Show Me the "Promotion"

There are a huge number of talented lawyers who would happily work 3/4 time for 3/4 pay. You would think that by now, some major firm would have figured out how to capitalize on this reality. Instead, we see large firms in all the of the major legal markets rushing to match their competitors in the latest salary wars. There is no significant movement at large firms to address the work/life concerns of lawyers who want to do great work but maintain a life outside of work.

But what about Thelen Reid in California? They've just announced a 2 tiered pay scale which raises starting salaries to $160K for associates willing to commit to 2000 billables but leaves starting salaries at 145K for associates who prefer to bill less.

This sounds like a creative approach and I'm sure some of the partners who proposed this were sincere in their belief that the firm can support different levels of contribution. But given the general track record of law firms on these issues, I think it is a risky career strategy to choose the second tier pay.

if I volunteered for the lower pay scale, I wouldn't necessarily expect to advance to partnership. Along with the policy, Thelan needs to show some success stories that demonstrate that they are truly committed to the multi-tiered approach. If associates who choose "plan B" can still advance to partnership and have influence at the firm, then it makes career sense to consider "plan B" as a viable long-term career option. Otherwise, an associate choosing this option is only speeding up his or her ultimate departure from the firm. Perhaps this a tad cynical; but it comes down to the old adage that "actions speak louder than words."

Dealing With Unrealistic Client Expectations

Personally, I find this to be a challenge, even in the search business. There is a delicate balance between giving a client some "push back" and totally alienating the client in such a way that you lose the engagement. Julie Fleming Brown has some sound advice on the subject.

Getting a Reference from Your 1st (and only) Employer

How do you provide references if you have only worked for one employer? Recruiter Ann Israel writes about that problem here. I have also linked to an article on a related problem of getting references when you've been fired (here).

Are You Living In The Moment?

Life at the Bar linked to this interesting post by Doug Constant. I am always intrigued when I receive reminders to live in the moment as I'm always two steps ahead. This is a real problem area for me. I am ALWAYS thinking of my "to do list" or the next entry on my personal goal worksheet (which resides only in my head, but is ever-present, nonetheless).

I think it's an important lesson to slow down occasionally and just breathe. Doug says, "When you die, there will be two dates on your tombstone: the date of your birth and the date of your death. Those two dates will be separated by a DASH. It is this dash that represents your life. Are you truly Living Your DASH on purpose?"

Read on for Doug's advice on Living your DASH:

Principle 1: You are either living YOUR life or someone else’s. Our society places beliefs on who we should become, how we should act, what we should buy and even how we should dress. Once we make up our mind that we are here to live our own life and not the life our parents, friends, teachers and acquaintances then we can live our own life based on the talents, gifts and passions we know to be.

Principle 2: The people that enter your life are the right people... the good and the bad. Those troublesome people are important reminders of wrong directions, ideas and philosophies. Those few exceptional people remind us they cared enough to be a part of our life. Either situation makes them precisely the right people.

Principle 3: Whatever happens…happens. Accepting this focuses attention and appreciation on the present moment, thereby excluding all of the might-have-beens, should-have-beens and what-ifs. "What is" is the only thing present at the moment. Appreciate that!

Principle 4: Whatever happens is the right time. This is an admonition to take things as they are and when they happen. This is living in the moment and a cardinal prerequisite of Living Your Dash.

Principle 5: When it’s over it’s over. This is basically the flip side of the preceding one. Everything has a beginning, middle and end. All three must be appreciated, most particularly the end when it comes.

The one law is a strange one. It is called The Law of Two Feet. Stated succinctly, if at anytime you find yourself in a situation where you are neither learning nor contributing, use your two feet. Go somewhere else. Do something useful. Live Your Dash. Stay in the moment and don’t get stuck in the moment.

Living in the moment means leaving behind a life of societal status quo, which by definition is the accepted way of doing things. The path of least resistance can be attractive. But by living in the moment you do precisely what you have been gifted to do…take action and therefore Live Your Dash.

Pay Attention to Your Mental State

Career Journal provides some interviewing tips that are worth reviewing. These tips focus on the conventional wisdom about the importance of interview prep. But as I wrote about here, make sure to work on your state of mind before arriving at an interview.

Personally, I think that confidence is the most important thing you can demonstrate at an interview (along with a strong desire to get the job and an ability to be a good listener.) Developing confidence can come in any number of ways. One is to work out at the gym before an important interview. Another is to do some deep breathing to calm your nerves before you walk into the room. If you can find ways to shift to a more positive mindset before an interview, you will improve your performance.

While I am personally a big fan of exercise, you should follow your own interests. If watching reruns of the Sopranos is your therapy, then go to the video store and take out some DVD's. If listening to or playing music is what you enjoy, then do that. The point is simply that mental state counts for a lot. So consider it part of your whole preparation process.

How'm I Doing?

Have you considered this question recently? IMHO, taking your career pulse periodically is a healthy exercise. I have written about this for the BCG website here. I have also previously announced that we now have a free career audit tool on the BCG website which is referenced in the article (click here to go straight to the audit tool.)

Law Firm Associates as Luxury Items?

My colleague Carey Bertolet has some good advice for large firm associates who are in the lateral market. While the price tag for top associates has again gone through the roof, associates with strong credentials should still be careful to not to act like a prima dona during the search. Click here for the whole scoop.