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LegalEdge: How to Make Partner/Develop as a Lawyer

While being elected partner is not the litmus test for success in the practice of law, it is a notable career achievement. I remember realizing early in my career that there was no guidebook for how to make partner, and every attorney I asked seemed to have different advice.


This article, nevertheless, takes a stab at providing a rough outline of tips, broken down by stages of practice, for developing as an attorney, which could help maximize the chances of making a partner.


I. Junior Associate: Years One to Three of Practice


During my first year of practice, a senior partner once told me never to challenge a veteran legal assistant. Senior legal assistants, he said, provide more value to a firm than a first-year attorney. At the time, I thought he was crazy, but I came to realize he was right. As a junior associate, your knowledge and experience are limited. But you are an important investment that the firm has decided to make.


During years one to three of practice, your primary focus should be on learning to become a great lawyer. Learning the details, the intricacies, and what I call the small stuff—the nuts and bolts of lawyering—is indispensable to mastering any craft. Whether you like it or not, you will at some point in your career have to master these details, and there is no better time to do it than at the beginning.


View the partners you work with as your clients. Make their lives easier. Be communicative and responsive and ask for feedback. And get into the habit of taking the initiative whenever possible. Before you present a problem to a partner, try to solve it.



Just as a good partner should present solutions, not problems, to clients, you should, too. While some may deny it, the firm is evaluating whether you are “partner material” in your beginning years. Don’t take these formative years for granted. Relentlessly focus on learning the law and becoming an exceptional lawyer in your junior years.


If you have been assigned a mentor, take full advantage of the opportunity—schedule meetings, lunches and chats. And if your firm doesn’t have a formal mentoring program, don’t let that prevent you from seeking out and building a relationship with an informal mentor.


II. Mid-Level Associate: Years Four to Six


Entering years four to six, you should have mastered the small stuff. Whether that be diligence or discovery, partners should be able to depend on you to get these tasks done at a high level. You should now start seeing the big picture.

In these years, start taking leadership and ownership over your matters. Think as if you were the lead attorney. Generate the strategy to achieve the client’s goal. Draft the action items needed to accomplish this goal. And proactively present this strategy and action items to the partner.


You should now understand that your work does not stop at the office. Law firms are businesses and, thus, need clients. Clients don’t show up at your doorstep, especially not early in your career. You must go get them. During years four to six, while your primary focus should still be mastering the practice of law, you should start marketing, whether it be lunches with prospective clients, publishing articles, or giving speeches.


Also, do not forget the value of cross-selling within your law firm. Each of these marketing acts will prove beneficial in the years ahead. But you should also show the firm you have the propensity to generate business, and the work ethic and grit to do it.


III. Senior Associate: Years Seven to Nine


You are now entering your partner eligibility years. At this point, your reputation at the firm should be fairly well established. The firm has likely made a general assessment of whether you are partnership material, and it is now your job to carry it over the line.

You should be running matters with increasingly limited supervision. Clients should begin to call you, as opposed to the partner, directly, showing that they trust you independently. Your goal should be to show that you are indispensable to the team and will put the firm first. At this stage, you should have (or be actively seeking) a champion—the person who will go to bat for you during internal partner discussions.


Lastly, business development should be becoming a larger part of your focus. While you are not expected to feed yourself, you should begin pitching for business and potentially landing clients.


IV. Conclusion


This article only touches the surface of the complex path to partnership. There are countless other tips and limitless ways to make a partner, depending on the firm and the specific circumstances. In conclusion, I leave you with the best way it was put to me: “You will make a partner when you think and act like a partner.” While simple, when the time comes, you will find it to be true.

