I posted this a few years ago and decided associates who didn’t have a chance to read it then might find it valuable. And, if this is your first year with a law firm, make sure to click on my Practical Lawyer article Forty Important Things I wish Someone Had Told Me When I Was
Associates: Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Supervising Attorney
Knowing that many first-year lawyers will be starting with their law firms in September, I want to share questions I suggest associates ask the more senior lawyers who give them assignments.
At the Beginning of a Project:
- When would you like me to complete this project?
- Describe what you have been told to do and
Six Client Development Myths That Hold Most Associates Back
Over all these past 12 plus years that I have coached lawyers, the most familiar refrain I have heard has been:
I wish I had started my client development efforts earlier
Why have so many lawyers waited until they became partners, when the pressure was on them to bring in business?
I say there are
10 Ways Law Firms Contribute to Associates Not Setting Goals
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
First Year Lawyers: Here is One Big Lesson I Learned
I’m writing this week to help lawyers starting their first job in a law firm this week.
Over the years, I have been asked many times to give a presentation Starting Right for Career Success. If you click you will see that in October, I will give this presentation to young Boston lawyers.
My
20 Essential Client Development Skills Every Associate Should Be Learning
I contend that rainmakers are not born that way. I certainly wasn’t. I loved trying to development my skills. I thought of that effort yesterday when I saw a blog: No-one Was Born Great. I recommend reading it and seeing how it applies to your client development efforts.
Are you and the other young
Breaking News: Your clients do not want to pay for your associates “getting their hours”
Did you read a November, 2011 New York Times article: What They Don’t Teach Law Students: Lawyering? It referenced an American Lawyer survey finding that 47% of clients surveyed did not want first or second year associates working on their matters. It also identified what clients are saying to firms:
But the downturn in
Are You an Associate Wanting to Learn about Client Development?
Are you an associate in a law firm? If not, do you know an associate in a law firm? I love coaching and teaching associates how to be successful developing business. On THURSDAY, March 1, at Noon CST I will be presenting a FREE Webinar on client development just for associates. Their are only 25
Client Development: The Case for Developing Skills Early
I have always had a “Top 10 scary things I have heard law firm partners say about client development.” My number 10 has always been: “We just want our associates to do good work.” In other words, the last thing on earth we would want our associates to do would be to build relationships with
The Why and What of Client Development Training for Associates
I will be doing a client development for associates webinar with LexBlog’s Kevin O’Keefe tomorrow at Noon Eastern Time. It will be fun, in part because it will be interactive. Instead of a PowerPoint presentation, I will be answering questions from the participants. If you want to learn more about it and sign up