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How I Made Office Managing Partner: 'Always Be Willing to Work Harder Than the Person Next to You,' Says Esther Cho of Stradley Ronon

"Always be willing to work harder than the person next to you and do the job no one wants to do. Everyone wants to do the work that sounds the most exciting, but when a partner asks associates to do the tedious research, and everyone is looking down at their shoes, the person who raises their hand gets noticed."
6 minute read

Law.com

How I Made Office Managing Partner: 'Don’t Be an Opportunity Killer,' Says Thomas Haskins of Barnes & Thornburg

"Don’t be an opportunity killer. Clients and colleagues alike are looking for people who can help them solve problems—and being that person will open doors. My approach to both business development and advancing within a firm has always been to be the person who leads with 'I’ll find out' in place of 'I don’t know' (three classic opportunity-killing words)."
9 minute read

Law.com

How I Made Partner: 'Take Every Opportunity to Get Involved in the Business Side of the Firm,' Says Alyssa Domzal of Ballard Spahr

"Take every opportunity to get involved in and understand the business side of the law firm, as early as possible. Doing great legal work is a must—and a lot of client relationships are fostered through doing great work—but it’s only part of the story. A law firm is a unique business, and there is a lot to learn, especially for those of us who don’t come from finance backgrounds."
6 minute read

Law.com

How I Made Practice Group Chair: 'Cultivating a Culture of Mutual Trust Is Essential,' Says Gina Piazza of Tarter Krinsky & Drogin

"Finally, and perhaps most importantly, cultivating a culture of mutual trust within your practice is essential. As a leader, you must earn the confidence of every team member while simultaneously placing your trust in them. Your colleagues look to you for guidance, support, and leadership in ways that profoundly influence their professional trajectories and personal lives. By fostering this environment of trust and respect, you create a foundation for sustainable success and meaningful growth, both for your practice and for the individuals within it."
9 minute read

Law.com

How I Made Managing Partner: 'Be the Uniting Voice of the Firm,' Says George Ogilvie of McDonald Carano

"A managing partner’s most important role is to be the uniting voice of the firm to uphold the ultimate responsibility for serving as the protector of the institution’s legacy and future. Throughout my three decades at McDonald Carano, I consistently demonstrate my ability to evaluate and act in a transparent, impartial, objective, and fair manner on behalf of the firm as an institution."
14 minute read

Law.com

How I Made Managing Partner: 'Educate Yourself About Law Firm Economics,' Says Gregory Hessinger of Mitchell Silberberg

"I would advise them to focus on three things: 1) maintain excellence in lawyering, which garners the respect of your partners and the legal industry; 2) spend more time listening in firm meetings than speaking; 3) build meaningful relationships with partners that you can lean into when it comes time to make tough decisions—which occur almost daily in my role; and 4) educate yourself about law firm economics. In my experience, many great lawyers don’t have the time or desire to invest in the latter two items, but anyone interested in a law firm leadership position must make that investment to be successful."
8 minute read

Law.com

How I Made Partner: 'Focus on Being the Best Advocate for Clients,' Says Lauren Reichardt of Cooley

"There were many times I thought that making partner simply wouldn’t be in the cards for me—whether because the process is so competitive or because I didn’t think I was good enough. I would tell my younger self to not distract myself with those thoughts and instead focus on being the best advocate for our clients that I can be."
6 minute read

Law.com

How I Made Practice Group Leader: 'It’s a Job About People, First and Foremost,' Says Alexander Lees of Milbank

"It’s a job about people, first and foremost. You are building, shaping and managing a team, and you have to not only be prepared for people management, but enjoy the interpersonal and social aspects of the role."
7 minute read

Law.com

How I Made Office Managing Partner: 'Be Open to Opportunities, Ready to Seize Them When They Arise,' Says Lara Shortz of Michelman & Robinson

"The best advice I can offer to someone aspiring to lead an office is to be open to opportunities and ready to seize them when they arise. It’s impossible to rise to the occasion when hesitant or shy about stepping forward. Leadership often comes to those who aren’t afraid to take the initiative and embrace new challenges, even when they’re outside their comfort zone."
10 minute read

Law.com

How I Made Partner: 'Your Coworkers Are One of the Most Valuable Assets You Have,' Says Laurel Roglen of Ballard Spahr

"If you’re in the right workplace, you’re part of a team. Everyone you’ll work with should want to see you succeed, and hard work will be recognized. Take every opportunity to challenge and better yourself, and remember that your coworkers are one of the most valuable assets you have."
8 minute read

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