We’re not opponents. The object is for everyone—candidate, employer, and recruiter—to end up on the same team, with all parties having achieved their goals. Here’s how you, candidates and our employer-clients, can help us legal recruiters help you win at the job search/recruiting game: Know what you want Candidates – spend some time at the outset clarifying your must-haves and desires in terms of practice, type of organization, culture, compensation, and location so we can search for opportunities that meet your career goals as well as your personal needs and preferences. Employers – be cle ..read more

It’s good practice for every lawyer to compile a deal sheet (a list of representative transactions or litigation matters they’ve worked on). It’s even better to update it regularly! Not only will keeping an up-to-date deal sheet allow you to take stock of your experience, which will come in extremely handy if you intend to change jobs or to help you prepare for a performance review, but it also allows you to identify any deficiencies that need shoring up or improvement. Tips for Compiling a Deal Sheet 1. Start now and update regularly Start early in your career or, if you’re already a few year ..read more

If you’re like most people, you made New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, eat healthier, and exercise more. But did you make some resolutions to shape up your professional life, as well? January is a good time to take stock and plot some moves to advance your career. Here are ten resolutions for getting ahead in the New Year: 1. Maximize your hours worked – While most attorneys log long hours, not all hours are created equal. To get the most out of the hours you put in, you need to work not just hard, but smart. Look at your firm’s culture and Return to Office policies to determine when to p ..read more

The beginning of the holiday season is a good time to take stock of the things for which we are grateful. Numerous scientific studies found that having a grateful outlook, “counting one’s blessings,” and expressing gratitude to others can have positive effects on our physical and emotional health as well as on interpersonal relationships—including those at work. Say thank you The act of expressing gratitude, such as by writing thank you letters or listing the positive things in our lives, is essential to reaping these benefits. Multiple studies indicate that expressing gratitude to a ..read more

Whether you’re using just one, or multiple, recruiters in your job search, you’re the one in charge. Search consultants can enhance and facilitate your search, but each recruiter only knows what he or she is doing; you know the whole picture. It’s up to you to keep all the moving parts on track and to ensure there are no duplicate efforts. Using multiple recruiters When moving to another law firm Most recruiters don’t insist on exclusivity but it makes sense to have a primary recruiter, especially if you’re looking to lateral to a law firm. Large law firms usually list their associate openin ..read more

In today’s dynamic legal market, it’s possible to change jobs without leaving your desk—whether your desk is at home or in a commercial office building, or both, depending upon the day. With the increasing pace of partner moves, practice group acquisitions, spin-off firms, and law firm mergers, you might find yourself working for a progression of different law firms, without making a job move personally. This can have an important impact on your career development, however, as each new law firm iteration may bring changes in culture, expectations, career paths, and opportunities. The churn Law ..read more

Building your own practice is essential to career success. Therefore, one of the most important considerations when contemplating a career move, especially at the partner level, is to assess which firm has the best platform for you to develop your client base. Just as hiring firms conduct due diligence when acquiring a lateral attorney, it’s equally important that you, the candidate, do your homework before making a move. Questions to consider include: Where would your current or potential clients best fit? Assessing a potential move on the basis of its effect on your ability to attract and se ..read more

Avoiding your supervising partners’ pet peeves is easy as long as you conform to their idea of the perfect lawyer. What top partners from prestigious law firms say they are looking for in the ideal associate also applies to lawyers at all levels of seniority, and is a roadmap to success. This is what they say they want: Above and beyond The ideal lawyer consistently cares about every task. To demonstrate this quality, after clarifying exactly what your supervising lawyer and/or client expects of you, endeavor to deliver more. Treat each project as if it’s your own problem by taking the initiat ..read more

You need a vacation. You’ve earned it. But can you manage to get away? A March 2023 Pew Research Center survey shows that only 48% of U.S. workers use all their allotted vacation days each year. It’s a good bet that the percentage is even smaller for lawyers. According to a July 12, 2022 Forbes article, the benefits of taking a vacation are clear: it results in improved productivity, lower stress and better overall mental health. It also spurs greater creativity. Time off allows us to come back feeling refreshed and recharged, with renewed focus. Although vacations can save ..read more

Describing your firm and differentiating it are two very different things. The key to successful recruitment and retention lies in understanding how your firm is different from its competitors, clearly communicating that difference in the marketplace, and then finding the audience that appreciates those differences. Every organization has a wealth of information embedded in its existing workforce—both in its lawyers and business professionals— as well as external sources of information, to craft persuasive answers to the question: “Why should I join your organization?” Use your team! Different ..read more