Jake’s Tuesday Legal Tips

01 Feb, 2024
The legal trends of 2024 depict a landscape shaped by technological innovations, global connectivity and ethical considerations. As legal professionals adapt to these evolving trends, they must navigate the complexities. Law, like any industry, is constantly changing. 2023 saw tightening credit markets, the advent of AI and geopolitical tensions that caused market destabilizations. These events had unique impacts on the practice of law in 2023. While it is impossible to predict what will happen in 2024, there are brewing trends to be mindful of. This article highlights some of those trends as we proceed in the new year. 1. Increasing Importance of Value  The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic initiated a multiyear wave of government stimulus that flushed the global market with cash. That influx of cash brought with it inflation that necessitated increasing attorney hourly rates to keep pace with inflation. The inflationary growth rate has subsided, but the hourly rate increases have maintained. Clients want quality advice and are willing to pay for it, if it is done efficiently and delivers value. In that regard, Clients will be looking for creative and tested legal advice, with attention to their business and needs. Entering 2024, attorneys should focus on these goals so that they deliver service of high value to their client at reasonable cost. That type of representation will distinguish you from peers and encourage clients to accept your desired rates. 2. A Smaller Globe Either organically or by merger, businesses continue to expand geographically. This trend will continue and potentially accelerate, in 2024. As businesses grow globally, so do their legal needs. Attorneys should continue adapting their experience to the legal needs of clients by following clients’ business and growth trends. In 2024, this means, in part, augmenting your legal network, either within your firm or externally, to serve as an effective and innovative problem solver to clients with a growing global footprint. 3. Generative AI Takes Root In 2023, AI launched onto the scene. In 2024, it will take root. AI’s integration into industries is creating major change—the extent of which we do not know in the short-term. Lawyers should embrace these changes by studying available AI and determining how to use it to enhance their services within the confines of applicable law and ethical rules. AI tools can augment legal research, document review and contract analysis while reducing time and costs. But AI remains the subject of review and critical discussions aiming to assure—among other goals—protection of confidential and privileged information, data privacy, cybersecurity and appropriate internal use of a firm’s historical work product. Attorneys should integrate AI into their practice with care and attention to the responsibilities of our profession, including, but not limited to, maintaining client confidences and providing competent and accurate legal advice. 4. Brands Continue to Count Coming off 2023’s economic headwinds, it is important to develop and maintain a premier brand to protect and accelerate growth. Branding, both in and outside the practice of law, have been shown to enable businesses and professionals to enhance their stature and profitability. Clients have an unprecedented range of potential service providers. With that backdrop, 2024 will likely continue to see branding be an important component of one’s business strategy, particularly branding that embodies those characteristics valued by historical and new desirable clients. 5. Remote Work, Hearings & Office, are Here to Stay COVID-19 brought on both good and bad. Some of the good was the virtual ability to render legal services. As one example, more judges post-pandemic host hearings virtually. Indeed, almost every Fulton County state and superior court judge offers virtual hearings. Virtual hearings increase flexibility for litigants and save clients expenses in reducing lawyer travel time. Law firms, while encouraging in-person work, are more accepting of remote work and often use this flexibility to recruit and retain top talent. We are now multiple years removed from the pandemic and these once newfound norms remain. We should expect them to carry on into 2024. Conclusion The legal trends of 2024 depict a landscape shaped by technological innovations, global connectivity and ethical considerations. As legal professionals adapt to these evolving trends, they must navigate complexities, uphold ethical standards and strive towards a fair, accessible, and sustainable legal system that meets the demands of a rapidly changing world. The fusion of innovation and ethical governance remains central to the ongoing evolution of the legal sphere. We should be mindful of the above legal trends and incorporate them into our practices. Jake Evans is a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, who practices complex business litigation and is the former chairman of Georgia’s State Ethics Commission.
03 Jan, 2024
True the Vote Defeats Fair Fight, Stacy Abrams, Marc Elias, and the Biden Department of Justice in Landmark Election Case in Georgia Federal Court Fair Fight et al v. True the Vote et al | Case No. 2:20-cv-0302-SCJ HOUSTON, TX, January 2, 2024 - True the Vote (TTV) declares a decisive triumph in their legal battle against Stacy Abrams' Fair Fight, legal teams led by Marc Elias, and the Biden Department of Justice. A federal court in the Northern District of Georgia today affirmed that citizens have the right to lawfully petition their government in support of election integrity without fear of persecution or prosecution. In a resounding vindication, TTV successfully defended its actions of December 2020, aiding Georgia citizens in filing elector challenges based on data showing over 364,000 voters appeared to be ineligible to vote due to change in residency. This victory is a testament to every American's constitutional