Set Your Sights on a Fulfilling Legal Career

Have you ever had a moment in your career where you wanted to run screaming from the building? When you entered the office on a Monday took a look at the work piled on the table and shuddered? I know that all of us at times do work that at best we can tolerate and at worst we despise. While many of us have experienced these moments in our careers, when they become a daily occurrence it is crucial to recognise what they represent: Flashing red lights indicating that action is required to shift your professional practice into more satisfying territory.

If there is one piece of advice I like to share with young lawyers it is this: Don’t settle for anything less than a satisfying legal career. Don’t accept mediocre. Don’t think that salary compensates for 1800 dismal billable hours. It doesn’t.

Here’s what I know: It is absolutely possible to have a fulfilling legal career. It is completely realistic to set your sites on having a legal practice and clients you enjoy. There is something for everyone in this profession. One female associate I know thrives under the pressures and challenges of her large firm. I know lawyers who find they are happiest in small boutique practices, some who are born litigators, and others who are drawn to collaborative family law practice. There are so many options to consider.

The current lacklustre job can be a launch pad to the next opportunity. The fulfilling legal career may not happen overnight. It often takes some navigating to get there. Sometimes it makes sense to clock a few years in a large firm to develop ones legal skills before moving on to other opportunities. Just make sure to use your time at the firm wisely. To paraphrase David Maister: “What you do with your billable hours determines your income this year, what you do with your non-billable hours determines your future. Think of those non-billable hours as investment time.” While you are earning that salary what will be the best moves you can make to invest in your future?

The starting point is to learn from your work experience:

• What is the work you most enjoy?
• What is the work you least enjoy?
• Who are the clients you most enjoy working for?
• Think about your past years of practice and look for the highlights – when were you most enjoying your work?

The next step is to inventory your strengths.

Harold Weinstein, Chief Operating Officer of Caliper Corporation, notes that “over the years our research has shown that there’s a strong correlation between performance and motivation. People who are working in roles that are consistent with their personality, values and interpersonal characteristics generally outperform those who are less well matched—by a ratio of two-to-one.” (From Dr. Larry Richard, Herding Cats: The Lawyer Personality Revealed [PDF])

Some questions to assist you in your personal strength assessment include:

• What comes easily to you? What stimulates your creativity? What do you believe your gifts are in life?
• What are your top interpersonal skills? Are you a good listener? Are you unflinchingly honest? What personal qualities stand out?
• What are your values? What is most important to you?
• What are your professional and personal skills and accomplishments? Are you a good writer? Presenter? Are you detail-oriented or conversely a big picture thinker?
• Who do you know? What personal or business or cultural networks are you a member of our participant in? What community or professional associations do you take part in?

My July 2008 article for Slaw Lead with Your Strengths provides a concise guide to conducting your own strength assessment.

Set some goals. It might be that you want to move to a larger or smaller firm and/or to a different practice area. You may want to work with a different niche industry. Take the time to write your goals down and share them with someone you trust. Then begin looking for the opportunities that will move your plans forward.

Taking action is critical. In my experience one of the best antidotes to stress is taking action. If you are feeling unhappy in your work then committing to taking action every week will immediately make you feel better and help you sleep at night because you know you are taking steps to make the necessary changes.

When it comes to career shifts your wisest time investment will likely fall into three broad areas:

People power – getting out and connecting with people. The opportunities are there in the people we know and who they can connect us to. Whether you are researching new opportunities, seeking to learn more about what it is like to practice in a particular area, or aiming to develop new business, the most important action is to have the opportunity to meet, connect and learn from your colleagues, clients and contacts. Make sure your weekly action list has at least a few one-on-one lunches, coffee dates or phone calls with the relevant people from your network.

Profile raising – if you are planning a shift into a new industry or practice area then you will likely need to invest in some profile raising activities. Writing articles and presenting can be very effective. Review and update your web profile. Attend industry or professional associations and get involved.

Learning – what kind of learning can you do to support your career goals? What magazines and journals might you read? What conferences can you attend? What industry or professional groups should you join? What continuing legal education courses might you take part in?

If you don’t know your best steps forward then consult with a trusted colleague, a mentor, or a coach. Reach out to the people you trust and they will help you to chart your way forward.

It does take courage. Just as it was worth investing all those dollars in your legal education it is equally worth investing your time and energy into getting the legal practice you can enjoy and prosper with.