Crafting Your Legal Career
Taking the time to craft a legal career that is meaningful to you begets a rich professional life that can be looked back upon with pride and deep satisfaction. This is an exercise uniquely your own, as only you can define what is important to you and the milestones you want to achieve over the course of your career.
And this is not just exclusive to new lawyers, designing a roadmap for your legal career is advantageous at any experience level. Identifying career goals that align with your values is an essential facet of your success - and because change is the only constant, realignment is often necessary throughout your professional life.
With our collective 35 years of experience counseling and coaching attorneys at all levels - we hope our insights inspire you to invest the time in crafting your legal career.
Attorneys 0-2 years
Now more than ever is the time to look within and find a practice area that is professionally satisfying and aligns with your values. Switching practice areas down the line isn’t impossible but it is difficult, and it’s guaranteed to set back your timeline. So devote time and respect to this assignment, because a decision like this deserves it.
If you’re with a firm and still wondering if your current job is right for you, it’s time to start asking some experienced professionals. Shadow a senior attorney, or speak with attorneys engaging in work you find interesting. Most folks enjoy talking about their jobs and will likely be willing (and flattered) to be asked about their work. Craft your questions strategically - what is their day to day like, what are the hours and type of experience required, who do they work with - etc. This invaluable insight helps define what you want in a job, whether their responses seem attractive to you or the opposite.
It’s also advantageous in these first few years to intentionally and proactively build your skill set. Define and design an internal brand - what kind of worker and colleague are you, how do you show up every day, how do you approach business development skills, what types of cases do you want to work on. A great place to start is by observing how professionals you admire engage in their work, and emulate it. You can then make it your own and begin living the story you want to tell in three years time.
Attorneys 3-5 years
With a few years under your belt this is an excellent time to take inventory of your professional experience.
Ask yourself, and quantify:
Your breadth of skills - list them and your months/years of experience in each.
Cases you’ve worked on, and quantify the experience - hours, team size, outcome.
Types of clients you’ve represented - who are they and why do they matter.
The heritage, reputation and success of your firm or institution.
Take an inventory of your qualitative assets as well:
How are you viewed by your peers?
How would your peers and Partners describe the type of worker you are?
What words do you use to describe your work ethic?
Use the answers to these questions as the foundation you build the story of your professional experience on, as these are your leading differentiators.
This is also the time to begin thinking critically about the next major step in your career. Specifically, if you’re interested in making partner, going in-house, starting a private practice, or moving in another direction. Again, align this decision with your values and career goals - financially, lifestyle, etc.
Know that if you want to make partner, you’ll likely want to be at your desired firm at your six year mark, so consider this when designing your next career step. While not impossible, if you decide to lateral to another firm after six years you may be too senior for consideration. Not always, but something to keep in mind.
Attorneys 6-8 years
Here you should be at a firm where you can really see out your roadmap and accomplish your long-term goals. This is the time to make a move towards a senior associate, counsel or partner role - you’ve earned it and you should feel proud.
Use your story, your quantified qualifications crafted over the last few years, and begin sharing it with decision makers. Begin booking meetings with partners at your firm and voice your desire to be among them - now is the time to be noticed as someone who wants to stick around and become an integral part of the firm.
You are a valuable contributor and you want to contribute even more. Let this be known! Show your face at legal events, start making meaningful connections within your network and community. And most notably: start generating revenue and start building your book of business.
This is also the time to get your name out there as an expert in your practice area. Write articles, and say yes to opportunities to speak and give presentations - these are two ways your peers will begin to view you as an authority in the field. With each publication and speech you give, you take another step toward establishing yourself as the expert you are.
9+ Years
You’ve done the years, you’ve taken the time to design your career, and you’re now actualizing the fruits of your labor. This is an exciting time.
If you like where you are - continue to grow and generate revenue for your firm. Also take a vacation, you deserve it.
If you like where you are but you’re not yet a partner, don’t worry - making partner is only a solid book of business away. We recommend leaning on your recruiter, peers and your network for any advice or direction you need to begin building your book, and getting to work.
If you like what you’re doing but not where you’re working - start looking elsewhere. With a book of business you’re a step ahead as you’ll be very interesting to other firms.
If you’re tired of the old grind and want to get out on your own - do it! With the numerous tools our modern economy offers, there’s no better time to start designing your personal practice. Think about what you can offer your clients, what are your differentiators - and leverage your network to build your clientele.
In Conclusion
No matter where you are in your legal practice, carving out the time to design your career path is an investment that pays dividends, with you as the direct beneficiary. Think about where you want to be in one, five, ten years - and plan how and what steps you’ll take to get there, the more detailed you can be the better. And yes, deviations happen, that’s expected. But better to deviate from a thoughtful plan that aligns with your values and your life goals, and one you’ve designed and feel proud of.
And, if you are seeking assistance, counsel, or a design partner in this journey - contact us.