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How Can I Stay Marketable to My Firm and Other Employers?

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  6. How Can I Stay Marketable to My Firm and Other Employers?

published July 13, 2015

By Author - LawCrossing
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( 52 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.
Questions:

I am a rising 5th year associate at a mid-sized law firm in Washington, D.C. I am not interested in developing client business but would like to eventually be a "service" partner in a law firm. What steps I should be taking to ensure that I continue to stay marketable both within my firm and to other prospective employers?


Answer:

Generally, attorneys should be thinking about their long-term career goals by their fourth or fifth year of practice. While some larger law firms have formal associate development and mentorship systems in place to help ensure that their attorneys stay on track and keep developing their skills, many other firms lack clear cut processes. In either case, here are some tips for making sure you keep your career development on track:
 
  • Have a clear understanding of your firm's progression track and know where you stand: some firms follow a traditional lock-step progression track (e.g., 8, 9 or 10 years), while others have more amorphous systems in place. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what it takes to progress at your firm and check in with your supervisors on a consistent basis to make sure you're performing at the highest level.
  • Find a mentor who can take you under their wing and advocate for you: in most cases, making partner at a firm depends on having at least one strong mentor in your corner who can advocate for you with the firm's other partners. A mentor can also help introduce you to other key decision makers in the firm and can ensure that you get the range of work you need to fully develop your skill set.
  • Make sure you stay relevant at your firm: the best way to do this is by putting in the hours and by continuously developing more senior level skills that bring to the firm and which make you an essential person to staff on matters. If you are not taking on more responsibility on matters today than you were 12 months ago, that's a problem. Be proactive and find ways to grow your skill set.
  • Relatedly, become an expert in something: many candidates I've worked with over the years, and many of my former law firm colleagues, were able to progress to partnership - even without being business generators - by developing niche practice area expertise. Pay attention to potential long-term trends within your practice area, as well as any gaps in expertise within your firm's practice, and fill the gap! Pro bono work, CLE courses, and even ABA sub-section memberships can be invaluable here.
  • Be a good firm citizen: while it's important to bill hours, it's equally important to take advantage of leadership opportunities within your firm. Join a committee (such as the Associate's Committee or Recruiting Committee), become a mentor to a junior associate, or offer to give an in-house CLE presentation to your colleagues. Also, make sure you are helping junior associates in your practice group by mentoring them and helping them to develop their legal chops.
  • Market yourself internally and externally: on many levels, progressing at a law firm requires you to be your biggest advocate. This doesn't mean you should act cocky and beat your chest. Rather, make sure you are letting your supervisors know that you are happy at the firm and that you want to do what it takes to be successful. Also, make sure you are getting your name out there by giving presentations at conferences, publishing articles and client alerts, attending conferences and various events, and staying involved in the community.

While there is no perfect formula for making sure all associates stay marketable both within their firms and in the larger legal world, these tips should get you well on your way!
  1. Legal Jobs
  2. Legal Articles
  3. Attorney
  4. Attorney Career Advice
  5. Attorney Q & A
  6. How Can I Stay Marketable to My Firm and Other Employers?

published July 13, 2015

By Author - LawCrossing
( 52 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.

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