Is it okay to ask your partner mentor about your chances of making partner or should a more subtle approach be taken?

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Jesus yes. It blows me away how often senior associates and non-equity partners tell me they have never told anyone that matters that they want to make (equity) partner.

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Would caveat that. We have groups in our firm that are big on being “humble” and receiving that tap on the shoulder.

I recommend having a conversation about partnership, but I would not frame it in terms of whether you have “chances.” If you are a junior or mid-level associate, the appropriate approach is simply to communicate clearly to the right people within the firm that you are committed to the firm and that your goal is to make partner. At that stage, discussions about likelihood or probability are premature and, in any event, not something anyone can meaningfully assess.

If, however, you are a senior associate and have not received a clear signal or had a direct conversation indicating that you are expected to be promoted within a reasonably defined timeframe, you should raise the issue with your mentor and, ideally, have a candid discussion with the practice group head about whether you are on the partner track and, if so, what the anticipated timeline looks like.

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Go for it.

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Some subtlety is appropriate. Tell them that’s your ambition and ask what you need to work on to get there.

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Exactly. And know your group/firm - some are weird about these things.

A real mentor (not just a firm appointed one) should be open to discuss though.

I always think that you would know your chance by gut feeling

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