For many associates, the ultimate career goal is to become a partner at a prestigious law firm.
The journey is challenging, filled with uncertainty, and often requires a calculated approach to daily decisions. While the path isn’t the same for everyone, there are common traits and strategies that successful partners share. If you’re determined to rise to the top, these five tips, gleaned from speaking to law firm partners, will help you navigate your way there.
One of the first steps to becoming an indispensable member of your firm is finding your niche. Specialization not only differentiates you from your peers, but it also positions you as a go-to expert in your area of law. Once you’ve established your niche, the next step is to fully immerse yourself in your client’s world.
A great lawyer is one who doesn’t just solve problems but anticipates them. “The client needs to know that you are invested in their solution,” says Michael Wilder, Chair of the Board of Directors at Littler.
Ashley Criss, Insurance partner at Wiley, agrees: “Taking ownership of a matter is so important, not only to earn the trust of clients and supervisors, but to truly learn the ropes.”
The ability to build trust and commercial awareness are key qualities firms look for in potential partners. “It is hard and can feel intimidating,” adds Criss, “but leaning in will help you learn so much more than waiting to be asked. And, a major perk of the law firm structure is having supervisors as a safety net at the end of the day.”
David Amidon, partner at Barclay Damon advocates for developing a professional "empathy – putting one's self in the client's position." It fosters in the associate "enhanced judgement and better strategic thinking."
For more on the importance of specialization around a client’s needs, check out this article.
“My peers are the very best resources for tricky legal questions, sticky situations, and finding balance in a high-stress industry.”
Leadership isn’t about competing with your peers; it’s about bringing out the best in them. As you progress in your career, your ability to nurture, delegate, and foster teamwork becomes a critical marker of your readiness for partnership.
Partners often evaluate associates not just on their technical skills but also on how they build relationships within the firm. “A firm is a partnership. We grow together. By investing in each other, we in turn help the entire firm,” Wilder reminds us. Those who collaborate well find the transition to partnership to be a more natural process.
“Friendship has been a critical component of my path to partnership,” reflects Criss. “My peers are the very best resources for tricky legal questions, sticky situations, and finding balance in a high-stress industry. What you put into those relationships is what you’ll get out of them.”
By investing in your colleagues, you’re not only creating a supportive environment, but positioning yourself as a future leader within the firm. Amidon also emphasizes strategic benefits: "Today's colleague can be tomorrow's client or referral source."
Developing a rapport with the partners at your firm is essential. While it might feel intimidating at first, it’s important to remember that partners are human too. The ability to communicate confidently and naturally with senior partners demonstrates your readiness to engage with high-profile clients as well.
“Be genuine, honest, and intentional,” advises Wilder. “Many partners want to mentor associates, but lack of time gets in the way. So, the associate typically has to take the initiative to have the monthly or quarterly conversations.” Not waiting for things to happen to you is a recurring theme here – those seeking partnership should seize the opportunity.
Ashley Criss recommends experimentation to find your groove. “Try to work with a variety of partners to find the type of matters and people you naturally gravitate to. From there, invest in building real relationships. Finding the people and work that fulfills you the most is a true win-win — you’ll be happier in the long run and, in turn, more excited about and invested in growing the firm’s business.”
Echoing these points, Amidon also states what should be obvious to most: "Be reliable without failure (hard to do!) and deliver excellent work."
Cultivating these connections not only helps you learn from their experiences but also positions you as someone they can envision as a future partner. As you become more senior, trust increasingly comes in how you build relationships at a senior level.
Partners are more than just exceptional lawyers; they are also business leaders. This mindset shift—from associate to owner—is crucial for those aspiring to make partner. A way to make the transition to partner a no-brainer is to think about your firm’s commercial fortunes as if they were your own. To begin this, a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) is a great starting place.
But anyone on the partner track won’t just have a grasp of their firm’s capabilities and threats; they will live them out daily. They will consider the impact to costs, they will monitor the competition, they will propose opportunities for growth and execute on them if they can.
Coming to grips with your firm and its commercial position comes with some experience, but from day one, there are a few things all associates can do to show they take their firm seriously, thinks Wilder. “Do great work. Show up to the office. Be a great representative of the firm. Work hard. Stay for the long haul – I have been with my firm for over 18 years.”
Partners want to see that you’re invested in the firm’s success and that you have the vision and initiative to contribute to its growth. This includes being involved in recruiting the future talent of the firm, participating in committees, and showing up to social events.
While technical expertise and business acumen are critical, your ability to connect with people on a personal level is equally important. As a partner, you become the face of the firm, building relationships with clients, fostering trust and, critically, making sure the revenue comes in.
Having a well-rounded life outside of work helps you build rapport and connect with clients on a deeper level. Wilder echoes this: ”You have to learn how to prioritize, and family, friends, and loved ones are a major part of the ‘balance’.”
Taking time for your family, friends and hobbies not only makes you relatable, but it also helps you lead more effectively. Your ability to connect with people across the business world is an important part of building trust in clients and your firm. So being able to sustain a conversation with a GC might seem basic, but it’s a sophisticated sales tool that not everyone can master.
So making sure you have a life outside of work is an essential way to connect with others – to show them you have shared values, interests, or that you have the breadth of life experience to handle any challenge. It also will probably make you a more interesting and well-rounded person.
In the high-pressure world of BigLaw, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for long-term success.
There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for becoming a law firm partner, but these tips can set you on the right path. Remember to:
Lastly, don’t be afraid to seek guidance from the partners at your firm. They can offer invaluable insights into what it takes to succeed in your unique environment. And, as you assess your path, consider whether partnership aligns with your long-term goals. For many, it’s the right choice, but for others, there may be alternative paths that are equally fulfilling.
Whatever your decision, know that Flo is here to support you. With tools and resources designed to empower ambitious attorneys, we’re your ally in building a successful legal career.
Further reading: Becoming a Specialist Lawyer