right to free speech and the importance of actively participating in the electoral process. True the Vote President Catherine Engelbrecht affirmed, "Today's ruling sends a clear message to those who would attempt to control the course of our nation through lawfare and intimidation. American citizens will not be silenced.” True the Vote lead attorney Jake Evans stated, “After almost three years of litigation and a two-week federal trial with plaintiff calling 12 witnesses, Judge Steven Jones awarded a complete defense verdict for all defendants. This decision is monumental. It vindicates True the Vote in totality and establishes that eligibility challenges under Section 230 are a proper method to ensure voter rolls are accurate. I am grateful to help achieve this great victory.” Engelbrecht added, "This is an answer to the prayers of faithful patriots across America." True the Vote remains steadfast in its mission to support trustworthy elections and looks forward to assisting citizens in future such lawful efforts. Jake Evans is a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, who practices complex business litigation and is the former chairman of Georgia’s State Ethics Commission.
06 Dec, 2023
Congratulations to those recently passing Georgia’s bar exam! After being sworn in, you will be an attorney at law. While it’s a notable achievement, your career is just beginning. This column outlines tips for freshly minted lawyers to help set the tone for future success and to navigate the ever-moving terrain of the practice of law. Although this column is oriented for our most junior lawyers, we can all benefit from a refresher on tips for growing as an attorney. 1. Embrace a Learning Mindset: Approach your first year with an eagerness to learn. You will soon discover how much you don’t know. Be receptive to feedback, seek guidance from mentors and colleagues and continuously educate yourself on the ever-evolving legal landscape. The harder you work, the faster you will learn. The habit of being eager to learn should persist throughout your legal career. No matter your year level, you can never learn enough. 2. The Devil is in the Details: As a junior attorney, others are relying on you to get the details right. From drafting contracts to conducting legal research, precision is key and, unlike in law school, imprecision has real-world consequences. Develop a keen eye for detail and nuisance. Ensure your work is thorough and accurate. A meticulous approach not only instills your colleagues’ confidence in you, but it also contributes to the success of your cases. One mistake can diminish others’ trust in your work and often will be remembered. 3. Seek Mentorship: Identify mentors that can provide guidance, both on practical skill development and career management. Don’t be afraid to seek out mentors at different stages of their careers—diverse perspectives can maximize the data points and prisms through which you view life. Don’t view mentorship as a one-way street; make sure to offer value to your mentor in every way that you can. 4. Build Good Habits: The importance of building good habits early cannot be overstated. As a new lawyer, you are entering a new environment, physically and mentally. This presents a unique opportunity to build new habit patterns. Be punctual. Be focused. Be hardworking. Be great at everything you do. Building these habits early will put you on a potent professional trajectory. 5. Good Attitude is Key: As a junior attorney, your colleagues are not expecting you to know everything. You have been hired because of your potential and your employer’s benefit in that potential. Don’t have a bad attitude when feedback and constructive criticism is offered. Embracing this feedback is critical to your development. Also working with someone with a bad attitude can be insufferable and offset any of the positive characteristics that a person may have. Embracing feedback with positivity can set you apart. 6. Immerse Yourself: Immersion is the best way to learn a foreign language. Likewise, immersion is the best way to learn the practice of law. Whether it be due diligence or legal research, wholly immerse yourself in your work. Be a sponge, seeking to absorb every piece of information and guidance about the law practice possible. Work late. Go to bar-related events and CLEs. Learn from those that have been successful in law. You will be amazed at the results that will flow from a couple of years of unfettered immersion. 7. Prioritize Professionalism: Starting your career, you are an unknown to many. Your initial years are highly formative to what your brand and reputation will become. It is, thus, important to maintain a high standard of professionalism in all your interactions. Treat clients, colleagues and staff with respect. Uphold ethical standards and demonstrate integrity in your work. Professionalism is not only a reflection of your character, but also a reflection of your firm and colleagues’ character. Cherish and protect that reputation. 8. Enjoy the Journey and Be Patient: No one starts at the top. Mastery takes years of strenuous, focused cultivation and focus. Enjoy the journey of professional development. Each stage has unique joys and difficulties that mold an individual. One day you will reflect on the early stages with appreciation. A favorite quote of mine is that “life is not about waiting for the storms to pass, but learning to dance in the rain.” Don’t wish your professional career away yearning to get to the next level. Enjoy and embrace the journey. Be patient. You will get out of your career what you put into it. The first year as a lawyer is a period of significant growth and adaptation. Congratulations on making it this far. I am excited to see where you will go. Jake Evans is a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, who practices complex business litigation and is the former chairman of Georgia’s State Ethics Commission.
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