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Chief
I see several posts from people asking how they can help during these times with a few extra $$$ to spend. Here is just one of many ideas.
www.stepuptothetable.com
#stepuptothetable is about helping local restaurants who are struggling during these times. I have seen numerous linkedin posts with videos where people challenge each other to step up to the table & buy meals & gift cards from their community restaurants. A great way for those of us who are more fortunate to support business & keep people employed.
“Fuck it I’m going to PDF this bitch"
Anyone been back in the office recently?
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Chief
What’s the word on Foley Hoag LLP?
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You’re not doomed, but visibility does matter. You can build your own version of self-promotionwhether that’s thought leadership, internal wins, or strategic mentorship. The key is finding ways to stay on the radar without becoming someone you’re not.
That’s not an unpopular opinion. That’s a fact
Yes. I thought this was clear to everyone in year 1. The skills and nature of work required to be a “highly successful” partner are pretty different from the skills required to be a great lawyer. And I’m not sure it’s something you can just work and study your way to like you can being a great lawyer. You kind of have it or you don’t.
The purpose of a law firm is to make money while practicing law. You need the rainmakers and the technical people. If you're both, you're golden. If you're a schmoozer, be friendly with the technical people so you can serve your clients. If you're only technical, latch on to a schmoozer partner and be the right hand person. If you're both, widen your circle so you don't burn out and have help at your fingertips. For you, take some seminars or classes and learn how to cultivate clients.
Rising Star
Learning the “if you’re both” part the hard way. You cannot do it all yourself.
This is true to a point, but “schmoozing” is very overrated. Plenty of the best rainmakers I know at major firms are extremely introverted people. It’s about building relationships.
No clients ... no work ... no money ...
If you're a grinder, be thankful for the finder.
And you'd be surprised how many rainmakers are top notch lawyers.
That's not an unpopular opinion at all, it is definitely 100% correct. Originations matter drastically more than billables.
As they should
This is true of most professions though unfortunately
I really agree. I am an average lawyer, nothing special, but had a strong ability to establish relationships, expand existing firm relationships, and just show up at the right places at the right time. It sent my up the ladder fast and I was given high praises. At the end of the day, I work at a 1,000 attorney firm where I can get the right person in front of the client for a specific issue. I have had the ability to get the clients' time to get them in front of the right attorney, which is key.
I think "rainmaking" is why I have been successful as an attorney. I love interacting with clients and getting answers. It is something that I seem to be fairly natural at doing so I wouldn't call it "playing the game." I generally care about the people that I take on as clients and call some of them close friends. I also know how to talk their language of business and understand their overall business goals. I started solo and grew my book to seven figures in a boutique. It is all about doing good work and showing a client that you care. They then refer others to you.
Those responding do not ponder the key phrase in this comment. What is "more important." It is taken for granted that making the most money and getting promoted in the firm, the partnership, is more or most important. But, eventually your peers, your clients, and yourself, are going to rate you by the quality of your work, your success in the courtroom, and not how well you schmooze in the cocktail parties on the golf course.
No- you are wrong. Prospective clients are persuaded to give their business to lawyers who are respected in their field, not by how nice or outgoing they are. Be the best at what you do, and prospective clients will call YOU.
This is just true, not an unpopular opinion
The business of law has and always will be about bringing in business; that’s different than the practice of law. If your definition of success in this field is to make money, then you’ll have to be a rainmaker first and a great attorney second; if your definition is winning cases, then being a great attorney comes first.
I tell every attorney I hire at my firm that they can make as much money as they want to make on top of their base pay - it’s up to them if they want to be a rain maker or not. Some of the highest earning ones aren’t the best attorneys, but they’re the best networkers. That doesn’t make them any less or more valuable to the firm - they’re just fulfilling a different role.
Correct. It’s a business. Being able to drive return on invest to shareholders is the goal
If you “hate” networking, yes, you will be behind the eight ball in the legal profession. Business development pressure drove me in-house, and while that solved my problem, in-house roles can be hard to get, can get eliminated in restructurings, and often require you to continue networking in some fashion in case you need to switch roles later on. You simply can’t avoid networking.
There are finders, minders, and grinders. Forms need all of them.
Firms!
Since when is this an unpopular opinion?
I just think that there needs to be lawyers with a passion for their cases and look for those dare to be great situations like the rainmakers. Don't shy away from cases just because of what might be lengthy leg work because that's your real opportunity to learn. The more you know, the more confidence you'll have and that's where your self promotion will gain speed.
You’re doomed if your definition of success is being the most highly compensated and appreciated by peers. But not if your definition of success is having the most loyal, appreciative clients (albeit, a smaller pool of them).
I see this in the firm when I’m currently working. Our rainmaker is a disaster and most of his work is done by a junior associate who gets zero credit.
Rainmakers need their go to rockstars. If your good you’ll find a niche