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Career Development
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The Practical Lawyer, April 2007: Building The Next Generation Of Rainmakers Recently I was asked to give a presentation at the ABA Annual Meeting on building the next generation of rainmakers. As I thought about what I would tell the audience, it occurred to me that most of the rainmakers in law firms are or will be at retirement age within the next 10 years. That may be fine if a firm has institutional clients, but most firms I know are more entrepreneurial. As a result, building the next generation of rainmakers is critical. |
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Strategy for Career and Life Oct. 9, 1978, was the coldest October 9th in recorded history in Roanoke, Va. I had been married for eight years and had practiced law for seven years. Although I had a good life and career, the events of that day brought me to a crossroads that motivated me to map out my future success and a plan for how to achieve it. |
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10 Questions Law Students or Lateral Associates Should Ask a Prospective Law Firm Employer In order to set goals that will have enough meaning to you that you will actually make the commitment and have the discipline to do what is necessary to achieve them, there are certain things you need to know about yourself. Here are 10 questions to ask before you set your goals. |
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Why Associates Do Not Set Goals I have set goals since childhood. When I was young, I set goals related to my sports activities, such as free throw percentage in basketball, strike outs and earned run average in baseball, and average yards per carry in football. When I started law school, my goal was to finish in the top five of my class. When I became a lawyer, my first goals centered on what I wanted to learn and what I wanted to experience. I remember one year I wanted to have five jury trials. Having goals motivated me, stretched me and forced me to prioritize my activities. |
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Construction and Careers During my 33 year law career focusing on construction law and the construction industry, I have learned how the approach taken to design and construct a magnificent project is similar to the approach taken by successful people to build their careers. |
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Goals and Career Planning Recently I spoke with a young partner named Lisa about her career. I learned Lisa had some ideas about what she wanted to do, but had not written any goals or a plan to achieve what she wanted. When Lisa described what she wanted from her law career, her description was fuzzy and ambiguous. I wanted to suggest she would never achieve her career dreams without clearly defining what they are and developing written goals and a plan. But, I bit my tongue and decided to listen and get to know her better. |
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Personal Performance and Development Plans Recently I was asked why lawyers should prepare Personal Performance and Development Plans. I was surprised by the question, in part because I have prepared such plans from my first year as a lawyer. When I clearly understand my purpose, I am energized, committed and disciplined about my career -- I know where I want to go and have a plan to get there. To not plan is to risk getting lost. As Yogi Berra once said: "If you don't know where you are going, you are likely to end up somewhere else. " |
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Presidential Debates and Law Careers I don't know about you, but I hate watching Presidential Debates. First we all know they are not debates at all, but rather staged events where each candidate waits for the opportunity to get into his answer the sound bite his handlers have told him will sway the voters. I also don 't like the tactics. Each candidate tries to convince the public that if the other guy is elected the voter and his or her family will be at great risk and suffer in some way, but if the speaker is elected the voter and his or her family will be safe and will gain great benefits from making the right choice. |
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What Firms Can Do to Help Associates Take Responsibility for Their Careers Isn't it ironic that many lawyers spend more time and energy planning their vacations than they do planning their careers? Isn't is also ironic that, when asked, they can explain clearly why they want to go to a particular vacations spot, what they need to do to get adequately prepared for their upcoming trip, and exactly what they plan to do while there? |
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A Letter to My 5th Year Associate Friend Dear Sam, I enjoyed dinner with you and Judy several weeks ago. I have had time now to reflect on the thoughts you expressed about starting over and, possibly, abandoning your law career entirely. You are the best associate who has ever worked with me, and I find it a shame that your thoughts have taken this turn. |
