I remember working with associates in my old law firm and helping them decide what they wanted to accomplish in their work and careers and helping them prepare a plan with written goals.

I had great intentions and enthusiasm, and so did the majority of associates. But, over time I discovered that my large law firm was, perhaps inadvertently, contributing to our associates not following through.

Here is what I concluded happened. Maybe it is happening in your firm.

  1. The firm leaders don’t make clear that the firm values the associates setting goals;
  2. The partners don’t set their own goals;
  3. The firm seems to only value billable hours;
  4. There are no benchmarks identifying what associates are learning;
  5. Associates are made to feel they are not doing what they should when they do non-billable activities outside the office;
  6. Associates are not encouraged to participate in attorney development programs;
  7. Associates are not given meaningful feedback;
  8. Associates who set goals are put down when they share their goals with the partners for whom they work;
  9. Partners do not share credit with associates when they help with an article or presentation;
  10. Mentoring in the firm is just talk and not meaningful.