I genuinely believe most law firms are great at turning people into technical experts but terrible at developing real leaders. Just because someone can crush a deal or write a perfect motion doesn’t mean they know how to manage people or build a healthy culture. I’ve seen brilliant lawyers promoted who have zero interest n mentoring, delegating, or giving feedback. What do you think, should we stop pretending that being a good lawyer automatically makes you a good boss?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Yes. Law firms are full of emotionally stunted geniuses who shouldn’t manage a lemonade stand, let alone a team. It’s embarrassing how little we value actual leadership skills.

likefunny

This. Spot on. There. are some senior associates and senior counsels at my BigLaw firm who will inevitably make partner and you’re just like… wow, really?

like

It's not just law firms. I saw this in corporate America before becoming an attorney too.

I wonder if law schools could fix this by adding a capstone year where you learn the basics of running a business, leadership, office politics, etc.

like

Don't add more years to law school! Just replace the last year which ends up being wishy washy electives anyways with that suggestion

like

I don't know if some training in law school or on the job is going to cut it. Because being a good manager also requires emotional maturity, which so many senior attorneys seem to completely lack. You gotta make them do 5 years of therapy first, idk.

like

💯, firms should hire professional staff to manage everyone.

like

When you supervise someone, you're monitoring productivity and work quality. If an employee isn't doing their job, a manager has to step in and correct them. That's training. It also assigning work according to the employee's capacity and skillset while answering questions when weird situations pop up. That's mentorship.

like

FWIW, PE is going to take over the legal industry soon enough and the ones who still have jobs will only manage AI and contract attorneys.

like

Lawyers lacked leaders who listened and become leaders who don’t listen, a vicious cycle.

like

You must be new here.

like

This is sooo timely for me. Just raised an actually formal grievance in relation to poor management and terrible feedback culture. I was shocked to hear HR agreed on a without prejudice basis. I honestly don’t know what it would take for the culture to change.

like

Unfortunately, being a good business producer will be more important than being a good leader for the foreseeable future.

like

amen

like

Related Posts

Hi,

Anyone can provide review about Springer Nature Technology and Publishing Solution, Pune?

Company culture? Year to year hike? Work life balance?

like

How much do you tip in an higher priced restaurant? Went for dinner last night for 2. The bill was $220ish and I tipped 30%. My friend said I tipped too much and that he would've only tipped 10-15% because the price was higher. Thoughts?

likefunny

DBS Bank vs Bank of America (BA Continuum India Pvt. Ltd.) Agile Business Analyst role,

Which one to join? Culture, Learning and Growth(Knowledge +Financial) wise?

Offered CTC is approximately the same

Hi everyone, Anybody knows about IndiaMart and it’s work culture as Devops engineer?

like

How different are Deloitte Infosys and Accenture? culture and salary wise?

like

How is the work culture in Microsoft database teams?
And what is the expected TC for 8yoe?

like

Hi All,

I have got an offer from Schneider Electric company in Digital dept. How is the work culture, hike, career growth.

Please share your experience as I have got only 10 days to join.

YoE : 10 years

like

Hi, I am joining at C9 level at Gurgaon. Can anyone please let me know what is the package range for this position & what’s avg. appraisal company provides to existing employees. Also about the work culture

Anyone at Pryor Cashman have intel on firm culture, work/life balance, and comp?

like

Is any one know Tavisca, Pune about its work culture and job security?

like

Who is looking for a new sales opportunity?
I have openings on our sales team. High intensity environment, startup culture. Great for someone looking to build new skill sets or recent grad looking to move into sales. Holding brief 10 minute calls to go over more details. $60K base, full benefits, uncapped commission. Must be NY based. Comment if you’d like a DM to discuss more

like

Hello Fishers, Would like to know about company Aurigo it's culture , WLB , salary , growth . TIA .

like

How to respond to the “why are you looking to switch careers?” Question. Have a background as a mfg engr but have an interview for a software QA position . I applied because the company culture and benefits are hard to beat. software QA was the closest position I qualify for.

like

Thoughts on Vertex? Pipeline? Culture? Comp? Looking at a Director role.

like

Hi fishes, I have an offer from DTDL is it good company to work. How is the work culture, hike and perks in the company?

like

I have started my career at Wipro Technologies 6.3 years back and left 4 years back.

I am in process of choosing an opportunity with Tech Mahindra and Wipro Digital or Cognizant ?

I am looking for an long term association with company for at least 4 years from now. (company work culture and technology growth is priority)

Which one would be good in terms of your knowledge and experiences ?

Technology : RPA (UiPath)
Client : UHG

Any information would really help me a lot to my career.

We need this type of Corporate Culture!

Post Photo
like

Does anyone here work at Cover Whale Insurance? They are a wholesale company and I’m wondering what the culture is like since it is a fairly new but quickly growing company.

like

What’s the story with Army account at DDB? Heard so many different things about their leadership and culture.

Hi fishes,

I have offer from Hitachi vantara for Hyderabad location.
Is it good to join ?
# work life balance
# work culture
@Hitachi vantara consulting

More Posts

like

Enough work for today, Dad. Let’s snuggle.

Post Photo
like

Hi folks..i am from sales and account management experience. I am looking to move to product management and engineering in Google/ twitter/ Microsoft/meta.
What's the right steps and is it possible?

like

How is WLB in AMD?

like

Citiustech Healthcare Technologies

How is Citiustech to work with and how is the work Life balance and security aspects here?

Is it just me, or is it getting crazier out there?

likefunny

Sooo who’s working on Pfizer’s covid vaccine?

like

SEs, do you have any side hustles for weekends or weeknights?
I'm in a very HCOL area and my 165k TC isn't enough to comfortably buy a million dollar house (which is a 50 y/o SFH that needs TLC on prob a 1200 living sqft).

