Attorneys at all levels have said how shocked and angered they were to learn well after the fact that they’d made a mistake or caused a problem that no one mentioned to them. Sometimes they learn about this in a formal review. Worse, others learn about it via the gossip mill or casual conversation.
Read MoreAre you a manager looking for upward feedback? You've come to the right place! The Upward Feedback Guide for Managers is your one-stop shop for all things upward feedback related. In this guide, we will discuss the basics of upward feedback, how to give and receive it effectively, and leadership development tips. We'll also take a look at some management skills that will help you become an even better leader!
Read MoreRecruiters (aka “headhunters” or “search firms”) play a unique and important role in a legal job search. This article is designed to explain how to effectively use recruiters within the context of your search.
Like most BigLaw associates, from early on in my career as an attorney I often received calls from recruiters about other positions. I would sometimes send a resume over when the job sounded interesting. But over the years, I began to learn that there were norms and strategies that make working with recruiters more effective.
Read MoreThe polarization highlighted by this week's midterm elections reminded me how leading a law firm in these divisive times can be a minefield. Trying to create a consensus (about any number of issues) presents huge - potentially existential - challenges to law firm leaders and partners.
But there are tangible steps leaders can take to acknowledge internal division and show respect to their colleagues while also protecting the bottom line.
As first-year associates launch their legal career, they can show up, speak up, perk up, hold up, look up, dress up, and level up to elevate their professional presence, establish a polished personal brand, improve communication outcomes, and start their career on an upward trajectory.
Read MoreMaybe you've heard of "adaptive learning," maybe you haven't. If you have, maybe you're not entirely sure what it means.
Maybe you're skeptical about digital learning, maybe you're not. Perhaps you imagine talking head videos that—sure—can be broadcasted to millions at once but to the loss of the individualized, tailored potential of in-person, live, person-to-person training.
Read MoreThe cost of higher education has continued to climb and with it, the cost of law school. As a result, the amount of debt that many law school graduates hold at the start of their careers has risen to an average of over $115,000 according to Law School Transparency, a non-profit organization. This burden of debt is significant for all who experience it, and it can cause significant financial stress and anxiety for attorneys of color.
Read MoreThe PD Providers Network, a group of consultants who serve the legal industry, met recently to discuss the transition from the all-remote teams of the COVID-19 era to the inevitable mix of remote and in-person teams. They offer the following communications and planning tips to help firm leaders, managers, and employees navigate this transition with success.