This article appeared in Marketing the Law Firm, an ALM/Law Journal Newsletters publication reporting on the latest, and most effective, strategies for Chief Marketing Officers, Managing Partners, Law Firm Marketing Directors, Administrators and Consultants.

The annual review process has begun for associates, partners, of counsel and other timekeepers. This year will be different because of the pandemic so it is more important than ever to build a case for yourself. Even if your firm does not have a formal review process, write a self-evaluation, an annual memorandum or year-end report so it can be taken into consideration at year-end for compensation purposes. Firms have taken a hit due to COVID-19 and some will use this review cycle to pinpoint underperformers and reduce compensation. This is why it's even more important for you to make a case for yourself.

Understand Your Firm's Process

Unless this is your first year of practice, you should know if your firm has a formal performance review system. Most firms of all sizes have an evaluation process for associates. This is the tool they use to determine if an attorney is on track for partnership. Big Law usually has some mechanism to measure their partners, but many smaller firms may not have a structured process for partners. If you are in another category such as counsel or staff attorney there may be no review process at all no matter the size of the firm so, take matters into your own hands by writing your self-evaluation.