How Can I Make Partner or Make a Move without a Book of Business? Summary: Are you stuck at a firm that doesn’t encourage business development? Are you not gaining the experience you hoped for? Learn what your options are in this article.
Show Me the Money! Q. I’m a senior litigation associate at a big firm and I don’t think I’m going to make partner. The firm and the partners that I work for don’t encourage business development, so I don’t have a book of business. And, I’m not getting the trial experience I’d hoped for. What are my options? A. So, you spend your summer at a big (or even smaller firm) and get great experience for a Summer Associate (along with being wined and dined a little … or a lot). Based on that experience, you believe it is the right place for you to begin your journey as a lawyer. Indeed, much like Renee Zellweger in the movie Jerry Maguire, the firm “had you at hello.” Everything seems great for the first few years. You are researching and writing memos, motions, briefs, maybe even preparing outlines for depositions and preparing for trials and arbitrations. However, a few years in, you want more and realize you are going to need more to make partner. Two of the most common complaints that recruiters hear on a regular basis are as follows: One, you aren’t getting the hands-on litigation experience that you were hoping to get. For some, this is the whole reason they go to law school – to be a trial lawyer. But, you are working at a big firm and clients pay top dollar. Because of that, often times the clients want the big guns (partners) to do all of the heavy lifting (taking depositions, making oral arguments, chairing the trial). So, you are relegated to a seemingly permanent supporting role. Or, perhaps the partner just isn’t great at developing associate talent and enjoys being the face of the case. Two, the partners or the firm discourage or don’t actively encourage associates to build a book of business. Perhaps the partners neglect to bring associates along on pitches, new client meetings or other key networking opportunities. Or maybe you are working too many hours and you feel you have no time to go to conferences or network. Or maybe the firm doesn’t reimburse or pay for business development. Or, perhaps you have tried to