Many of the questions laterals should ask of a prospective new firm are obvious and include concerns regarding compensation, client and practice fit, and the firm’s culture. But an important and often neglected area of discussion is how well the firm is organized for, and committed to, business development.
All firms say they are committed to business development. But on deeper inspection, many firms do not invest in and support it at the level necessary to compete successfully in today’s intensely competitive legal marketplace. Understanding the degree to which a firm supports business development should be a key consideration in the lateral’s decision to move to a new firm.
