So You Want to Make Law Firm Partner?

For many attorneys, making partner is a major career milestone—if not the major career milestone. Certainly, it affirms that all of your hard work has been in service of something. You put in your hours at law school, you studied hard for the Bar, you did good work at the firm for a few years—and now you’re ready to take things to the next level.

The question is how. And of course, there is no one right or wrong answer here. Different lawyers take different career paths, and not all firms have the same approach to partnership.

With that said, there are some basic principles that all attorneys can keep in mind as they set their sights on making partner.

Best Practices for Making Partner

1. First, know what the firm expects of you. Know what it looks like to make partner. This may include working a certain number of hours each week, doing a certain amount of pro bono work, participating in bar activities, helping to market the firm—really it could mean anything. You can likely find written documentation of these requirements, or if not you can ask a more experienced mentor at the firm. Know what your goals should be, though, and work to achieve—or even to over
2. Create an action plan. Map out the steps you need to take and achievements you need to make in order to qualify for partner, and then create a timeline of when you can make these things happen.
3. Become a marketing expert. Always be promoting yourself and your firm. Learn all you can about bringing in new clients through LinkedIn, Facebook, email, or whatever other marketing avenues you like. Above all, be aware that the firm will want you to bring in new clients!
4. As much as you may not want to hear it, you will need to play the political game a bit. Know who makes partnership decisions at your firm—who’s on the committee and who has sway—and work to build relationships with those people.
5. Make sure you act like someone who is invested in the firm. Be active in brainstorming new ideas, volunteering for committees within the firm, offering your suggestions for strategic improvements, etc.

There is no formula or recipe for making partner at your law firm—but following these steps will certainly ensure you’re heading in the right direction!