Wondering if any of you work side gigs during your free time?

like

What’s the average salary for a Federal Accenture Analyst

Whats the salary range for a senior analyst for a new joiner in nyc region?

like

Working as a Business analyst in BFSI for last 10 years. ( Married, have a kid)
What should be the next step
Current options I thought-
1. Planning for a switch ( but ye shayad chalta rahega)
2. Planning for a good certification- did SAFE product owner and all but kuch khas nai hai
3. Planning for a PHD ( part time ) not sure, not clear may be a good option as I can move to education line.
What else guys
Serious answers 🙏🙏
Any senior who can help

Is breaking into equity research/coverage teams as hard as breaking into traditional advisory/M&A IB being from a non target school with a non finance degree?

like

Anyone at Pryor Cashman have intel on firm culture, work/life balance, and comp?

like

What’s the deal with these start-ups not hiring people with actual insurance experience?

like

Hi friends, I’m a starter in cyber security (<1 yr exp). I’m already working at EY so idk if any starter certifications would be helpful but do you think they’re helpful and if so, which ones?

like

Interested in for profit business model with positive social impact in the area of education, reducing poverty and street children. Interested in solving social problem through business. what career path I can take? finding organization that really inspire me isn’t easy. Should I start with skill for potential position? I’m in sales/business development now but I want to shift to other role. I’ve been back and forth and really difficult how to lay out the path to take. Tks

I’m doing my own marketing for my small business and am having trouble creating call to actions that convert. Where can I learn more about this?

like

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a switch in data science and data analysis.

I have 7+ months of experience in a startup.

I have released projects to three clients by now.

I'm looking for a change. Any help would be appreciated.@

like

Who else loves this sign

Post Photo
like

Anyone have a recommend for a seasonal depression light? There are lots of options and I would prefer one that turns on in the early am hours.

Additional Posts in Law

Confused why Wachtell qualifies as BigLaw when they have one (small) office

like

When lateraling to another defense firm, is it necessary to show billable hours at current firm?

like

How many billable hours per week is considered at capacity? I’m getting pushback on boundaries I’m setting about additional matters and marketing work from my firm when I’ve been billing 60-75 hours per week for the last 6 weeks, and I’m still behind on my work. I feel like it’s reasonable to not kill myself further to fit in more/turn things around faster at this point, but am I being unreasonable? I expect my workload to remain at this level through the end of the year at least.

like

Thinking about applying as a lateral to Quinn Emmanuel LA. Thoughts on hours, etc.?

like

Has anyone moved into a non-legal role at a tech company after big law? Trying to figure out what else is out there if I do not want to go in house in a legal capacity.

like

Any tips when leaving a firm? Younger associate <1 year.

likehelpful

Any thoughts on Phillips Lytle? If you could please provide insight on culture/billable requirements? Thank you.

like

Does anyone know the reputation of the Boston based Morgan and Morgan attorneys? Is it a good working environment?

like

I'm a long time prosecutor getting into the ID game and billable hours. Are there any resources out there that can help me get more effective/efficient without spending months/years learning the hard way? Some days I'm at the office 10 hours, took virtually no breaks and yet only bill 7. 🤬

like

I went through all the stages of interviewing with a firm then they chose not to fill the position. They said internal priorities changed. I saw about 5 months later they posted a similar position. Guess who has another interview!

like

What is a typical starting rate that young attorneys charge for per diem side work? First or second year lawyers should ask for what? Client is a big firm.

like

I feel like I’m wasting my time waiting on CA bar results 😭, any tips on how I can use this time effectively?

like

I'm a third year plaintiff's employment law attorney and I'm looking to move to defense, preferably still in employment law. I received an offer from a midsize firm that primarily focuses on PI with little-to-no employment law practice, so I'll have a bit of a learning curve. Offer is $90k, billable hours of 2100. Is this reasonable? I'm dead-set on leaving my current job, and this would be a $20k pay increase - which makes me believe I'm leaning towards taking it for those reasons only.

likesmart

What’s average salary in ID firm mid size (NY) about 350 attorneys ? Class of 2019 but was in public sector (criminal law) for 2 years! 2000 billable hours minimum

like

Alston & Bird LLP Does anyone have any insight into associate pay, bonuses, min billable hours, and general work/life balance at Alston & Bird LLP? (DC Office)

like

What is the scoop on med mal defense vs. plaintiff work? Is defense more respected by other practice areas if I were to switch somewhere else later?

I applied to a position that brands itself as civil litigation and apparently the role is med mal defense. Not sure what to go by but would like to do a little research before I call them back.

like

I’ve always wondered how are lawyers chosen to be recognized in magazines or online publications as “Best Lawyers”/“Rising Stars”? I’ve always assumed it’s a circle jerk of some sorts for Big Firms nominating each other, but I have no idea.

like

What do partners generally expect from third-year litigation associates (smaller firm) as far as legal, professional, and/or case management skills go?
I still feel like I can’t (or don’t know how to) manage or push cases forward and like I’m constantly behind on everything—is this normal?

like

Does anyone know sports arbitration or general arbitration well? Have been a figure skating fan my entire life and am curious whether the judgement of recent Valieva case makes sense to you.

like

For associates who have lateraled in the last 6 months or so, what made you decide to move? Has your situation improved since moving? I’m a transactional mid-level & I’ve interviewed with some great firms recently. I’m struggling to get excited though…it just seems like no matter where I go I’ll be overworked & under appreciated. Hoping there are some positive stories out there to give me hope. Haha

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal