information about what you can bring to the table.  Ask not what the law firm can do for you, but ask what you can do for the law firm.  That is definitely the mantra of all hiring partners these days.  You should be able to tell them how you plan to generate revenue for the law firm.  Even if you’re an associate, you should have a long-term plan.

3.     Know your stuff.  You’ve always know that it’s important to ask a few questions and know about the firm.  Those things are even more important today. As outlined above, these hiring partners want to make sure that you are the perfect person for the firm.  The more interest you show in the position and the more you know about the firm and exactly what they’re looking for, the better.

Please let us know how your interviews are going.  We’re always anxious to hear from the front lines.  Of course, if you’re ready to get out there and aren’t sure where to start, please contact us.  We’re lawyers helping lawyers, and we’re ready to help you!

 

Classic Swan Legal Search — Marketing yourself as an attorney

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Back by popular demand, it’s a “classic” Swan Legal Search blog post.  The advice in this post has helped many attorneys market themselves and generate business.  Originally posted in January 2010, it’s just as valid today.  Enjoy!

Even in the best economic climate a law firm is a competitive environment.  In a sea of shifting hungry laterals, partners are all seeking to maximize their individual talents and abilities.  In this market, the way to shine is by generating business for the firm.  Hourly rates are steep; annual billing requirements undermine attorneys’ dedication to pursuing their best and highest use.  The distraction of billing, which is largely indicative of compensation, ironically serves as a barrier to the real, more long-term job security gained by marketing, rain-making and business generation.  One cannot bill 2,000 hours – or have appearances of doing so – and maintain a devotion and commitment to client development.  Attorneys are left with two options: Bill like a banshee or reduce billable hours and spend some working hours marketing.  The former is more a short-term “fix”; it can be spotty, and screams “you’re only as good as your last case or deal” whereas the latter reaps longer-term rewards and engenders security.

Although billing is very time consuming, it’s imperative to make time each week to market yourself.  Schedule one hour per day to do nothing but attempt to generate business.  Look at it as an investment in your future at the firm and beyond.  Even if you’ve never brought a case, you have a chance to bring great value to your firm.  Throughout the next few weeks, we’ll be breaking down your time and help your marketing efficiency.  Here’s your schedule for the first week of rain-making.

  1. Monday.  Look through your “address book” on your computer.  Organize all current or previous clients with which you personally dealt.  Make sure you have email addresses and phone numbers.  Do a little online research on these folks to see what they’re up to these days.  Have they moved jobs, started their own businesses, achieved a great success in their business, appeared in the paper/on TV for some reason?  Make a few notes for yourself on each of these current/previous clients.
  2. Tuesday.  Pick two or three of the clients and send emails.  Don’t ask for anything, just check up with them.  Mention that you saw that they recently …. (fill in the blank.  Bought a business, moved their office, commented on a story on Larry King, etc.)  Congratulate them.
  3. Wednesday.  Search your address books for your personal contacts — friends, family, ex-classmates from law school, former co-workers, etc.  – and send out a newsletter.  Let them know that you’re searching for new business.  Make it very clear what type of case you’d like.  Also, let them know that any type of leads would be helpful.  Maybe they don’t know anyone who needs a bankruptcy lawyer, but they know someone who knows someone…  These “friends of friends” connections can be amazing.  Be clear that you’re ready to meet folks who may need your legal services.
  4. Thursday.  Look for events to attend.  You can look at websites for attorneys (CalBar.org, local bar associations, etc.), review charity sites, hobby sites, etc.  At this point in the game, it really doesn’t matter what type of event you attend, you just need to get out there and meet people.  Buy tickets or RSVP to at least 2 events that will occur over the next two weeks.
  5. Friday.  Review blogs that pertain to your area of law.  Note that these blogs don’t have to be legal blogs.  Go to Google and type in your area of law and the word “blog.”  See what shows up.  Just do a little online research.  Make some notes for yourself and bookmark the blogs that you enjoy.

Marketing and rain-making can really be this simple.  Stay tuned for next week’s “rainmaking schedule.”  Your efforts will pay off over time.  Understand that these efforts rarely result in immediate success.  However, over the course of three months, you will have booked at least 65 hours marketing yourself.

For more tips on marketing yourself, contact us. We’re lawyers who have been helping lawyers for years.  We understand the pressures of billing and the importance of bringing cases, and we’re excited to help you in your journey.

Let us know the results of your first week of marketing yourself.  We’d love to hear from you!