L-R: Philip Karter,Jennifer Weidler Karpchuk, and Kevin Sweeney of Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Aughtry. L-R: Philip Karter,Jennifer Weidler Karpchuk, and Kevin Sweeney of Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Aughtry.

Advice for the New Partner

In this new column, three shareholders with Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Aughtry answer questions about your partnership goals and what to do once you get there.

Q: I made partner a few years ago and now the pressure to increase my book of business is greater than ever. One of the senior partners suggested recently that I would benefit from seeing a business development coach on a regular basis. This expense would come out of my own pocket, and it seems like something that would be more helpful to an associate—not a partner like me. Is it worth it? 

I don't have to tell you, firms are not very patient these days with partners who don't meet expectations. The legal landscape is filled with once-promising lawyers who fell off the fast track because they couldn't keep up with business development. A coach won't make you a better lawyer, but he will help you sell yourself to clients, which is something we weren't taught in law school.